CPU not running at full clock

[dragonreborn2k6]

Recently, I started having some overheat trouble. After having my system for a couple years with very nice running temps, the effects were noticeable. Especially since it was causing lock-ups/shutdowns.

Opening it up, I discovered an oily substance on the motherboard. (MSI 970 Gaming) With a bit of research, it seems as if this is linked to CPU issues, so I went ahead and ordered a replacement motherboard. (Same model.)

Got the new board. Got in installed. CPU is running at 18*c.

Only it's running at 1.38 Ghz.

This is an AMD FX-8320 octa-core, with a 3.8 GHz core speed.

After looking for a solution to this puzzle all day, I found (via CPUID) that the multiplier is only at 7. This should be 17.5. BIOS states a multiplier of 17.5.

Windows says it's 3.8 GHz under the system menu.

Novabench also reports 1.38 clock speed.

I've got 16GBs of memory. This system has been running since I built it with no changes. I've already set power profile to High, etc. No cores are parked. Drivers are up-to-date. Windows has been reinstalled.

It works fine for internet. But then again, so does the Intel Celeron 2.4 GHz machine I got sitting in the closet.

I go to try and run a game, and the cpu issue is extremely noticeable. The game wants 2.0 GHz, minimum, so that's understandable.

Any ideas? I would like to solve this quickly, as I do have a grace period on the motherboard where I can get my money back. If this turns out to be a fried CPU, then I'll need to take advantage of that and start saving to build a new PC.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Shektron]

Have you tried updating the BIOS? Get the latest BIOS from the motherboard manufacturers site. Perhaps the replacement board came with an older BIOS, so updating might improve things. You could also try overclocking the chip by increasing the multiplier, if the motherboard supports it(your temps are good enough for some overclocking).

 

[dragonreborn2k6]

I've updated the BIOS, even though it had the latest BIOS revision on it already.
Not sure how overclocking would help, since it's currently running so far below what it should be. I could give it a try, I suppose. But on default, it shouldn't need overclocked. 1.38 is a lot less than 3.8

 

[ElectrO_90]

You should mention the motherboard you have.

 

[Shektron]

Download and run AIDA64 and check for thermal throttling, maybe the temps being reported aren't correct.

 

[ElectrO_90]

He is telling you to OC it because you are then putting in a MANUAL speed rather than an Automatic one.
The OC doesn't have to be huge, just 1 more than the original.

 

[dragonreborn2k6]

You should mention the motherboard you have.

I did. MSI 970 Gaming. It's in the OP.

 

[dragonreborn2k6]

I tried changing the multiplier. Confirmed as changed. Windows reports a faster speed. CPUID still reports only a 7 multiplier. No change.
I'd already set it to manual earlier, on the default. MSI has "Overclock Genie" which can do automatic stuff. I'll try AIDA64

EDIT: AIDA64 doesn't do anything that the other diagnostic tools I have doesn't already do. Spending another $40 to get the some info as CPU-Z or Hardware Monitor doesn't really jive with me. Both of those programs report the same results. Novabench reports the 1.38 clock speed. Everything reports the same temperatures.

 

[ElectrO_90]

Maybe the chip has been damaged somehow - obviously, you don't want that to be the case.
Any other way you can check the cpu in someone elses computer?

 

[Shektron]

I tried changing the multiplier. Confirmed as changed. Windows reports a faster speed. CPUID still reports only a 7 multiplier. No change.
I'd already set it to manual earlier, on the default. MSI has "Overclock Genie" which can do automatic stuff. I'll try AIDA64

EDIT: AIDA64 doesn't do anything that the other diagnostic tools I have doesn't already do. Spending another $40 to get the some info as CPU-Z or Hardware Monitor doesn't really jive with me. Both of those programs report the same results. Novabench reports the 1.38 clock speed. Everything reports the same temperatures.

AIDA has a free trial, use that. And the temperature could be wrong on all the applications because of the sensor on the CPU itself being faulty, so if the chip is thermal throttling then AIDA can tell you that, which I'm not sure any other stress test does or not.

 

[madmatt30]

There's a physical switch on that board that locks it's clocks to minimum - it's there as a backup to get out of failed overclocking attempts.


Front of board below the main 24 pin header , just above the case fan header.

Flick it the other way while the system is off & see if it makes a difference.
I believe down is the default for full clock speeds.