CPUZ processor readings

[AlHo]

Ok here goes a really dumb noob question...

I have just changed my power management settings from balanced to high performance. Previously in CPUZ my processor (i5 750) would read 1.2GHz with the multiplier x9 (cos speed stepping was on) and only when stressed go up to the 3.2GHz max as the balanced option would run the processor at 5% when dowing nothing.

Now because the power option is 100% for max and min, cpuz shows 3.2GHz all the time. When I use TMonitor it still shows the min as 1.2GHz with peaks for extra activity. The temps seem pretty much the same as before. What I would like to know is has speed stepping been disabled and does it mean the processor always runs at 3.2GHz now? Has windows introduced some kind of quasi-overclock or something or is it ok. (Basically I am concerned about knacking it up).

Sorry for being such a noob. Thanks for your help.

 

[OpSysWiz]

Did you make any BIOS changes?

 

[AlHo]

Nope, that kind of thing is beyond me!

 

[mckillwashere]

to start cpu-z shows the max speed if im not mistaken,
Testing now.
Mines showing 2.4Ghz which is what my processor is set at.
I think that when its set to high power speed step is disabled.
You can go into the setting and enable the speed step.

 

[OpSysWiz]

Huh, I tested setting High Performance and it did turn off Speed Step. So, yes, CPU-Z is showing the correct cpu speed. Interesting, I don't recall it doing that in the past.

 

[mckillwashere]

You can enable speed step inside of the performance options if im not mistaken.
I have never really had a need for it except in my laptop....
Which im going to test that right now lol
ill report back

Report:
You can change the minimum and maximum cpu settings for on battery and while plugged in.
On battery the defualt is 5% and 100%
On plugged is 100% and 100%
You may be able to drop the on plug and notice a difference.

 

[AlHo]

So high performance turns off speed step, but does this mean it automatically puts a processor with turbo boost technology to its max speed (3.2GHz for i5 750 and 2.93GHz for an i7 920 - is that right OpSysWiz?) or does it let it idle at 2.67 and boost when required. Just seems a bit weird, cpuz shows 3.2 all the time (but used to show 1.2GHz when idle and boost up - this was when in balcned power options with a min of 50%), windows shows running at 70% when idle and TMonitor beta (from cpuid) still shows 1.2GHz idles and boosts upto 3.2. Which is right?! Computer runs fine anyway, its just interesting I guess...

 

[OpSysWiz]

If you had Turbo Boost on in BIOS, as mine is, then yes, it kicks in Turbo as well. Stock i7-920 is 2.66GHz, with Turbo 2.7nnn and will idle there. Interesting, don't recall it doing that in the past. Both CPU-Z and Everest Ultimate read 2.7nnn at idle. Have not used Tmonitor so can't comment.

 

[AlHo]

Am quite vexed by this really. Supposedly, under stock conditions an i5 750 can only clock to 3.2GHz on 2 cores, and do a max of 2.93GHz on all 4. Why then does it appear to be running at 3.2GHz on all 4 cores now i am using high performance power settings?

 

[OpSysWiz]

Am quite vexed by this really. Supposedly, under stock conditions an i5 750 can only clock to 3.2GHz on 2 cores, and do a max of 2.93GHz on all 4. Why then does it appear to be running at 3.2GHz on all 4 cores now i am using high performance power settings?

Is Turbo on in BIOS? Quote:

[2] Intel® Core™ i5-750 processor with a 2.66 GHz base frequency reaches a maximum Turbo frequency of 3.20 GHz. See www.intel.com/technology/turboboost/ for more information.

Intel® Core? i5 processor

 

[AlHo]

Yeah turbo mode is def enabled in BIOS. I was convinced 3.2GHz was only on 2 cores (4 bins of core 133MHz clock) and could only do 2 bins on 4 cores. Anyway alls well and idles around 30 degrees celcius on stock cooling.