CPU throttling question/help??

[Stevetank1130]

I've noticed at idle in CPU-Z and ADA64 that my cpu multiplier is constantly changing. Even at 1% cpu usage it changes from 11x to 47x and any where in between every half second. I've set the power limits in Windows 8 Pro power plan to 5% minimum and all my C states are enable yet it continues to fluctuate wildly. Is this normal?? Or did I miss a setting?? I've included some screen shots of my settings for review any comments are greatly appreciated!! You guys are great thanks!!

[Delitus]

This behaviour is normal if C-states are enabled; the idea is to reduce clock frequency and voltage when the CPU is not doing much work, in order to reduce power consumption and heat output. If you want the CPU to maintain a constant multiplier, then you must turn off the C-states. In practical usage scenarios though, there is no real benefit to doing so, as load performance will remain the same.

[HiVizMan]

Could you go into control panel and set your power plan to default please. Tell me if that makes any change at all. Use the right click Personalise and screen saver navigation to get to the change power settings from desktop please.

[Arne_Saknussemm]

That behaviour is normal, yes. Idle is a misnomer really because your PC will almost certainly be doing a thousand things a second in the background.....windows services, anti virus etc etc are always running so while the CPU is "idle" i.e. not doing anything you specially told it to like running a program or a game etc. it is far from doing nothing at all.

The spikes you are seeing are these background processes....while the 1% is like the value for user launched programs....or simply an average over a longer timespan than the peaks of activity occur at....

[Melting_Point]

As a side note, you might want to look into offset mode for VCore. In a nutshell, it lowers the VCore as it lowers the Freq. You really don't need 1.38V VCore when it's only clocking at 1200MHz.

[Stevetank1130]

I'll try my default power plan this eve after work and see if that makes a difference and let you know. As for the offset mode what should I set it at?? Use a positive offset of 0.5 was what I was thinking after reading your post unless I'm misunderstanding how it works?? Please take me to school on the subject if you don't mind 🙂

[Arne_Saknussemm]

I wouldn't try +0.5......you want another 0 in there.

Have a read of this guide http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?2162-Overclocking-Using-Offset-Mode-for-CPU-Core-Voltage&co...

and then try numbers like 0.005+0.01, 0.015...

[rjbarker]

In order to "stabilize" my 3930K @ 4.7Ghz, required Offset +.045v, I started at +.09v and worked down in .005v increments until unstable, then back up +.005v 🙂
Use CPU-Z to check vCore under load and monitor temps as well. btw I used to always OC using the standard manual method and applying Vcore as you did, but I'll never go back after learning offset method.

[sandro_c]

Hi Stevetank, Hi Arne,
I think I understand the problem that our friend Stevetank1130 complains because it happened to me during the research of my Ovlclk stable: I remember that it was impossible to read on CPUZ frequency and multip. due to its fast update that was specified as greater than 2 readings per sec.
Certainly as Arne says, even when the PC does nothing (0-1%) .. makes thousands of things and there will be many quaindi fast spike on multip. but I think it can be shown that by CPUZ for small changes will make a media. Currently My 3930K idle showing 1-4% utilization (use a heavy sidebar!) But my multipl. has slow variations of more than 2-5 sec to the point that I can always read the factor multip. and not how it happened to me a few months ago and now Stevetank1130.
Only problem, I'm sorry but I do not remember how I avoided the problem by lowering the multipl ... maybe. and therefore the ovlclk or DIGI + .. certainly acting from bios. Sorry if there are liked, I just wanted to say that in my experience it does not seem normal.
Ciao
sandro c

[Stevetank1130]

Thanks for the recommendations on the guide. I tried a few settings last night but evidently was way to high. I used +0.0275 and when the cpu throttled up vCore was approaching 1.65!! Evidently something is skewing my vid tables. I'll have to be more meticulous in going back through my settings. I am def new to the offset overclocking however I see the potential you guys are referring too. Any pointers are greatly appreciated as always or references to guides and reading materials as well.

Sandro c - if you happen to remember anything about how you solved you issue please let me know and thanks for your help!!!

If any of you would mind letting me know what your vCore was hitting around 4.7 when your cpu throttles up I would appreciate it as a point of comparrison. Thanks!!!!