Q6600 Question. Is This Normal?

[Pez D Spencer]

I just installed a Q6600 yesterday. I pulled up CPU-Z and I noticed that under the "Clocks" section it shows the core speed fluctuating between 1600 and 2400MHz. Is this normal? CPU-Z only shows core 0 and I don't see a way to check the other cores but it seems strange to me that it's fluctuating like that. Also CPU-Z shows the voltage fluctuating around 0.1 or 0.2 volts. Is this normal as well? I have the CPU voltage set to Auto in the BIOS. Should I set it manually? If so what should I set it at? 1.25 is the default voltage for a Q6600 isn't it?

Thanks.

 

[darkfalz]

Must be faulty, take it back for a replacement.

 

[MotF Bane]

That's Intel's Speedstep. Shifts down to 6 multiplier when the processor is at idle, flicks to show the full 9 multiplier every so often. That carries as true across all four cores. Don't mind the voltage flickering, it's not really accurate through CPU-Z anyways.

 

[Markfw]

I don't mean to be harsh, but I see this question twice a day every day for the last month it seems. Can people search ?

 

[Pez D Spencer]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
I don't mean to be harsh, but I see this question twice a day every day for the last month it seems. Can people search ?

I don't mean to be harsh, but maybe if you didn't hang around here all the time, you wouldn't see the question so much...

 

[ChronoReverse]

It doesn't help when you have people like darkfalz saying stuff like what he posted.

 

[kenny0813]

Originally posted by: ChronoReverse
It doesn't help when you have people like darkfalz saying stuff like what he posted.

agreed.

Also, if turning SpeedStep doesnt work, then you might want to disable C1E
C1E is similar to SpeedStep, but it reduces the voltage as opposed to the Multiplier

 

[darkfalz]

Originally posted by: ChronoReverse
It doesn't help when you have people like darkfalz saying stuff like what he posted.

It does help. If I can waste one idiot's time taking his CPU back to the retailer only to be told it's normal, maybe he'll learn how to use Google or look at product documentation instead of posting stupid questions in the future. This exact dumb post appears every few days.

So you'd favor sending a fellow forum member on a wild goose chase instead of helping them.
You think it would teach them a lesson. We'll, you've definitely taught us something today.
Enjoy your week off.

Anandtech Moderator - KP

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Originally posted by: darkfalz

Originally posted by: ChronoReverse
It doesn't help when you have people like darkfalz saying stuff like what he posted.

It does help. If I can waste one idiot's time taking his CPU back to the retailer only to be told it's normal, maybe he'll learn how to use Google or look at product documentation instead of posting stupid questions in the future. This exact dumb post appears every few days.

That's a pretty poor attitude. Forums are a place where people seek help. The OP has less than 300 posts in two years. Clearly, he doesn't hang out here 24/7 and only comes when he needs help.

If you don't want to help, don't. Don't misguide people.

 

[dflynchimp]

@darkfalz
oh you crafty scum, you

but yeah, people really need to search more. and speedstep has been around for quite a while, so people should know better...

 

[Pez D Spencer]

I checked the BIOS and Speedstep is disabled but the core speed and multiplier still fluctuates between 1600 and 2400 and 6x and 9x.

 

[XBoxLPU]

Throttling?

 

[dflynchimp]

here's an idea, try tweaking your settings in the mobo BIOS to 8 X 300. It'll net you 2.4GHz, but it seems that OCing even your FSB disables speedstep. Your cooler should be adequate (unless you didn't install it correctly) so I don't think throttling is the issue.

 

[Pez D Spencer]

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
Throttling?

Idle temp is 32c

 

[dflynchimp]

lol, we totally just posted at the same time XD
anyways try what I said, and see if it works.

 

[Pez D Spencer]

changed it to 8x with 300MHz bus and now it just flops between 1800 (6 x 300) and 2400 (8 x 300). FWIW, CPU-Z shows the speed flopping back and forth about every second or two

 

[dflynchimp]

oh god damn it, just go to 6 X 400 then lol, give the computer no place for reduction hahaha

Edit: although on a side note I have to add that the clock speed fluctuations wont effect your overall system performance. It's a power saving function that looks unstable from CPU-Z but really isn't a problem. If you lood anything intensive on your proc I'm pretty sure the cpu would stay at 2.4GHz.

 

[PCTC2]

did you disable C1E as well?

 

[Pez D Spencer]

Originally posted by: PCTC2
did you disable C1E as well?

Yeah I forgot about that. Once I killed C1E the fluctuation stopped. I went back to the default multi and FSB and it's good to go. After I get a couple hundred hours on this CPU I'll probably OC it to at least 3.0 though.

Thanks for the help everybody. And NO THANKS to the smart comments. If anyone gets their panties in a bunch over a couple posts, then they've got much deeper problems than just the forum.

We outta here, word to ya mutha.

 

[darkfalz]

If it works and it doesn't hamper your overclock, disabling it is absolutely pointless - in fact, it's stupid. You are consuming more power for absolutely no reason.

 

[dflynchimp]

lol, well it does look prettier when you view CPU-Z