Question CPU thread not "usable"

C1rm0ska

Prominent
Jan 17, 2023
194
5
585
Hello guys!
I ran a test just to show how my CPU isn't using one of it's threads.

image.png



Also, it's not overheating.
image.png


I couldn't make it more visible, but even in MSI Afterburner, it says that one of the threads is NOT being used.
image.png

I thought it was just a task manager bug, but it's affecting the cinebench scores.

My specs:
CPU: I5-11400F
Mobo: TUF Gaming B560M-Plus WIFI
RAM: Corsair 32GB KIT DDR4 3600MHz
 
Why is this happening?
Are you using any software that is designed to enhance game performance? Some programs like that can alter what cores and threads of the CPU are being used. The first thread might be reserved for some unknown reason. Process Lasso is another program that can assign tasks to specific cores.

Can you post an image of ThrottleStop 9.6 while the CPU is loaded running Cinebench?

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-throttlestop/

ThrottleStop uses a different method compared to most monitoring utilities when reporting CPU usage. You can double click on its monitoring table so it displays all 12 threads. I am curious to see what it shows.

When Cinebench is running, go to the Task Manager Details tab, right click on Cinebench.exe and check the Affinity of this task. Check to see if it is being allowed by Windows to run on All Processors.

BfBQ5Ip.png


Check to see if you are using the latest BIOS version that is available for your motherboard.
 

C1rm0ska

Prominent
Jan 17, 2023
194
5
585
Are you using any software that is designed to enhance game performance? Some programs like that can alter what cores and threads of the CPU are being used. The first thread might be reserved for some unknown reason. Process Lasso is another program that can assign tasks to specific cores.

Can you post an image of ThrottleStop 9.6 while the CPU is loaded running Cinebench?

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-throttlestop/

ThrottleStop uses a different method compared to most monitoring utilities when reporting CPU usage. You can double click on its monitoring table so it displays all 12 threads. I am curious to see what it shows.

When Cinebench is running, go to the Task Manager Details tab, right click on Cinebench.exe and check the Affinity of this task. Check to see if it is being allowed by Windows to run on All Processors.

BfBQ5Ip.png


Check to see if you are using the latest BIOS version that is available for your motherboard.
Hello
No, I am not using any software that is designed to that.

In Processor affinity, all of them were picked as default.


image.png



I'm gonna check if the BIOS is updated to the newest version in just a moment

- Edit:
Latest BIOS update is installed
 
Last edited:
@C1rm0ska
I have never seen this issue before. Very odd that only half of the first core is being used and yet the first thread is not completely dormant. Do you have any idea when this first started to happen? It looks like a bug within the CPU where tasks are not being scheduled equally on both threads of the first core. You can also try running the ThrottleStop TS Bench test with that set to 12 Threads.

Try enabling Speed Shift Technology in the BIOS. When this is enabled you should see SST in green on the main ThrottleStop screen. This technology is designed so the CPU can manage its speed instead of Windows. I doubt it will make any difference but I cannot think of anything else that might fix this.

1oOQueA.png
 

C1rm0ska

Prominent
Jan 17, 2023
194
5
585
@C1rm0ska
I have never seen this issue before. Very odd that only half of the first core is being used and yet the first thread is not completely dormant. Do you have any idea when this first started to happen? It looks like a bug within the CPU where tasks are not being scheduled equally on both threads of the first core. You can also try running the ThrottleStop TS Bench test with that set to 12 Threads.

Try enabling Speed Shift Technology in the BIOS. When this is enabled you should see SST in green on the main ThrottleStop screen. This technology is designed so the CPU can manage its speed instead of Windows. I doubt it will make any difference but I cannot think of anything else that might fix this.

1oOQueA.png
Uhm yeah, I have found the issue. I had SpeedStep enabled in the BIOS and somehow it screwed up something in the CPU or I don't know. I turned it off and the CPU works now, how it should be.