i7 6700k CPU frequency jumping around in MSI command Center

[Joe_152]

Hey Everyone

So i just finished my new build.

When i am in command center, my clock is set to 100 and the ratio 40. 4 ghz. No overclock just stock.

But when i am just sitting there idling, my CPU's clock speed/ratio in the Command center CPU frequency section, keeps jumping up and down.

It goes from 900ghz-4000 ghz and just keeps cycling between them.

Anyone have any idea what this could be? Or maybe this is just normal? This is my 3rd build ever, but first i have used something like command center to monitor anything.

full specs

MSI Z170m Mortar
I7 6700k
Windows 10
16 Gb 3000 Ram
Corsair 200r
GTX 1050ti

Thanks in advance

 

[bradsctt]

Try high performance mode in the power options. You should be able to find it easily using the start menu search.

The power saver and balanced modes lower the clock speed to save power.

 

[weberdarren97]

That's normal. When the CPU doesn't have any work to do, it drops down to a more conservative clock speed (900MHz in the case of the i7 6700K) and returns to its set clock speed when there's work to do.

 

[Hlsgsz]

Normal behavoiur. The CPU underclocksand undervolts itself to save anergy and reduce heat output, so this is actually very desirable. And Skylake does it best as in it controlls this itself as opposed to older chips that relied on teh OS for taht, thereefore beeing somewhat less "snappy" to ramp up when needed.

 

[Hlsgsz]

Try high performance mode in the power settings, in the control panel.

The power saver and balanced modes lower the clock speed to save power.

No, why woudl one do that, since it's actually a desirable trait?

 

[bradsctt]

Maybe you want the CPU to stay at the max speed constantly? The power saving modes can cause lag in games as the clock speed drops occasionally, even when under load.

 

[weberdarren97]

Maybe you want the CPU to stay at the max speed constantly? The power saving modes can cause lag in games as the clock speed drops occasionally, even when under load.

If the clock speed dropping for a few cycles is enough to cause a drop in FPS, then I'd start questioning the stability of the machine.

 

[Hlsgsz]

Maybe you want the CPU to stay at the max speed constantly? The power saving modes can cause lag in games as the clock speed drops occasionally, even when under load.

If the clock speed dropping for a few cycles is enough to cause a drop in FPS, then I'd start questioning the stability of the machine.

Yup.

 

[bradsctt]

Whatever the case, using high performance would stop the clock speed fluctuating, if OP wants it to remain constant.

The power saving is useful of course, and the speed changes are normal, but if you want the clock speed to remain constant then high performance is the best option, other than disabling all power saving features in the BIOS.

 

[Joe_152]

Wow guys thanks a bunch. I thought something might have been wrong cause it was jumping all over the damm place.

Even the ratio number was jumping with the clock speed.

Then i had a front case fan out so i was wondering if i had some software issue or something. Turns out my corsair 200r came with a defective front fan.

thanks again, appreciate it

P.S. What do you guys recommend for a quiet 120mm replacement for the broken case fan? There isn't much room in the 200r in the front so i was deciding between static pressure and regular air flow. Like the noctua nf12 or something.

 

[bradsctt]

Regular airflow would be the best option for general air intake, and static pressure fans are more useful on a radiator.

The Noctua NF12s are pretty good for their price and performance.

 

[Hlsgsz]

Noctua NF-S12A. Always airflow over static pressure for a case fan.

 

[Joe_152]

Noctua NF-S12A. Always airflow over static pressure for a case fan.

Sweet, thanks again.

What is the difference between the F12 and the S12?

 

[weberdarren97]

Noctua NF-S12A. Always airflow over static pressure for a case fan.

There are times when a static pressure fan would be more beneficial... Like if there's a rather restrictive fan filter or say a hard drive cage in the way.

 

[Hlsgsz]

Noctua NF-S12A. Always airflow over static pressure for a case fan.

There are times when a static pressure fan would be more beneficial... Like if there's a rather restrictive fan filter or say a hard drive cage in the way.

Only the former and not really even that. Change the damn filter if it's so restrictive

 

[NerdIT]

Hey Everyone

So i just finished my new build.

When i am in command center, my clock is set to 100 and the ratio 40. 4 ghz. No overclock just stock.

But when i am just sitting there idling, my CPU's clock speed/ratio in the Command center CPU frequency section, keeps jumping up and down.

It goes from 900ghz-4000 ghz and just keeps cycling between them.

Anyone have any idea what this could be? Or maybe this is just normal? This is my 3rd build ever, but first i have used something like command center to monitor anything.

full specs

MSI Z170m Mortar
I7 6700k
Windows 10
16 Gb 3000 Ram
Corsair 200r
GTX 1050ti

Thanks in advance

This is caused by intel's "Speed Step" technology. It's purpose is to throttle down the voltage/clocks when your system is idle to save power. You can disable this in BIOS

 

[Hlsgsz]

Noctua NF-S12A. Always airflow over static pressure for a case fan.

Sweet, thanks again.

What is the difference between the F12 and the S12?

The F12 is engineered for static preassure(heatsinks or any otehr situation when you've gotta forcively push air through something) while S12A si for having the most possible airflow with the least possible noise(case).

Here's it from teh horse's mouth
http://noctua.at/en/which_fan_is_right_for_me

 

[Joe_152]

Noctua NF-S12A. Always airflow over static pressure for a case fan.

Sweet, thanks again.

What is the difference between the F12 and the S12?

The F12 is engineered for static preassure(heatsinks or any otehr situation when you've gotta forcively push air through something) while S12A si for having the most possible airflow with the least possible noise(case).

Here's it from teh horse's mouth
http://noctua.at/en/which_fan_is_right_for_me

Thanks dude, i really appreciate it.

Just ordered 2 of them from amazon. Not loving the brown but hey if it works and is quiet, i am happy lol

I had a sickleflow laying around brand new, but for some reason in position in the front intake, it would whine/hum. Out of that position though it is much quieter. Weird. Wondering if maybe it is rattling or something against the case, or maybe the screws are bending the housing a bit causing the whine.

Hopefully the Noctua's don't do the same thing. I am sure they won't.

Thanks again for all the help.

One last question for you guys if you don't mind.

When i monitor my temps, i notice 4 cores will stay around 27-32 at idle, but one random core will jump up to 50 for a split second. It isn't just one specific core that does this, it fluctuates from core to core where 3 cores will be 27-32 and one of them 50.

The 50 rotates through the 4 cores.

 

[Hlsgsz]

Noctua NF-S12A. Always airflow over static pressure for a case fan.

Sweet, thanks again.

What is the difference between the F12 and the S12?

The F12 is engineered for static preassure(heatsinks or any otehr situation when you've gotta forcively push air through something) while S12A si for having the most possible airflow with the least possible noise(case).

Here's it from teh horse's mouth
http://noctua.at/en/which_fan_is_right_for_me

Thanks dude, i really appreciate it.

Just ordered 2 of them from amazon. Not loving the brown but hey if it works and is quiet, i am happy lol

I had a sickleflow laying around brand new, but for some reason in position in the front intake, it would whine/hum. Out of that position though it is much quieter. Weird. Wondering if maybe it is rattling or something against the case, or maybe the screws are bending the housing a bit causing the whine.

Hopefully the Noctua's don't do the same thing. I am sure they won't.

Thanks again for all the help.

One last question for you guys if you don't mind.

When i monitor my temps, i notice 4 cores will stay around 27-32 at idle, but one random core will jump up to 50 for a split second. It isn't just one specific core that does this, it fluctuates from core to core where 3 cores will be 27-32 and one of them 50.

The 50 rotates through the 4 cores.

Perfectly normal aswell. The CPu doesn;t boost all cores simultaneously and the don't even all max out at the same speed. So all good.
As for the NOctuas, you simply cannot go wrong with them.

 

[weberdarren97]

I agree, Noctua fans are the best of the best when it comes to PC cooling. However, I seem to have a soft spot for the aesthetics presented by the Cooler Master Silencio series fans...

 

[Joe_152]

Noctua NF-S12A. Always airflow over static pressure for a case fan.

Sweet, thanks again.

What is the difference between the F12 and the S12?

The F12 is engineered for static preassure(heatsinks or any otehr situation when you've gotta forcively push air through something) while S12A si for having the most possible airflow with the least possible noise(case).

Here's it from teh horse's mouth
http://noctua.at/en/which_fan_is_right_for_me

Thanks dude, i really appreciate it.

Just ordered 2 of them from amazon. Not loving the brown but hey if it works and is quiet, i am happy lol

I had a sickleflow laying around brand new, but for some reason in position in the front intake, it would whine/hum. Out of that position though it is much quieter. Weird. Wondering if maybe it is rattling or something against the case, or maybe the screws are bending the housing a bit causing the whine.

Hopefully the Noctua's don't do the same thing. I am sure they won't.

Thanks again for all the help.

One last question for you guys if you don't mind.

When i monitor my temps, i notice 4 cores will stay around 27-32 at idle, but one random core will jump up to 50 for a split second. It isn't just one specific core that does this, it fluctuates from core to core where 3 cores will be 27-32 and one of them 50.

The 50 rotates through the 4 cores.

Perfectly normal aswell. The CPu doesn;t boost all cores simultaneously and the don't even all max out at the same speed. So all good.
As for the NOctuas, you simply cannot go wrong with them.

Noctuas are installed and they are SUPER quiet! Love em.

I just ran prime95 SFT for 30 minutes and i am still seeing decently high temps

At 15 minutes i was at a high of 76c, with the first 2 cores reaching highs of 78c.

At 30 minutes i am now at 74c.

I am gonna let it run for a couple hours just to see, but what temps should i be expecting at this point? I know i have good air flow through the case at this point. I used the credit card method for the TIM and am wondering if maybe i spread it to thin :/ ?

prime95 28.9
Cryorig H7 with C7 paste
2 Noctua fans and a corsair case fan
i7 6700k

 

[Hlsgsz]

prime95 versions higher than 2.66 generates a load that makes Intel CPUs overvolt and therefore generates an unnatural amount of heat. Your temps are fine.
The rule of thumbs is to use p95 v 2.66 in small FFT mode to stres test your system.

See Section 13 here: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1800828/intel-temperature-guide.html

 

[Joe_152]

prime95 versions higher than 2.66 generates a load that makes Intel CPUs overvolt and therefore generates an unnatural amount of heat. Your temps are fine.
The rule of thumbs is to use p95 v 2.66 in small FFT mode to stres test your system.

See Section 13 here: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1800828/intel-temperature-guide.html

Thanks dude, i just realized that was the issue. I tried Intel Stress Utility as well, and i barely broke 50c. It seems to idle around 25-28c now.

My rig is finally done, now to try some overclocking.

The Noctua's are fantastic, thanks again for the recommendation. Thinking of switching out the 3rd corsair case fan that it came with for a 3rd noctua!

 

[Hlsgsz]

prime95 versions higher than 2.66 generates a load that makes Intel CPUs overvolt and therefore generates an unnatural amount of heat. Your temps are fine.
The rule of thumbs is to use p95 v 2.66 in small FFT mode to stres test your system.

See Section 13 here: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1800828/intel-temperature-guide.html

Thanks dude, i just realized that was the issue. I tried Intel Stress Utility as well, and i barely broke 50c. It seems to idle around 25-28c now.

My rig is finally done, now to try some overclocking.

The Noctua's are fantastic, thanks again for the recommendation. Thinking of switching out the 3rd corsair case fan that it came with for a 3rd noctua!

You're welcome! I'd change it.

 

[Joe_152]

prime95 versions higher than 2.66 generates a load that makes Intel CPUs overvolt and therefore generates an unnatural amount of heat. Your temps are fine.
The rule of thumbs is to use p95 v 2.66 in small FFT mode to stres test your system.

See Section 13 here: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1800828/intel-temperature-guide.html

Thanks dude, i just realized that was the issue. I tried Intel Stress Utility as well, and i barely broke 50c. It seems to idle around 25-28c now.

My rig is finally done, now to try some overclocking.

The Noctua's are fantastic, thanks again for the recommendation. Thinking of switching out the 3rd corsair case fan that it came with for a 3rd noctua!

You're welcome! I'd change it.

Hey Man, Sorry for the late reply. Had some stuff happen and haven't been able to even use the computer this past month.

I just did another stress test today just to see where i left off and it seems pretty good. The only thing that has me concerned is the temps jump from temps between 55-70 every few seconds if you look at the graph. Is that normal? It never got any higher than 70ish though after 20 minutes or so.

Thanks again.