How do I reduce the CPU frequency

[rosphite1]

I've got an Asus ITX motherboard with an i7 4790K. It runs on the stock fan that came with it. It was never meant to be overclocked. It was just for a desktop everyday computing excel-word etc... I've noticed that recently the fan is roaring and the temps are very high close to 100 oC. Installing the CPUID showed that the clock speed was always at 4300MHz. I've managed to get this down to 4000MHz by turning off the "Turbos" in the Bios. But the temps are still quite high see:

http://screencast.com/t/DnppYfNIt

Is it possible to manually limit the CPU clock speed to something lower than 4000MHz e.g. 3000Mhz to see if the temps will fall?

Or would anyone have any alternative suggestions??

 

[xXCrossfireXx]

I highly don't suggest it, but the CPU stock fan is terrible at cooling. Here's how to do it:

First, read your motherboard manual to figure out where the overclocking settings are.

Next, go to the overclocking settings.

After that, click on CPU Multiplier, and turn it down somewhere from 38-35 (3.8 GHz to 3.5 GHz)

Finally, if you're going to keep the CPU like this, turn the voltage down and run a stress test to make sure the amount of voltage is stable.

 

[rosphite1]

Thanks xXCrossfireXx, if I go with the suggestion not to reduce the clock speed could you suggest an adequate cooler that will fit in the iTX box - I had a look inside and it's fierce tight for space?

I highly don't suggest it, but the CPU stock fan is terrible at cooling. Here's how to do it:

First, read your motherboard manual to figure out where the overclocking settings are.

Next, go to the overclocking settings.

After that, click on CPU Multiplier, and turn it down somewhere from 38-35 (3.8 GHz to 3.5 GHz)

Finally, if you're going to keep the CPU like this, turn the voltage down and run a stress test to make sure the amount of voltage is stable.

 

[pm4]

Or other option is to visit power options in OS (assuming you are using Windows, not sure if / where is such option in other OS).

Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Power Options

There you can choose "Change plan setting" for plan you wish to alter. On next screen click on "Change advanced power settings" and here you are interested in "Processor power management" where you can set minimal and maximal % at which should your CPU run.
This will effectively limit CPU frequency (once I had to fix laptop which had these set to something like 20-30% by bug of some software from laptop manufacturer and was constantly running at max 800 Mhz).

Edit:
While you are there check if you don't have minimal processor state at 100% if you do just lower it to 5% or even 0, there is no point to use max frequency when not needed.

Ofc if you do this, there is no point to have such CPU so best would be getting some silent cooler. I would look into Noctua brand, they make high quality, near silent coolers in many forms/sizes so I'm sure you can find some small cooler which will be good for you. Pretty much any cooler of theirs will do, only problem is they are little on expensive side.

 

[Nick_50]

I think the most important issue is what is making your CPU stick at the maximum frequency all the time? This shouldn't be happening under general usage. What is using all your CPU in the task manager?

 

[xXCrossfireXx]

Adequate cooler? The Hyper 212 EVO is perfect for you, it's quiet and can sufficiently cool the 4790k with a bit of overclocking room in fact. But one thing to note, there are some cheaper alternatives that you can check out here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2705157/alternatives-hyper-212-evo-budget-cooling.html

I can't guarantee they're as quiet, but these alternatives still do a good job.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I'd say - that most likely cpu cooler is improperly secured and also
too much thermal paste has been used.

And check your BIOS for Intel Enhanced Speed Step Technology (EIST) setting. Enable it.
If it's disabled, power saving features will not kick in.

 

[dumb_man]

Also check your CPU usage when your PC is idle for over 5 minutes and with only Windows (and no other software) running

If its over 50% constantly then you may need to scan your PC for malware or viruses.

 

[Ecky]

The 4790K is probably the only Intel CPU in recent history that doesn't do very well with the stock cooler. As others have suggested, you can lower clocks a bit by turning the CPU down to maybe 80-90% in Windows Power Options. Better would be to go into bios and lower voltage a bit.

I don't normally recommend people invest in aftermarket coolers, but a 4790K is one of the few that I would recommend that for.

 

[rosphite1]

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions.
pm4: I tried your suggestion and reduced the processor minimal. This certainly reduced the temp but for a 50% reduction temp dropped by 20oC. to the late 70oC range. However the computer became very very sluggish. I raised the minimum and the temp raised rapidly which hit the usual high 90s (oC) at 75%.
The minimal processor state was set to 5%.

Nick_50: I spent some time trying to find the cause. Google Chrome appears to be one of the heaviest users/processes. I have an almost identical build but with an i5 4690K (unclocked) that is used for the exact same type of general processing. And has the same programs running on it. That machine is almost perfectly silent. The i7 was always a little louder but now it's very loud. Hence, I want to try to bring the temp down now before any damage occurs.

SkyNetRising: the securing of the fan could be a cause so if i'm going to tanper with it by taking it off I thought I'd be best to put on something better. However you mention too much thermal paste. Those stock coolers on the i5 and the i7 came with their own paste - one just had to stick them on and twist the clips

dumb_man: I ran several anti virus programs on it as a first attempt at a fix but nothing came up

Regarding the cooler options - there is very little space in the iTX build - the current stock cooler just fits into it
http://screencast.com/t/7YqZgz0ajQ
and that is about 10cm by 10cm - would the suggestions above fit into that space (the Hypo says its 16cm x8cmx12cm

 

[Ecky]

Processor minimum frequency should be 5%. Are you running "balanced", or "high performance"?

If you wanted an aftermarket cooler, a Noctua NH-L9i would be an improvement, if a small one. It should fit, and isn't too expensive.

EDIT:

 

[rosphite1]

Thanks Ecky,
It's at Balanced

Processor minimum frequency should be 5%. Are you running "balanced", or "high performance"?

If you wanted an aftermarket cooler, a Noctua NH-L9i would be an improvement, if a small one. It should fit, and isn't too expensive.

EDIT:

 

[rosphite1]

Thanks again to everyone. I've installed a Noctua NH-L9i and all appears to be working great

http://screencast.com/t/BNboZCy2ebjV

To test it out I turned on the Turbos in the Bios (i'm not sure if that is a test but it's all I'm capable of) and loaded every application that I would be running. The temp results appear to be great - running at low 40oC most of the time and never going above the late 50oC's once it has booted everything up.

http://screencast.com/t/SSBoX2ds

Noise wise - it runs with a pleasant purr - never changing regardless of what it is doing

I hope this is useful to others - thanks again everyone

Processor minimum frequency should be 5%. Are you running "balanced", or "high performance"?

If you wanted an aftermarket cooler, a Noctua NH-L9i would be an improvement, if a small one. It should fit, and isn't too expensive.

EDIT: