Minimum frequency of i7-2600k?

[QuadraticAmoeba]

Hi, I have a Core i7-2600k processor that is happily overclocked to 4.5 GHz.

The problem is, the minimum frequency won't come down below 3.2 GHz, even after 15-20 minutes of idle time with 1% CPU utilization. I have enabled (the default, really) SpeedStep, and haven't changed anything beyond the maximum voltage (increased slightly) and the turbo multipliers.

Temperatures are no problem, system stability also not a problem (tested with many hours of IntelBurnTest and HyperPI).

Is this expected, or am I doing something wrong? Please advise.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

No, that CPU should clock down to 1.6GHz at idle.

EIST and all of the CStates should be enabled. I don't know what other kind of options Intel brand boards have in their UEFI.

 

[QuadraticAmoeba]

No, that CPU should clock down to 1.6GHz at idle.

EIST and all of the CStates should be enabled. I don't know what other kind of options Intel brand boards have in their UEFI.

I rebooted and checked in the BIOS - these are enabled. There are no other options that I can find relevant to power.

Very strange ...

 

[QuadraticAmoeba]

Ok, now I feel like an absolute idiot.

The problem was with the Power saving mode in Windows 7 - for some (long forgotten) reason, it was set to Performance rather than Balanced. I changed it back to Balance, and I got my 1.6 GHz back.

And I've only been using Windows since MS-DOS.
*hits head with palm*

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

Weird. Mine is set to Performance and still idles at 1.6GHz. Oh well, maybe it has to be that way for your board.

 

[cjl]

It's settable in the advanced power settings in Windows. You can change max and min CPU frequency for each power setting there.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

Yeah, I know. Mine is set to 100% at all times, and it still idles at 1.6GHz according to CPU-Z. Oh well ... doesn't really matter to me. The CPU is supposed to do that.

Anyway, glad you figured it out, QA.