Quad Core Processor only showing 2 cores?

[_desc]

I recently started to do more PC gaming. I found that my computer was not strong enough, despite my Nvidia 960m, 8 GB ram, 256 GB SSD, and quad core i5 6300. I know that these specs are not insane or anything, but when I opened task manager while gaming I saw that CPU usage was 100% while memory and GPU were under 90% usage. I am assuming this means that the issue with performance is my CPU. I decided to try enabling more cores. After looking up Intel to confirm, I am sure that my i5 6300 HQ has 4 cores and 4 logical cores. In Device Manager, my i5 shows 4 cores. However, in MSCONFIG boot options AND task manager, they both show only 2 cores. In my Dell BIOS, multi-threading and CPU options are not visible. How can I enable all 4 cores? And How can I improve performance while gaming (all settings low, nvidia control panel I believe has been optimized)
Update:
I have already set power settings to high performance before posting this.
I am using a Dell Inspiron 7559 17in.
Specs: 256 SSD
8gb ram
Nvidia 960m
i5 6300 HQ Quad-core

 

[rgd1101]

What is the exact model of this laptop?

 

[Karadjgne]

I5 6300 HQ is 4c/4t, no hyperthreading. The i5 6300u is a mobile cpu (laptops) with 2c/4t has hyperthreading. 2 totally different cpus.

In windows--system- power and sleep- additional power settings- set to high performance.

 

[_desc]

What is the exact model of this laptop?

I am using Dell inspiron 7559. I have updated the thread and listed the specs

 

[_desc]

I5 6300 HQ is 4c/4t, no hyperthreading. The i5 6300u is a mobile cpu (laptops) with 2c/4t has hyperthreading. 2 totally different cpus.

In windows--system- power and sleep- additional power settings- set to high performance.

Thank you for the suggestion, but I have already set power settings to high performance. I am using i5 6300 HQ.

 

[Karadjgne]

Here's what I see. Gta V can easily max out (100%) any pre-coffeelake i5. As can Witcher 3 or any other of a dozen or more games. They are optimized for more than 4 threads so put an extremely heavy load on the cpu. Even in desktops.

The 6300 HQ is a decent cpu, stronger relatively than the 960m, so normally you'd be running stuff at lower on cpu, higher on gpu. Games can and will change that and scripted mods will take that to a new level of abuse.

So it's not uncommon to see very high cpu usage on an i5, especially if your gpu is topping 90%.

That cpu is most definitely a 4c/4t HQ, I looked up the specs, so why it shows 2x cores in 1 app and 4x in another is beyond me.

No matter what any of that says, the easiest way to see for sure is Prime95. Use Large fft or blend, but be prepared to stop the test soon as it's a high cpu torture test. But what it does is show usage on cores (you'll see it as workers). If it only shows 2x workers, then all that's active is 2 cores, if it shows 4x workers then all 4 cores are active. The workers are not a number on a page, there will be shown usage.