i5-3450 3.1GHz @ 3.9GHz

[BASGTA]

I bought an i5 3450 a few weeks ago. I heard that the max frequency was locked at 3.5GHz by Intel. However my motherboard (Z77 Pro3) allows me to adjust the clock right up to 39, allowing for 3.9GHz

With Intel Speedstep on, all software that monitors clock speed will show speed constantly changing. With it off, only a few programs show it changing, while others stick to default speed (3100MHz) Again, with Intel Speedstep both on and off the clock bounces from 1600MHz up to 3700MHz - 3800MHz, every once in a while hitting 3900MHz.

With Intel Turbo off I can't adjust any of the settings and it's locked at 3100MHz.

I'm wondering if there's a way to lock the multipler at 39.

[DragonFury]

thats a non k series CPU, the CPU will adjust automatically according to what you are doing so it will bounce from one to the next, when you have speed step turned on. According to intel that CPU's max Quad CPU turbo multiplier is 35 (HERE) i am guessing the 3.9GHz you are seeing is when the CPU is running 1 core not on all four. so to get 3.9GHz out of it will require you to overclock the BCLK of the board. and it is seriously doubt full you will be able to hit a 112 BCLK on the Z77 based motherboards.

To overclock that CPU it would be a good idea to lock the turbo multiplier to its highest setting, then up the BCLK. Or get a K series CPU.

[Barb]

You cannot expect to tweak the multipliers or the bclk on a B75 chipset. The i5 3450 has a multiplier limit of 39 for a max OC of 3.9ghz. You can only access the multiplier or bclk if you have a z75 or z75 chip set.
Did you try downloading from Intel the Intel(R) Turbo Boost Technology Monitor? I would trust it.

[lordvic]

You cannot expect to tweak the multipliers or the bclk on a B75 chipset. The i5 3450 has a multiplier limit of 39 for a max OC of 3.9ghz. You can only access the multiplier or bclk if you have a z75 or z75 chip set.
Did you try downloading from Intel the Intel(R) Turbo Boost Technology Monitor? I would trust it.

The OP states he is running a Z77 chipset-based motherboard.

According to Intel, DragonFury seems to be correct. 3.5GHz is the official maximum frequency "Turbo Boost" can do. Only thing is, I'm stumped on how your chip is "turboing" to 3.9GHz. The latest revision of the "Desktop 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Family Specification Update" (Dated March 2013) shows the i5-3450 does the following:

"
4 Core - 3.2GHz
3 Core - 3.3GHz
2 Core - 3.5GHz
1 Core - 3.6GHz
"

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ ... pdate.html
(Page 15 of 48)

I'm not sure if the 3.9GHz boost is from the motherboard.

[Spamburger]

You cannot expect to tweak the multipliers or the bclk on a B75 chipset. The i5 3450 has a multiplier limit of 39 for a max OC of 3.9ghz. You can only access the multiplier or bclk if you have a z75 or z75 chip set.
Did you try downloading from Intel the Intel(R) Turbo Boost Technology Monitor? I would trust it.

The OP states he is running a Z77 chipset-based motherboard.

According to Intel, DragonFury seems to be correct. 3.5GHz is the official maximum frequency "Turbo Boost" can do. Only thing is, I'm stumped on how your chip is "turboing" to 3.9GHz. The latest revision of the "Desktop 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Family Specification Update" (Dated March 2013) shows the i5-3450 does the following:

"
4 Core - 3.2GHz
3 Core - 3.3GHz
2 Core - 3.5GHz
1 Core - 3.6GHz
"

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ ... pdate.html
(Page 15 of 48)

I'm not sure if the 3.9GHz boost is from the motherboard.

The method for overclocking these "locked" processors is the same as an i5/i7-K. Non-K type i5s and i7s can be overclocked up to 400 mhz over the stock and turbo frequencies by changing the processor's multiplier.