Why is CPU-z showing low core speed?

[stefan37]

I have an Intel i5 3570k processor, and CPU-z only show core speed on 1600 mhz. I'm worried because I have had like 5-6 power failures in last 2 hours and 30 minutes. I've always unplugged the machine from the power when the failures happened. So is my CPU damaged or something?

 

[lazyboy947]

Im not to informative on intel cpus as in their features etc, but is there a power saving feature that automatically down clocks the cpu? i know amd does to like 800mhz when not under load, if the feature is turned on. Also i would that multiple power failures in a small time period where the pc turned off and where u think it could be damaged, that it would just be fried and not be turning on, and since its still turning on id assume its not damaged

 

[Crackadamus]

Yeah, lazyboy is right. The CPU is just down-clocking itself to save power. You can turn this feature off in the BIOS/UEFI but there isn't really much point in doing so in my opinion.

 

[k1114]

Well not all amd cpus go down to 800mhz and not all intel cpuz go down to 1.6ghz but it is a similar feature. They downclock when idle to save power. Perfectly normal and does not affect performance.

 

[stefan37]

So my PC is not damaged? Btw my specs are i5 3570k, msi 7870 twin frozr, seasonic 650am, seagate barracuda 1tb, gigagbyte z77x ud3h.

 

[lazyboy947]

A good way to test, would be to stress the system, and monitor temps, clock speeds etc

 

[k1114]

It is fine. A pc does not downclock from being damaged. If it is damaged you will get a bsod or it won't turn on. You have a good psu, it'll protect it from really anything but a direct lightning strike.

 

[stefan37]

It is fine. A pc does not downclock from being damaged. If it is damaged you will get a bsod or it won't turn on. You have a good psu, it'll protect it from really anything but a direct lightning strike.

Thanks man you have really saved me from stress!

 

[unclewebb]

Make sure you are using one of the latest versions of CPU-Z. Version 1.62 and 1.63 report idle or lightly loaded CPUs a little differently compared to some of the previous 1.61.x versions.

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html