i7 4720HQ not running at max

[oldhairyone]

I've had an Optimus V from PCSpecialist for a couple of months now. Games haven't been running as well as I'd like them to, but I just put that down to it being a laptop rather than a desktop.

But after using an intel cpu logging application I have found that the CPU never runs above 1.6ghz. The CPU is an i7 4720HQ rated at 2.6ghz (3.5 turbo).

I'm using a power plan that uses 100% CPU all the time when plugged in, but all that does is make it run at 1.6ghz constantly, which is too slow.

Why isn't it running at this speed? I have created a log of the speed while playing Grand Theft Auto 5 if you would like to see it.

How can I make it run at full speed?

Thanks

 

[MarkW]

Laptops are NOT gaming machines. They simply cannot dissipate heat well enough to be a good gaming computer. That is why they have CPU's that are much slower than desktop machines, and GPU's that are almost always a good 2 levels below the desktop part with the same model number minus the M on the end.

It runs at 1.6 Ghz to stay cool enough that it doesn't have to shut the machine OFF to cool down. Same thing with the GPU.

If you want a gaming powerhouse, buy a desktop. Laptops were designed to be light business use.

 

[oldhairyone]

Laptops are NOT gaming machines. They simply cannot dissipate heat well enough to be a good gaming computer. That is why they have CPU's that are much slower than desktop machines, and GPU's that are almost always a good 2 levels below the desktop part with the same model number minus the M on the end.

It runs at 1.6 Ghz to stay cool enough that it doesn't have to shut the machine OFF to cool down. Same thing with the GPU.

If you want a gaming powerhouse, buy a desktop. Laptops were designed to be light business use.

Not saying I wanted a powerhouse; I already have a desktop for gaming. I just would rather the laptop CPU ran at the standard clock speed.

 

[MarkW]

That IS the problem. If the CPU were to run at full speed, it would begin to overheat and throttle, and that throttle would most likely be much lower than 1.6Ghz.

You want your laptop to act like a desktop. It can't. Its NOT a desktop. It can't have the cooling fans a desktop has. It has to lower its speeds when you make it work non-stop for awhile instead of the normal very short bursts that a business user would ask of it.

 

[oldhairyone]

What's a temp that would likely throttle the cpu? So I can check it when it's at 1.6

 

[pikaru]

There might be something wrong with your adapter. I have a similar system and my 90W adapter can't supply enough energy when both CPU and GPU is used heavily, so the battery starts draining. I ordered a 130W adapter online but it hasn't arrived yet, so I can't comment on whether that actually fixes the problem. Also fiddle around in the UEFI interface and look for a setting for the CPU throttling such as Intel Turbo Boost or SpeedStep...