Is the CPU normal?

[george2005]

Here is my system:

CPU: i7-920
MOBO: ga-x58a-ud3r
mem:
video card: xfx hd5770
OS: windows 7 ultimate x64

I use the default bios setting for the cpu, no overclocking.
I am running cpu-z, most of the time it shows

core speed: 1619.3 MHz
Multiplier: x12.0

when I am running some benchmark, it shows:

core speed: 2833.7MHz
multipler: x21.0

Is it normal? Shouldn't it always show as x20.0 or x21.0?
Should I disable something in bios?

 

[hunter315]

nope, its called speed step and turbo boost. Speedstep will lower your multiplier when the CPU is idle, this reduces the speed and power consumption, generating less heat. Turbo Boost will increase the multiplier by 1 if all cores are under load or by 2 or 3 depending on how many other cores are under load and how hot its getting, this gives you a boost of speed to let it get jobs done slightly quicker as long as its staying cool enough. Leave both of them on as they do no harm and are both rather useful in getting optimum performance.

 

[Bluescreendeath]

Not directed at you, but we really need a sticky for this...




Yes, it is normal. The lowered multiplier is called step speed, it saves you energy. The higher multiplier is called turbo boost, it boosts your performance in applications not using all 4 cores.

 

[Zinosys]

@hunter is absolutely right.

If you want to disable Speedstep or Turbo Boost, go into your BIOS and disable EIST (or SpeedStep), and disable Turbo Boost.

I suggest leaving on Turbo Boost (unless you're OC'ing) and enabling SpeedStep if power consumption is important to you.

 

[george2005]

Best answer selected by george2005.