<Help a Lad Out> Intel 6700k CPU utilization capped at 20%? Am I on drugs?? Does my computer want out the window?? yes

[Milo__]

Hey ya'll,
Within the last month Windows prompted me to update to their newest version with all of the windows defender updates and other useless shenanigans. Whatever. Basically I did it and since around that time any application, video, or process that is cpu intensive runs horridly!

After two weeks of messing with hardware, screwing with my bios, and reinstalling every reinstall-able driver (to no avail) I hit a dead end. So, in my sad corner of defeat, I opened my task manager earlier today, went to the performance tab and noticed something peculiar. At this time I had photoshop rendering a panorama, bridge moving photos, a few chrome tabs up, and rocket league minimized. Guess what my task manager utilization is, capped out at exactly 20%.

WHAT?
After all of my tinkering and it turns out something is capping my cpu's performance and I could have just looked in my task manager?!

What do I do now guys. Need some real answers, none of that check my antivirus/hardware specs stuff. I have new tech, built for gaming that operated 100% perfectly two months ago. What changed and how do I change it back. xd
Here is the only similar post I can find on the internet to my issue. http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3371928/cpu-constant-usage-max-clockspeed.html

 

[Atomicdonut17]

What is your voltage set to in the BIOS?

 

[Milo__]

.

 

[Milo__]

What is your voltage set to in the BIOS?

Whenever I am in-game/using a program, the cpu operates at a maximum of .76 GHz. It ran a bit higher when I opened one, but it runs no higher now. I even closed all of my MSI software tools to no avail. The voltage is set to whatever the stock default is.

 

[kgt1182]

If you use Windows 7/8/8.1/10, go to Control panel, search for Power Options, Change Power Plan, and select High Performance.

If that doesnt work make sure in Advanced Power settings in the power plan, minimum and maximum CPU utilisation/state is at 100%.

If that still doesnt work then download CoreTemp/Hwmonitor and check if its overheating aka past 100°C/212°F. Also download CPU-Z if it is showing the correct clock rate. If clock rate is correct, task manager is reporting wrong clocks and utilisation.
If its overheating, reseat the heatsink with a pea of thermal paste.

If not, hold Shift down while clicking Shutdown. Your PC needs a full shutdown. If that wouldnt work I guess your OS is screwed. Reinstall OS.

 

[Milo__]

If you use Windows 7/8/8.1/10, go to Control panel, search for Power Options, Change Power Plan, and select High Performance.

If that doesnt work make sure in Advanced Power settings in the power plan, minimum and maximum CPU utilisation/state is at 100%.

If that still doesnt work then download CoreTemp/Hwmonitor and check if its overheating aka past 100°C/212°F. Also download CPU-Z if it is showing the correct clock rate. If clock rate is correct, task manager is reporting wrong clocks and utilisation.
If its overheating, reseat the heatsink with a pea of thermal paste.

If not, hold Shift down while clicking Shutdown. Your PC needs a full shutdown. If that wouldnt work I guess your OS is screwed. Reinstall OS.

I've talked to MSI tech support. It turns out, on all Z170 boards the integrated slow mode switch is a POS and has a history of failing at anytime. I need to rma the board, but until I can, my temporary solution is to disable in my bios the "Intel Adaptive Thermal Monitor" and just have my pc run at 100% utilization instead of the down clocked 19% utilization. To combat the heat I have all fans at 100% so the cpu only gets to around 40 Celcius (~100 F) idle and 49 Celcius (~120 F) in heavy load.