Question 9600K 's operating frequencies alternate between 3.7 and 4.6GHz

[BY66]

I use HWiNFO and found the frequencies fluctuate between the base clock speed and the turbo speed. But I was just using the brower and the browser only.

Is that because I ramped up the RAM modules frequency by enableing XMP_1 in the BIOS leading to the raised CPU clock speed?

I wasnt gaming at all!

 

[sizzling]

Sounds like it just did not need full boost speed all the time, this is normal.

 

[BY66]

You mean there is no settings required to keep it at base clock when not playing games and activate turbo clock when playing games?

 

[sizzling]

You mean there is no settings required to keep it at base clock when not playing games and activate turbo clock when playing games?

No, you have no control. It is all automatic based on BIOS configuration, temperature and power usage.

 

[TerryLaze]

But I was just using the brower and the browser only.

Browsers can run javascript or adds that will cause heavy single thread load capable of causing the CPU to boost.
You can use power settings from windows to limit the maximum clocks if you want,even better is using intel extreme tuning utility which lets you make profiles for different scenarios that will be enforced automatically so you won't have to change it manually all the time.

 

[mdd1963]

it will boost to what is needed; there is no need to run sustained 4.6 GHz to run Chrome or Solitaire...(you'd typically see 1200-2400 Mhz under such a load, and , 1200-1500 MHz when reading forums, etc...)