Why does my intel turboboost not go to 3.8 ghz?

[kiefer136]

My processor is an intel i5 2550k sandy bridge. I have the intel gadget that shows when it hits turbo but its only 3.5ghz instead of 3.8. When I run stress tests with prime95, it still just goes to 3.5ghz. I am wondering why it does not hit 3.8 like it says on the product. Is there a reason for this, or is it suppose to do that?

 

[kiefer136]

In bios the turbo boost is set to auto, as supposed to enabled or disabled (default)

 

[rgd1101]

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/turbo-boost/turbo-boost-technology.html

 

[amuffin]

Turbo boost works like this:
4 cores: 3.5ghz
3 cores: 3.6ghz
2 cores: 3.7ghz
1 core: 3.8ghz
Prime95 stress tests all four cores, that is why it runs at 3.5ghz.

 

[kiefer136]

Best answer selected by kiefer136.