FX-8320 core randomly spike to 4GHz. Why?

[TechGuy45]

Ok, so since I got my new processor, the fx-8320, my overall cpu temps have risen about 10-20 degrees C. My idle is anywhere between 16 degrees to 29 degrees. I found it odd that it would hit 30 and so i opened Core Temp just to make sure everything was running at what it should be. I OCed my 8320 from its stock 3.5GHz to 3.7GHz, which is easily within its OC range. However, after looking at the individual core clocks i noticed that on a regular basis, my first core would go from 3.7GHz to 1.4GHz, only for about a quarter of a second at a time, and randomly, a core would jump to 4GHz. Again, this would only happen for about a quarter of a second and go back to the normal 3.7GHz. However, what scared me was the voltage change. Normally, the VID is at 1.3625v and would jump to 1.4250v. I dont know if this is normal or I should do something. If someone could please respond with a helpful answer, I would be most gracious. Thanks in advance.

 

[PandaButtonFTW]

its normal. it will boost up when it's doing something, and scale back when it's pretty much idle. (my 2600k does the exact same thing.... and so does every chip ive ever used actually xD)

 

[CTurbo]

4.0ghz is the 8320's stock turbo speed. 1.4ghz is one of it's low power states. It's normal.

 

[slyu9213]

Well there is thing called Turbo Boost that both Intel and AMD have. CPUs have their baseclock which for the FX 8320 is 3.5GHz. Without any energy saving settings enabled a CPU would stay at 3.5GHz but with Turbo Boost enabled the CPU will boost up to 4GHz when the CPU thinks it seems fit/needed. Raising CPU speeds usually needs an increase in voltage so what you see is normal.

If you turn off Turbo Boost in the BIOS that will stop the voltage increase to the 1.4250V. Turning it off also makes your CPU go to 3.5GHz max instead of the 4GHz and the speeds between. Cool&Quiet which is usually enabled to begin with downclocks the CPU to ~1.4GHz when the PC is at idle or the CPU/PC does not need to be running the CPU at higher speeds. A good way to keep 4GHz but not have temp jumps due to increase in voltage would be to disable Turbo Boost, and then try to OC the 8320 to be 4GHz on stock voltages. If you can get 4GHz stable with stock voltages with Cool&Quiet enabled your voltages would not jump to 1.425V (no heat increase) and the CPU would stay at low speeds unless you needed the CPU power. If you want a simple answer just disable turbo boost if you don't need the CPU to run higher than 3.5GHz