My CPU is running much slower than it should

[Kestrel-7]

I currently have a PC build with the AMD FX 6300 processor. It has a base clock speed of 3.5 GHz. However, as evident in this picture below, it is running only at 1.3 GHz.

(Specs: 8gb RAM, AMD Radeon R7 200 series)
This slow speed is very inconvenient. I am trying to run Twilight Princess on the Dolphin Emulator but I'm getting only around 12 FPS.
I remember when I first built this computer I accidentally put the fan ontop of the CPU upside down so I had to yank it off the thermal paste and turn it around. I hope that didn't cause any problems.
My computer's fans are also very loud and it can heat up just a tad sometimes.
Any insight or suggestions are much appreciated.

 

[Paul NZ]

Could be something similar to speedstep it lowers it when it's idle. It's a feature of the cpu

 

[RaDiKaL_]

As Paul NZ said, whenever you alt+tab back to desktop your CPU will lower its frequency since it doesn't need its max potential for the desktop environment.

Use HWInfo instead, go to its sensors section and enable the log feature, then minimize it and play for some 10-20min, then upload the log file so we can see what's going on. Your CPU might be reaching its 3.5GHz but after a few min dropping due to maybe overheating or some power issue, the log will let us figure out what's going on.

 

[Kestrel-7]

As Paul NZ said, whenever you alt+tab back to desktop your CPU will lower its frequency since it doesn't need its max potential for the desktop environment.

Use HWInfo instead, go to its sensors section and enable the log feature, then minimize it and play for some 10-20min, then upload the log file so we can see what's going on. Your CPU might be reaching its 3.5GHz but after a few min dropping due to maybe overheating or some power issue, the log will let us figure out what's going on.

How would I go about uploading the log? It's an excel file and much too big for a screenshot.

I will say, my computer did crash at the end of it. So something is definitely up, here. I really doubt it's just underclocking while idle.

 

[Danra]

Regarding heat, you said that you removed the heatsink and hoped that you everything was OK with the TIM [thermal paste]. I suggest you go to NewEgg or somewhere and get ArctiClean 1 & 2 [they come in the same bag]. Turn the power supply switch off or if there is no PSU switch, turn off the surge protector an keep everything plugged in [that will give you a ground]. Then remove the CPU cooler. You can use a paper towel to remove most of the thermal compound, then put 4 drops or so of the cleaner on the CPU cooler and use a coffee filter [they leave nothing behind such as what a cloth or paper towel will] to finish cleaning, then use the TIM purifier in the same manner to get it completely clean, then do the same with the CPU. If any cleaning compound reaches the motherboard, wait an hour before turning the computer back on to allow vaporization.

I use GELID GC-EXTREME thermal compound. Put a little on a coffee filter to make sure you get the emulsifier [oily substance out of the tip] then make an X with the thermal compound on the full surface of your CPU "lid". Do not make the lines of the X too thick, it will not take much.

Put the CPU cooler back on according to instructions, making sure everything is secure.

 

[TerryLaze]

How would I go about uploading the log? It's an excel file and much too big for a screenshot.

I will say, my computer did crash at the end of it. So something is definitely up, here. I really doubt it's just underclocking while idle.

you can run dolphin windowed and have task manager open in the background so you can see what Ghz your cpu runs at while playing the game.

 

[RaDiKaL_]

You can upload the file to dropbox or similar and share the link here.