CPU (Intel i7 2600k) Overclocking itself - unwanted, generating heat

[Aeten]

If you look at my system specs you can see my build. The CPU is set to run at 1.6GHz normally - then go to 3.4GHz for normal activities - then go to 3.8GHz for high-performance. Even at 3.4GHz it flawlessly handles anything I've thrown at it because the most strenuous thing I do is light gaming.

Now for some reason, it seems one core is always at almost full usage, and the thing has overclocked itself to 4.4GHz. That is way beyond default settings. It's sitting at about 50 degrees Celsius right now, which is more than what I want. I want it around 30, which it used to manage just fine, only reaching 40 when I'm gaming.

The problem gets even worse when I play Minecraft, which should be a very low-intensity game for the CPU and GPU. Instead, the GPU sits at about 65 degrees celsius, and the CPU goes to 4.4GHz again and the cores go up to 60-70% usage and the temp just keeps going up.

Is there a problem with my hardware, or is it what I'm running on the computer?

 

[Aeten]

Here is a pic of the overclock in action:

 

[essenbe]

Have you gone into BIOS and set optimized defaults? Then set the sata controllers, USB and boot order how you like. Also check the ram voltage and timings. CPUz is what most of use use to see CPU frequency and ram frequency. Try that and see what it says.

 

[Aeten]

Oh you know what - I clicked something called ASUS optimized settings last time I went into BIOS. I bet that's what's letting it overclock. But do you have any ideas about the heat issue?

 

[essenbe]

Any time the CPU runs faster, the heat goes up. Even at stock settings, if you put a load on the CPU the heat will increase. You mentioned 50C. That is not that hot. TJmax on that cpu is 98. I wouldn't worry about 50 under load. 50 at idle is a cause for concern, but under load is OK.

 

[Aeten]

Just very protective of my baby....
That's good to hear that 50 degrees is fine, thanks.

 

[essenbe]

No problem, I understand. It's fine as long as those are load temps.