i7 4790 turbo boost not working help please

[Josh36]

I recently bought a i7 4790 and no matter what I try, it won't go past 3.6ghz. I enabled speedstep and turboboost in the bios but it stays at a stock 3.4 no matter what I do, prime 95, intel processsor diagnostic, cinebench. I have reset the bios and still no progress. My mobo is an msi b85-e45.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MeanMachine41]

I have no direct experience with your MB Bios however I believe the MSI b85-e45 is not designed for Overclocking. You will need a Z170A MB and Non-K OC BIOS. Your CPU is a none "K" processor so the multiplier is locked.

Basically, Turbo Boost feature when enabled is somewhere between 3.6 GHz and 4 GHz, not a guaranteed 4 GHz. Between 3.6 - 4, and subject to throttling of Turbo Boost, based on loading of the processor.

Here is an extraction from Intel.

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0

"Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.01 accelerates processor and graphics performance for peak loads, automatically allowing processor cores to run faster than the rated operating frequency if they’re operating below power, current, and temperature specification limits. Whether the processor enters into Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and the amount of time the processor spends in that state depends on the workload and operating environment.

Maximum turbo frequency indicates the highest possible frequency achievable when conditions allow the processor to enter turbo mode. Intel Turbo Boost Technology frequency varies depending on workload, hardware, software and overall system configuration.

Due to varying power characteristics, some parts with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 may not achieve maximum turbo frequencies when running heavy workloads and using multiple cores concurrently.

Availability and frequency upside of Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 state depends upon a number of factors including, but not limited to the following:
•Type of workload
•Number of active cores
•Estimated current consumption
•Estimated power consumption
•Processor temperature

When the processor is operating below these limits and the user's workload demands additional performance, the processor frequency will dynamically increase until the upper limit of frequency is reached. Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 has multiple algorithms operating in parallel to manage current, power, and temperature to maximize frequency and energy efficiency. Note: Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 allows the processor to operate at a power level that is higher than its TDP configuration and data sheet specified power for short duration's to maximize performance."

 

[synphul]

Have you tried updating your bios? Support for the 4790 is listed with a newer version of the bios and you may not have it installed.

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/B85M-E45.html#support_download

That's where I would start since the b85 is an older board and it's paired with a haswell refresh cpu. Make sure to follow their directions, some bios versions have specific instructions on the method used to flash the bios.

 

[Josh36]

Thanks guys

I'm a little unsure what was causing it but I fiddled around in the bios a bit and that seemed to fix it, couldn't tell you what worked but it's turboing to 4 ghz pretty happily now, frequency jumps around a bit but I've read that that's fairly normal. Might have been a windows power plan keeping it at 3.4ghz but I'm not exactly sure.
I am aware the board won't let me overclocked and that the 4790 is a locked cpu anyway, which is for the best because I'd probably end up blowing it up trying to overclock anyway