Is my processor underclocked?

[vicaphit]

I just built my first build and I was just looking at all of my system info. I checked CPU-Z and found that my processor (Q6600) was running at around 950mhz with a 6x multiplier. If I opened a program it would jump to around 1.5 ghz with a 9x multiplier. I checked the BIOS and it displays my clock as 1.5ghz

I haven't been able to get a look at it around 2.4 ghz, and I was wondering if the thing was not achieving the stock clocks.

Do these chips only run as high as the programs need, or is there something wrong with my CPU?

[dicecca112]

Something called speedstep is on in the bios, shut that off. Basically when the processor goes idle, it downclocks to safe power and reduce heat output

[Bwall]

Looks like your bus speed isn't set correctly. Make sure it's set to 266MHz (or 1066MHz).
Yes, Speed step is enabled which is why you see the fluctuation but your CPU should only go as low as ~1600MHz (266x6). Good luck!

[vicaphit]

Ah ha, and I thought I had a major problem. Thanks guys!

[ibleet]

I leave speedstep on when I'm not overclocking...it saves on heat and power. I only want the power to flow when its needed.

[vicaphit]

If I leave my computer overclocked all of the time will this cause a problem?

[DMB2000uk]

As long as the heat is under control and the voltages are sane, then there will be no problem with leaving it overclocked.

Dan

[vicaphit]

Yeah, temps are always in the 40s at idle. I ran the stress test and the highest I saw was 72, but that was about 30 minutes into the test.

[DMB2000uk]

wow, as high as 72?

What is the ambient like there?

I'd want to get a decent cooler to replace the stock one if i was loading like that

Dan

[ibleet]

72 is high...your cooler isn't cutting it. On a budget, the Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 pro is a good deal and works well.

[vicaphit]

I usually don't see that high, just when the stress test was going. It usually hangs in the low to mid 60s during gameplay, since games aren't using all 4 cores.

[DMB2000uk]

Still, save up for an after market cooler.

Intel lists 61/65 (oC) as the maximum temp for the E6600 cores in the Q6600. So higher than that could actually prove to be damaging in the long term.

Dan

[vicaphit]

Yikes, ok, thanks for the info!