SOLVED: I am retarded. Can't stop 2500k throttle to 1.6GHz. :(

[amdhunter]

I'm an idiot. In all the things I did, I didn't realize that PROCHOT had disappeared in the FC BIOS, and I had upgraded to this BIOS after I thought I had stable clocks.

Right now I am running at 5GHz, playing with voltage and loadline, trying to find a good balance of heat, voltage and stability. Currently running a little bit too hot at 81C under load @ 1.42v.

I am sure I can do much better and keep the temps in check. I wish I would have kept my Corsair H50 for this CPU, I think it was better match than this Antec. I may have to buy a 140mm fan and shroud, or mod it for 2 fans.

Thanks everyone for the help.

Original Post Below --------

Got my hands on a 2500k and have been trying to figure out why it keeps insisting on throttling down to 1.6GHz.
Really depressing me since I can get into Windows at 5.2GHz @ 1.38v with Loadline Level 5, so I think the CPU is pretty swank.

This is what I have to work with; got it in a trade for a new iPad. (and a few $ in my favor + case.)
- 2500k @ 4.5GHz 45x100 (but it still happens at stock speed.)
- Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 version 2 BIOS version FC (FA, FB same issue.)
- Antec KÜHLER 620
- AIDA64 shows temps never go past 70° Celcius.
- Generic ADATA 1333MHz
- Zotac AMP! GTX580 w/EVGA bios (stock BIOS is unstable, Zotac refuses to fix the low stock vcore voltage.)
- Everything powered by an Antec HCP-850

Problem: At stock or overclocked speeds, the multiplier drops to 16x, and slows the CPU down when CPU is loaded.

I've tried the following:
- Forced the turbo + multipliers the same: 1.6GHz at load, 4.5GHz at idle.
- Disabled turbo mode and set multiplier: 1.6GHz at load, 4.5GHz at idle.
- Set the stock bios settings: 1.6GHz at load, 3.3GHz at idle.
- Set the multiplier stock settings, turbo at 4.5GHz: 1.6GHz at load, 3.3GHz at idle.
- Set BCLK to 100MHz manually; same thing.
- AMP/Power settings to 300/300
- Windows set to High Performance.

The idle speeds are faster? WTF?

Steps to resolve:
Ran stock, no change. CPU throttles
Ran with lower voltage at stock; CPU throttles
Disabled all Power Management, C1E, C3/C6, Thermal Monitor, CPU EIST
PROCHOT disabled.

Removed and reseated cooler.
Flashed BIOS numerous times, unplugged + reset jumper each time.
Reinstalled Windows, no chipset drivers, then chipset drivers.

I haven't had an Intel setup in a while. I'm actually excited that I am having an issue. I miss overclocking.

Once I get passed this, I plan to do some serious damage to this system. It is really going to be my hobby computer. I just need this throttling to stop, so I can move on to overclocking the video card, get some high performance RAM and so on.

If I need to get a new motherboard, I'll be pretty depressed. I am sure this motherboard is crap, but I've seen people around the web get good results with it. I am dealing with what I have.

If I have to foot the bill, screw it. I wanted to get a GTX680, but I am more concerned with getting 4.5GHz than anything.

 

[blckgrffn]

My G620 in a Gigabyte Z68 mobo is stuck at 1.6Ghz too... Since its a g620 I don't care as much

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2188238&highlight=

Never resolved. Gigabyte service folks responded with "cannot reproduce" and left me hanging. Offered to do an RMA, but as this is my WHS and therefore low power usage is good - and it still has the stones to stream in HQ - I let it go.

I have used that same board you have without any issue at all. It's an annoying bug... I plan on trying to flash via USB now that you have re-triggered my interest in the issue. I am on F9b, I see they have F10 out now...

 

[amdhunter]

My G620 in a Gigabyte Z68 mobo is stuck at 1.6Ghz too... Since its a g620 I don't care as much

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2188238&highlight=

Never resolved. Gigabyte service folks responded with "cannot reproduce" and left me hanging.

That sucks. I am sure the BIOS is just screwed on this guy. I wonder if I can corrupt the BIOS somehow and force it to update clean from the DualBIOS backup.

Also, from your thread:

Amusingly enough, it lists 1.6ghz as the max turbo frequency in the MIT section of the bios and 2.6Ghz as the maximum non-turbo speed. This seems somewhat backwards to me - or that 2.6Ghz should be listed for both numbers.

Same with me. My clock numbers are different, but it seems backwards. My Turbo speeds never go past stock 3.3GHz...

 

[blckgrffn]

That sucks. I am sure the BIOS is just screwed on this guy. I wonder if I can corrupt the BIOS somehow and force it to update clean from the DualBIOS backup.

Also, from your thread:


Same with me. My clock numbers are different, but it seems backwards. My Turbo speeds never go past stock 3.3GHz...

I don't know why my pics aren't working that thread, I am glad you were able to understand what I was able to convey.

Pics work now

Stupid MySQL on my LAMP box, blowing up...

 

[Maximilian]

Have you screwed with the turbo power settings?

If not whack them both up to 200w and set the long duration turbo to 1 second, see if that solves anything.

Turbo current limit & core current limit is what im talking about:

I cant see a long duration turbo equivalent there though.

 

[Kenmitch]

Not really sure what to think?

Maybe take a look at this review to see if it helps you out or not. Must be something your setting in bios that is giving you the problems your faced with.

http://www.kitguru.net/components/m...-z68ap-d3-z68-review-bargain-buy-of-the-year/

I'd start by leaving the voltages on auto(Based on images) as in make sure memory is at spec don't juice it and don't crank the CPU PLL up.

Disabled all Power Management, C1E, C3/C6, Thermal Monitor, CPU EIST
PROCHOT disabled. <--- You don't need to disable these! My chip will do 5.5ghz with all of these enabled.

Don't go for a crazy overclock with that board as most likely your 2500k will blow it up!

Good luck on your overclocking adventure

 

[amdhunter]

Have you screwed with the turbo power settings?

If not whack them both up to 200w and set the long duration turbo to 1 second, see if that solves anything.

Turbo current limit & core current limit is what im talking about:

I cant see a long duration turbo equivalent there though.

I have them set to 300/300, and maxed them both out at one point to test.

 

[amdhunter]

Not really sure what to think?

Maybe take a look at this review to see if it helps you out or not. Must be something your setting in bios that is giving you the problems your faced with.

http://www.kitguru.net/components/m...-z68ap-d3-z68-review-bargain-buy-of-the-year/

I'd start by leaving the voltages on auto(Based on images) as in make sure memory is at spec don't juice it and don't crank the CPU PLL up.

Disabled all Power Management, C1E, C3/C6, Thermal Monitor, CPU EIST
PROCHOT disabled. <--- You don't need to disable these! My chip will do 5.5ghz with all of these enabled.

Don't go for a crazy overclock with that board as most likely your 2500k will blow it up!

Good luck on your overclocking adventure

Yeah, I tried stock voltage. And PROCHOT was disabled in case it was indeed a thermal issue.

Don't go for a crazy overclock? What does this mean?
I'd be happy with stock at the moment.

 

[Kenmitch]

Yeah, I tried stock voltage. And PROCHOT was disabled in case it was indeed a thermal issue. Don't go for a crazy overclock? What does this mean? I'd be happy with stock at the moment.

The motherboard you purchased wasn't designed to be a high end overclocking motherboard. If you try to push your chip most likely it will fail.

By loading optimized default setting you should be able to run at stock speeds as in chip throttles down at idle and ramps up under load. Does it not do this?

 

[superxero044]

Have you tried turning off speedstep completely?

 

[chimaxi83]

Not sure if I missed this detail, but is there an option in your BIOS for providing the CPU with higher than the normal 95w? for example, my Asus board has "CPU current capability", which I max to 140%. Without that, your CPU will throttle anytime it hits 95w, which it will if its overclocked.

 

[blckgrffn]

The motherboard you purchased wasn't designed to be a high end overclocking motherboard. If you try to push your chip most likely it will fail.

By loading optimized default setting you should be able to run at stock speeds as in chip throttles down at idle and ramps up under load. Does it not do this?

If it's like mine, it just runs at 1.6Ghz, period. I am interested in the OPs answer as well

 

[amdhunter]

Have you tried turning off speedstep completely?

I think EIST is SpeedStep right? It's off. Or is there supposed to be a separate entry called SpeedStep?

 

[amdhunter]

Not sure if I missed this detail, but is there an option in your BIOS for providing the CPU with higher than the normal 95w? for example, my Asus board has "CPU current capability", which I max to 140%. Without that, your CPU will throttle anytime it hits 95w, which it will if its overclocked.

Yeah, I have it set to a decently high number + I maxed the settings out to test.

 

[amdhunter]

The motherboard you purchased wasn't designed to be a high end overclocking motherboard. If you try to push your chip most likely it will fail.

By loading optimized default setting you should be able to run at stock speeds as in chip throttles down at idle and ramps up under load. Does it not do this?

It does the same at stock setting.
Also, I don't care if the board blows later on. It'll just give me a reason to upgrade. At the very least, I'd love to know what the 2500k can do. I think I have a relatively cherry chip.

 

[vshah]

what power plan are you set to in windows? if you're on balanced or power saver try setting it to high performance.

 

[amdhunter]

what power plan are you set to in windows? if you're on balanced or power saver try setting it to high performance.

High.

 

[Kenmitch]

High.

That explains it your motherboard is HIGH

Maybe shut down the rig. Remove the power supply cord and hold the power button down for about 30 seconds or so to discharge the capacitors. Reset the cmos with the jumper for 10 seconds or so. Plug back in and go into bios and load optimized settings and see what happens....Unless you tried this already.

 

[chimaxi83]

Hmm, that reminds me. Go into Control Panel > Power Options > High Performance > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings > Processor power managment > Minimum processor state > and change this to 100% and see if it still down clocks.

 

[vshah]

Hmm, that reminds me. Go into Control Panel > Power Options > High Performance > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings > Processor power managment > Minimum processor state > and change this to 100% and see if it still down clocks.

i believe that's what the high performance power profile is set to be default.

 

[Schmide]

Just a side note. Ironically I think the OP was using (mental) retarded as in stupid, deficient, ineffective and actually properly related it to the a slowing down, diminution, or hindrance of the original retard&#257;re (Latin).

 

[amdhunter]

Just a side note. Ironically I think the OP was using (mental) retarded as in stupid, deficient, ineffective and actually properly related it to the a slowing down, diminution, or hindrance of the original retard&#257;re (Latin).

Haha. I'm not that smart.

 

[amdhunter]

i believe that's what the high performance power profile is set to be default.

Yep. 100% min.

 

[blckgrffn]

It might be cruel, but I am happier now that I am not alone in my struggle against my 1.6Ghz Sandy Bridge!

 

[lehtv]

Have you tried reseating the CPU? The motherboard could (should? not sure) recognize that a new CPU is installed, which might resolve the problem. Of course, clear CMOS while you're at it