[SOLVED] i7-6700K Stuck at 800Mhz

[akuhn235]

Hello,
I just recently did a clean installation (via USB) Windows 10 as my computer seemed to running slowly and I was in the 3rd percentile when using the userbenchmark tool. Before installing windows, I performed a BIOS flash. Below are my userbenchmark results ---

"Overall this PC is performing way below expectations (3rd percentile). This means that out of 100 PCs with exactly the same components, 97 performed better. The overall PC percentile is the average of each of its individual components. Use the charts in the benchmark sections of this report to identify problem areas. With an extremely low single core score, this CPU can barely handle email and light web browsing. Finally, with a gaming score of 15.1%, this CPUs suitability for 3D gaming is very poor. 82.6% is a very good 3D score, it's the business. This GPU can handle recent 3D games at high resolutions and ultra detail levels. 64.9% is a good SSD score. This drive enables fast boots, responsive applications and ensures minimum system IO wait times. 16GB is enough RAM to run any version of Windows and it's more than sufficient for nearly all games. 16GB also allows for very large file and system caches, software development and batch photo editing/processing. Windows 10 is the most recent version of Windows, and the best to date in our opinion."

After the installation, I can no longer get my CPU to go over 800Mhz. I've been using CPU-Z to monitor. I confirmed that my powersettings are on "high performance." Do I need to do a new BIOS installation (M-flash) again? CPU-Z states my current MB version is 1.IO. When looking at the MSI page, I don't even see this MB version? The most-recent version listed on MSI's site below is as follows: 7977v1I. Does this mean I have the current MB BIOS installed? I have confirmed that "Slow Mode" switch on the MB itself is in the left-most position (disabled).

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/z170a-gaming-m5

My entire build can be found here:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/7GrdNQ

Is there any other options I can try? I'm starting to think that my MB or CPU may have somehow gotten fried? Although everything seems to be running fine at 800Mhz. But still, this is a 4.0Ghz processor and I'd like to use all of it. I hope this isn't a dumb question, I apologize if it is. Do I just need to OC? Shouldn't the "standard" CPU voltage be aroud 1.2V and 4.0Ghz? My CPU multiplier is set at 8 when observed in CPU-Z. Does this need to be increased? Any direction/help is appreciated. Thanks, Austin.

Edit: BIOS screens found below. Note my DDR is only running at 2133 but they are rated for 3200 before overclocking? EDITv2: Got DDR speed set to 3200Mhz by manually setting it in BIOS.
https://ibb.co/tc8gxb4

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ibb.co

 

[PC Tailor]

Welcome to the forums my friend!

You do indeed have the latest BIOS.
Can you post a screenshot of your CPU-Z page.
Also, reset the CMOS/BIOS to complete defaults and retest, looks more like there has been BIOS misconfig at first glance.

 

[akuhn235]

Appreciate the kind welcome and the timely response. I will see if I still have the jumper Built this computer in ~2016 but I know the MB box is laying around here somewhere. See the CPU-Z page below. More to come once I find/purchase Jumper to reset CMOS/BIOS.

EDIT: If I can't find the jumper, can I just use a piece of metal (say a flat head screw driver?) and short the two pins?

https://ibb.co/DWc7ysT

Thanks,
Austin

 

[PC Tailor]

Appreciate the kind welcome and the timely response. I will see if I still have the jumper Built this computer in ~2016 but I know the MB box is laying around here somewhere. See the CPU-Z page below. More to come once I find/purchase Jumper to reset CMOS/BIOS.

EDIT: If I can't find the jumper, can I just use a piece of metal (say a flat head screw driver?) and short the two pins?

https://ibb.co/DWc7ysT

Thanks,
Austin

Just shut down the PC (obviously), remove the CMOS battery for a minute, power cycle the PC, then plug back in.

 

[dudio]

FYI: Shorting the prongs with a flathead screwdriver for clearing the cmos does the same thing as using the jumper.
Also, you do not mention cpu temps .. curious if other than possible bios misconfiguration, that could be an issue and causing throttling.

 

[PC Tailor]

FYI: Shorting the prongs with a flathead screwdriver for clearing the cmos does the same thing as using the jumper.

Not sure if that was aimed at me, apologies yes I know this, just usually when people ask and are unsure, it's often easier to advise to just pop out a battery then plug it back in

 

[akuhn235]

All,
I reset the CMOS by removing battery, waiting 20 seconds, and reinstalling battery and powering up system. I was then taken to the following screen which led me into BIOS after pressing F1.

https://ibb.co/fFgsZdb

I then selected to "Restore all default settings" within BIOS and exited BIOS where it stated "No CHanges Have Been Made" (I'm asumming because the battery removal reset them to factory already?) Unfortunately, the CPU speed remained at 800Mhz and the DDR speed dropped down to 2133Mhz again.

My temp on the MB reads mid 30's.
https://ibb.co/LdytCwF

Reading CPU temp's via Core Temp gives me temps at 30.
https://ibb.co/BjkGvBk

Any other things I can try? Please inform if I incorrectly performed the above procedure. I appreciate your help!!

 

[akuhn235]

I managed to resolve the issue by doing some digging on MSI website. Here's a few links regarding similar issues on this Z170A M5 motherboard:
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=270601.0
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=293091.0

Turns out that the "Slow Mode" switch on the board itself is known to go faulty. I confirmed that my issue was with this switch as after I switched it, my speeds instantly went from 4.0Ghz to 800Mhz by actuating the switch. When turning Slow Mode on, a red LED on the MB lights up. My RED led was flickering even in the Left (Slow Mode Disabled) position indicating that the slow mode was ACTUALLY enabled. I watched the CPU speed directly correlate with the flickering LED while the switch was in the slow mode disabled position. Actuating the switch a few times would give me a few minutes (at-most) of stable non-slow mode. However, I tried multiple positions, including the middle, and the LED would eventually begin flickering or remain on. Note in the picture below: LED activated in the following picture with switch in the left-most position (Slow Mode Disabled). This LED shouldn't be on in this position!

https://ibb.co/hHfS9Bc

Because this board is well out of warranty and the switch was faulty, in my opinion, I removed the switch from the MB. Powered down PC, moved switch to the left-most position (slow mode disabled) and physically removed the switch from the MB with pliers. Everything appears to be operating fine now, no flickering LED, speeds appear stable. I don't recommend removing this switch if you are still in warranty or uncomfortable doing it. just grabbing onto faulty switch with needle nose pliers and rotating clockwise worked for me.

https://ibb.co/nDNymqx

However, I now am unable to ever enable slow mode unless there is some internal BIOS setting in which I can turn it on

That said, my RAM remained at 2133 until I manually set it to 3200Mhz. Is this normal procedure?

Thanks,
Austin

 

[akuhn235]

https://ibb.co/WFbHn21

exhales

LOL at me not instantly thinking the flickering (with no obvious rhyme or reason) LED may mean something was off. But hey, at least I noticed it was slower than normal and now it appears fixed From a fresh windows re-install to ripping switches off of my motherboard, here we are. Will update post if any repercussions arise.

Side question: Any issues or repercussions from uninstalling "Intel Management Engine Components" or "Intel Softwarew Guard Extensions Platform"?

Mods: Anyway we can change title to the following: "i7-6700K Stuck at 800Mhz (Slow Mode) on MSI Z170A Gaming M5 Motherboard"

Now to re-learn how to OC!!

Thanks all,
Austin

 

[max222]

Hi, I wanted to ask you if your solution was successful in the end, did you have any problems so far? I have the same problem... I also wanted to ask you if you can upload a photo of how your motherboard looked now, to know what you removed, if part of the switch or the entire switch. thanks!

 

[akuhn235]

Hi, I wanted to ask you if your solution was successful in the end, did you have any problems so far? I have the same problem... I also wanted to ask you if you can upload a photo of how your motherboard looked now, to know what you removed, if part of the switch or the entire switch. thanks!

Hey Max, still running properly as far as I can tell. I removed the entire circled switch by grabbing onto it with needle nose pliers and twisting, make sure your computer is off and unplugged. Is your LED flickering with no apparent pattern? Have you confirmed that your computer is going into slow mode by looking at your CPU speeds? removing this switch did the trick for me and computer is still running properly

https://ibb.co/LQHsb7Y