Intel Turbo Boost NOT working?

So My computer has been somewhat sluggish with my usage patterns so I upgraded the RAM to 16gb. Now my memory usage under my normal use stays under 30-40%. With that said it looks like some of my slow downs (mainly in my Chrome Browser) looks as if its coming from my CPU?! This is surprising because I thought a quad-core processor should handle web browsing with a breeze, yet it tends to hit 50% when multitasking fairly often. The thing that I noticed is when I open Task Manager, my clock speed caps out at 2.35GHZ, which means its NOT turbo boosting. I thought that turbo boost was an automatic thing so is there a reason why my CPU isn't turbo boosting?

 

Your CPU shouldn't be having any issues for any common day tasks or pretty much any game I can think of that you would be throwing at it, your GPU will run out of steam long before the CPU will. My first thought would be if this is only happening when your multi tasking is what are your temps sitting at? You can use CPU-Z or Core Temp and let us know what the temps are at. If your CPU is under a heavy load on all 4 cores then the turbo will not kick in but that has to be a pretty serious load on all 4 cores.

I presume you have checked that your running on high performance mode? and not balanced or low power?

Other thing to try is a malware/spyware scan make sure their is nothing in the system that you don't know about. I recommend Super Anti Spyware and Malware Byrtes. Run them both and clear out what if anything they find.

 

Things start slowing down when I have chrome open, as well as other programs such as Photoshop, maybe a video ( having double monitors is another factor). Specific points where I'm getting lag is loading Twitter, though it does happen on other sites. Even when editing in Photoshop and InDesign things can lag behind when I have a few things open (again I assumed on a quad core it would be a non-issue). Also I leave my computer on Balanced, but configured the settings for Max Performance when plugged in.

So what I want to understand is WHEN does Turbo Boost actually work? (I also checked CPU-Z and I don't know where to see Temp. readings)

 

Sorry maybe I am thinking of HWmonitor...not CPU-Z. I think CPU-Z just shows you all the info on your CPU.

Turbo boost kicks in when ... and I quote. Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

Basically when your not running a heavy load on the CPU and are not near the thermal or power limitations you should be seeing the Turbo boost frequency of 3.4GhZ. As you put more load on the CPU and more cores that frequency will drop to pre-determined levels. Whatever power the other two or three cores would have consumed can be redirected over to the active cores, allowing them to run at higher speeds. I can't see the system terfing turbo boost if your only at 50% usage, but is that on all 4 cores? or just one? It could possibly point to a hardware problem but I wouldn't even consider that until we have ruled out temps.

I am also wondering if it isn't GPU lag? Try shutting off the integrated GPU and running on just the Nvidia card ( FN + F5 and then restart ) see if that helps at all.

 

There's quite a few reasons for slowdowns. I also run balanced mode but do not use Windows power plan for CPU performance adjustment.

Some idle shots.

Standard clocks with no adjustment.


Adjusting MSR 0x64c to turbo with any multi higher than 7 (request fulltime turbo at all performance states)


Adjusting MSR 0x1b0 all cores to policy 0, priority to CPU over iGD.


Using MSI here and they also try to disable turbo when running off battery only. Not a bad idea really if running heavy loads as high discharge rate for the small battery isn't a good thing.

 

I have i7 4700 MQ, too. I found that under "Balanced" mode in Windows 7, Turbo Boost will be turned off. You have to use "High Performance" to have Turbo Boost turn on.