CPU Idle Clock, Voltage and Temperature Concerns — Warranty Says It’s Normal?

[Qyueeon]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to get your opinion on my ASUS ROG Strix laptop’s CPU behavior.

While idle, the CPU clock speed fluctuates between 2000 MHz and 4000 MHz, and the voltage can go up to 1.4 V. Despite being idle, the CPU temperature sometimes reaches 70°C.

Also, on the main screen, the CPU usage shows around 11%, but when I check with monitoring software, it’s about 5%.

I sent the laptop for warranty service, but they told me this is normal.

Is this really within normal ranges? Does anyone else experience similar idle voltages, temperatures, and CPU usage on their machine? Any advice or experience would be appreciated!

Note:

When I first got the laptop, the idle CPU usage was around 5%, but now it shows about 11% on the main screen.

Thanks!

[ElectroStingz]

Hello,

It would help to know the exact laptop model specs and CPU.

[Qyueeon]

I9 14900hx

rtx 4090 I use it in performance mode.

can it make this happen. CPU clock thing 

[ElectroStingz]

So yes most of what you are describing is normal, the CPU has 8 Performance Cores and 16 Efficient Cores.

I'll just focus on the P-Cores to make this explanation easier, by design these are rated 2.2GHz and can boost 1 or 2 P-Cores up to 5.8GHz. This feature is known as Boosting and Intel pack a few different ones in this CPU.

Turbo Boost
Turbo Boost 3.0
Thermal Velocity Boost
Adaptative boost Technology

The way these works are different and all have different roles in an attempt to maximise the CPU's performance depending on what's going on / the CPU usage, Gaming, running code, rendering a video on the CPU...

And it also has some power saving features so that when the CPU is not really being loaded it cuts back on the Frequencies. So typically in Windows the CPU will hover at the lowest possible frequency unless the cores are being used.

What you need to know is that when the cores are used, doesn't matter what for, opening a file, folder... they will attempt to boost. When this happens the Core frequency jumps and with that it will need to up the Voltage, as it needs more to run faster. Boost is extremely dynamic as in the CPU is actively doing this all the time and often only for milliseconds but the way it works means the CPU's Power consumption can jump in the blink of an eye, with that comes almost instantaneous temperature fluctuations.

You can easily see the CPU temperature jump from 50 to 70+ in a mouse click, same for cooling down it will drop quite rapidly. With laptops the cooling mode and airflow has a massive impact on this as if the airflow / fans are in silent mode the CPU temperature can rise quicker Vs if the fans were full blast.

Allowing the CPU to boost all the way to 5.8GHz will see larger temperature spikes and that is normal if you leave it like that.

As to the CPU usage readings 5% vs 11% it depends on what is being used to calculate this, some programs go by the actual Core usage, others go by the Core usage / number of threads, some go for the average across all the cores...

Those 8 Performance cores in some programs will show as 16 Cores due to Hyper Threading, Intel's method to make 1 core try to run 2 threads at the same time, so Windows can see this as 16 Cores instead of 8. So like for like if one program measured usage on 8 cores and another on 16, there will be a difference of almost half, one will read 5%, the other 10%. (or close). Maybe that's what you are seeing, the difference in the program / software's ability to calculate based on cores / Hyper threading.

If you want to lower temperatures there are methods and things to do but check this out for some further information and temperatures on the 14900HX with a G16 laptop.

https://www.electrostingz.com/2025/01/asus-rog-strix-g16-gaming-laptop-is-it-overheating-part-2

https://www.electrostingz.com/2025/06/how-to-check-laptop-cooler-performance-intel

If anything doesn't make sense or you are not sure, ask anything, I 'll explain and try to help if I can.

EDIT, you mention differences in idle when new compared to now, use Windows Task manager to view and how does it compare?

[Qyueeon]

Can you explain the cpu clock mhz problem too please

[ElectroStingz]

This part, what I was trying to say.

----------
What you need to know is that when the cores are used, doesn't matter what for, opening a file, folder... they will attempt to boost. When this happens the Core frequency jumps and with that it will need to up the Voltage, as it needs more to run faster. Boost is extremely dynamic as in the CPU is actively doing this all the time and often only for milliseconds but the way it works means the CPU's Power consumption can jump in the blink of an eye, with that comes almost instantaneous temperature fluctuations.
----------

When idle the CPU is still working so any small activity in a process, Windows background tasks, anything that uses the CPU will cause it to go from a lower power state to a higher power state. Base clock to boost clock momentarily so it will often go from 2000 to 4000+

If you watch the task manager your CPU is always doing something, even network activity / wifi connection will cause it to spike. Downloads in the background, virus scans...

When doing nothing the CPU tries to stay as low as possible but interruptions due to many programs running cause it to spike.

[Qyueeon]

No it go from 4000 to 2000

[ElectroStingz]

If the CPU is doing something then goes to doing nothing, it will be 4000 to 2000?

When idle it's aiming for as low as possible, but if your laptop has stuff going on it will never sit at 2000, you will see it jumping all over the place. 

Are you able to describe what it is you see in more detail, that way I can explain further. 

And why do you feel it's not working correctly, I assume you had a PC / laptop previously and something was different?

[ElectroStingz · Accepted solution]

I tried to make a video, used my phone to minimise the load on the CPU (recording software would impact this)

https://youtu.be/wIf32_MNqmw?feature=shared

In Windows Task manager it reports higher as it is delayed and also takes an average over time.

Hardware monitor is more direct and accurate.

So you see my CPU lowest is 2094MHz but it never sits at 0% CPU usage which means the CPU is always active. Depending on this activity it will jump then go back to 2094MHz.

I also start clicking my mouse button to bring up a Windows Menu, that sees it jump to 40%, then 20% and the CPU frequency also goes up.

Is this what you are seeing on your laptop?

Note, I have changed my CPU settings so its slightly different on the voltages and frequencies but the workings are the same.

[Sigbiorn]

These temperatures arent normal and if they say it they are most likely dummies and should not work at this place.

Normal temps are for example 85 degree in peak gaming without cooling pad in normal room. Liquid metal is poorly applied by assembly. While your cpu reaches 95 degree, it will limit its performance to the ground thats why u can get drops from 150fps to 60 and even lower. Especialy when they promote their cooling system as one of the best in laptops. Its propably good but with right application. 

You should not get undervolting by external programs at brand new machines and even under warranty.