CPU max clock at idle, less than 5% utilization

[Versalin]

Hi all, I have an i7-6700k, which idles at 4 to 4.2 Mhz.

I've enabled C states and also adjusted the power settings to allow CPU clockspeed to go down to 5%.

However, it stays at 4 Mhz still when I leave it idle on desktop. My idle temperatures are fine, averaging around 26 to 29 degrees celsius. I can't find any program that's forcing it to run at full clock speed since CPU usage is sometimes 1 or 0% even at idle.

Is there any tools I can use to diagnose this?

Its bothering me mainly because it makes the system and CPU fan noisy.

 

[bgunner]

Is speed step turned on in the BIOS/UEFI

 

[Versalin]

Is speed step turned on in the BIOS/UEFI

I just checked my bios, I have it enabled, including the Intel Turbo Boost feature.

Should I turn it off?

 

[derekullo]

Try booting into safe mode to see if it still has max clockspeed there.

At least then we could rule out a program causing it.

 

[bgunner]

Speed step allows the CPU to lower its frequency so leave it on.

You may also want to try setting the power profile to balanced or power saver as a test to be sure that your adjustments in the power options are not causing this.

 

[Versalin]

Speed step allows the CPU to lower its frequency so leave it on.

You may also want to try setting the power profile to balanced or power saver as a test to be sure that your adjustments in the power options are not causing this.

Thanks! I switched from performance to balanced power mode and now the clockspeeds at idle go down to 800 Mhz