[SOLVED] i5 8400 Always running at 3.9ghz

[nigeloproctor]

I have this weird...thing...going on with my cpu, I really recently purchased a Z370 A-PRO and an i5 8400, and for some weird reason, no matter what im doing even if im in the motherboard bios, it always runs at 3.8-4ghz. Its super weird, I know the base speed of this processor is 2.8ghz but it's turbo so it can fluctuate between 2.8 and 4, but it never goes below 3.8. Ive read other forums with people who had the same problem and people just said it has to do with the specific motherboard you get, and that it isn't a problem.

I really have no idea whether its good or bad. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated
Again Im using an MSI Z370 A-PRO 8gb ddr4 2400mhz ram, gtx 1070 SC2, i5 8400 2.8-4ghz turbo, western digital 1TB Hard drive, and 500w PSU.

 

[volkgren]

I think MSI has an Enhanced Turbo feature in bios. You can try disabling it and see what happens. I've only used it on unlocked K-series CPUs and it would force turbo to max boost across all cores. It would still downclock when idle though.

 

[TJ Hooker]

Make sure windows is in balanced power mode, and possibly that Intel speed step/shift is enabled in the bios.

 

[nigeloproctor]

I think MSI has an Enhanced Turbo feature in bios. You can try disabling it and see what happens. I've only used it on unlocked K-series CPUs and it would force turbo to max boost across all cores. It would still downclock when idle though.

Make sure windows is in balanced power mode, and possibly that Intel speed step/shift is enabled in the bios.

Ill try the enhanced turbo feature, thanks.
I thought having your computer in balanced mode can make games perform worse, though I could be wrong.

 

[volkgren]

Balanced is the default, and that's what I've always used. It is for normal CPU operation and allows dynamic frequency. If you wanted your CPU to run at full speed all the time you would use Performance mode.

 

[nigeloproctor]

Balanced is the default, and that's what I've always used. It is for normal CPU operation and allows dynamic frequency. If you wanted your CPU to run at full speed all the time you would use Performance mode.

neither of them worked. Honestly is it even an issue? I still get entirely normal temps

 

[volkgren]

No, it's not an issue. Are you sure you simply aren't allowing enough time to pass for it to drop in speed? All-core turbo is 3.8GHz so that's what it will run in bios. Idle in Windows it should fluctuate between 800MHz and 4.0GHz on a single-core.

Use HWInfo64 sensors-only to view each individual core speed.

 

[nigeloproctor]

No, it's not an issue. Are you sure you simply aren't allowing enough time to pass for it to drop in speed? All-core turbo is 3.8GHz so that's what it will run in bios. Idle in Windows it should fluctuate between 800MHz and 4.0GHz on a single-core.

Use HWInfo64 sensors-only to view each individual core speed.

yeah I let it sit for an hour, with Speccy open and all cores 5 cores said 3.9ghz while one even read 4

 

[st3v30]

Have you tried to update BIOS??

 

[nigeloproctor]

Have you tried to update BIOS??

I got the motherboard a week ago and it already came with the latest bios v27

 

[AlmightyBurge]

I have this weird...thing...going on with my cpu, I really recently purchased a Z370 A-PRO and an i5 8400, and for some weird reason, no matter what im doing even if im in the motherboard bios, it always runs at 3.8-4ghz. Its super weird, I know the base speed of this processor is 2.8ghz but it's turbo so it can fluctuate between 2.8 and 4, but it never goes below 3.8. Ive read other forums with people who had the same problem and people just said it has to do with the specific motherboard you get, and that it isn't a problem.

I really have no idea whether its good or bad. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated
Again Im using an MSI Z370 A-PRO 8gb ddr4 2400mhz ram, gtx 1070 SC2, i5 8400 2.8-4ghz turbo, western digital 1TB Hard drive, and 500w PSU.

Sorry, this is coming SO LATE. Hold up. What are you guys (TJ, ST3, VOLK) even talking about.

The answer to this questions is very very simple.

The i5 8400 cpu has a base frequency of 2.8 GHz but it has Intel Boost Technology that means it can run at 4 GHz for 1 core, 3.9 for 2 and 3.8 for 3+.

The question was a) Is this good or bad? b) whats causing this?

The answers are so simple:
a) This is brilliant! As you said yourself later, you play games. This means your cpu is running at a higher freq which means better performance, nothing to worry about!

b) This ISN'T your motherboard, this ISN'T an issue whatsoever! This is the CPU itself and the Boost Technology.

You do NOT need to update bios?? What are you talking about st3?!

AGAIN, this ISN'T an issue! Don't turn your pc on balanced either?!?!? Keep it on high-performance or above for optimal gaming experiences.

That's me finally happy with this thread.

END OF DISCUSSION

 

[mdd1963]

Balanced power mode works beautifully in my experience...so well, in fact, that I've never thought to even try 'Performance' mode....

Just having a browser open, and opening closing a few things or tabs, I can see 800 MHz, 1.2 GHz, 3 GHz, 4.5 GHz, 2 GHz, all in the course of 2 seconds....

If nothing is happening, there is little reason to 'spin your wheels' and literally waste power, and fluctuating between 800-1200 MHz is perfect when doing almost nothing.