Windows 10: Task Manager reporting extreme fluctuating CPU Frequencies

TL;DR CPU being displayed between 4.4 and 6.8 GHz


Task Manager is showing my CPU frequency as 3.20 in the headline under the Performance tab:


Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3930K CPU @ 3.20GHz


Which is the default speed of the CPU. So far so good.


But the realtime display varies between 4.40 GHz to 6.83 GHz.


HWinfo says it is 4.6 GHz which is what I have it OC'ed at.


My processor would fry if were at 6.8 GHz


PC works fine but would be nice if Task Manager also worked correctly


TL;DR CPU being displayed between 4.4 and 6.8 GHz

:)

 

Overclock cpu max frequency constantly changing in task manager

Hi,

I'm overclocking my Intel 8700k to 5Ghz and every time I check the current frequency in task manager the max is constantly changing. I have high-performance power settings on windows enabled and I have also disabled CPU state and Intel SpeedStep in the BIOS.
I also noticed that when using other tools to display my GPU and CPU performance they show my CPU max frequency is exactly 5Ghz, why does Task Manager constantly display a constantly changing frequency?

Any suggestions?

Much appreciated

 

Overclock cpu max frequency constantly changing in task manager

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I appreciate the time and efforts to work on the issue.

As per the description, I understand that Task manager displays constant change in CPU frequency. As you have already disabled Intel Speed Step, I suggest you to get in touch with the motherboard manufacturer.

You can also post your query in the
TechNet forum.

Hope it helps.

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

Why the cpu frequency shows differently in Win10 task manager and system properties?

Your CPU is an 'Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4300I CPU @ 1.90GHz' with '@ 1.90GHz' as a part of that name. Which means that the processor's base frequency1 of your CPU is 1.90 GHz. But here the CPU is telling the system that it's running at 2.63GHz.

For some other CPU's I would have said its overclocked, but your CPU model has a feature known as Turbo Boost2 which enables it to automatically overclock to a higher yet safe frequency based on certain conditions.

The Turbo Boost frequency for your CPU is 2.90 GHz, which means your CPU can attain that frequency under certain conditions but is currently running at 2.63GHz.

Also, Windows calculates the max frequency of your CPU to be 2.50GHz as different algorithms are used to measure processor speed. For example, the algorithm used by Intel in its branded maximum speed is different than the algorithm used by Task Manager to directly measure the speed of the CPU. You can use other processor utilities, such as the Intel Processor Identification Utility or CPU-Z, for additional processor speed measurements.

Also note that Hyper-V as well as VMware is reported to interfere with the clock speed calculation of Task Manager.

I'd stick with CPU-Z for measuring CPU frequency as it's calculation algorithm is much better.

Notes:

1. Processor Base Frequency describes the rate at which the processor's transistors open and close. The processor base frequency is the operating point where TDP is defined. Frequency is measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.
   
2. Intel® Turbo Boost Technology accelerates processor and graphics performance for peak loads, automatically allowing processor cores to run faster than the rated operating frequency if they’re operating below power, current, and temperature specification limits. Whether the processor enters into Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and the amount of time the processor spends in that state depends on the workload and operating environment.
   

Sources:

1. https://goo.gl/obtiWG
   
2. https://goo.gl/MUtlOr
   
3. https://goo.gl/a9Ga3h
   
4. https://goo.gl/FotxKq