CPU multiplier/speed constantly changing when idle

I have a C2D t8300 chip. I've used RMclock and CPU-z to monitor the speed and multiplier of my cores when idle.

I noticed that when I have rmclock management off or closed, my multipliers are rapidly and constantly changing when idle. I know they are supposed to change but I thought only in response to cpu demand, and this seems to be very frequent. See picture below for an example.

http://img247.imageshack.us/my.php?image=throttlerg2.jpg


When I setup rmclock to manage my cpu, the multipliers are NOT changing when idle. They only change when I open a program, or do something that requires processing power.

http://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nothrottlerk6.jpg


So I ask, which one of these is normal, and which could be indicative of a problem? I would think that the constant multiplier switching is not normal. I ask because I am afraid I may have somehow screwed up the default/stock management of my cpu with rmclock (although i thought this was impossible, I thought rmclock only altered the settings when open). Any help/insight would be appreciated.

 

That's strange, I just tried, having RMclock on or off, my multipliers don't rapidly and constantly changing when idle. Is there a process running in the background? Check Task Manager to see which process is taking some CPU usage while idling without RMclock.

By the way, nice wallpaper of HK night view.

 

There is definitely something using your CPU. Maybe the svchost network...

 

check in the BIOS if there is any setting for cpu multiplier(such as Auto, etc.)....or does the frequency variates when in the BIOS too....!! you could try disabling CPU Enhanced Halt State (maybe C1E)..!! if not there could be a bug which is playing with the throttling of the CPU....!! try a BIOS reset but that would be useful only if you have changed any settings in the BIOS before..!! Lastly you could try upgrading the BIOS, maybe that could help..!!

 

Thats what I thought at first, but I don't believe thats the case. As soon as I switch to rmclock management (performance on demand, ticked p-state transiitions) the constant switching stops. As soon as I switch to default control via (?windows, bios, i honestly don't know what controls it) the cpu decides to constantly change speeds

Is there any way rmclock could have messed up the default control over the cpu? I never looked at the cpu multiplier switching before I installed it.

 

No, that should be hardwired in the bios.

I know this is extreme, but there could be a bios update that could fix this issue. That's what I would think first.

 

You don't believe? Did you actually check TM?

And no, RMclock does not mess up the default control over the CPU. You can always run RMClock_WipeOut.reg if you're worried. But when RMclock is not running, default settings should be back.

 

I doubt that Rmclock could have messed up your cpu....never ever heard of it....!! it is more likey because of a bug in the bios or a program conflict which is causing some weird throttling issues w.r.t. your cpu....!! rmclock is sort of a software emulation to manage the multipliers....so there could be a problem in the registry as well....run the rmclock_wipeout.reg as stewiegriffin advised or clean up the registry with a good software which backups up the registry befoe cleaning..!! but do go for the BIOS upgrade and enquire which bugs that upgrade would fix..!!

 

CPU usage when idle, whether or not the multipliers are constant or spiking is 7-12%, and sidebar is the most intensive user so it doesnt seem like any program is causing this. It works fine with rmclock so I'll just leave that open, and maybe try updating or redoing the bios.

 

By the way, did this happen before you tried RMclock for the first time?

Also, I just did a quick search, in BIOS, there might be a CPU power setting as "Cool and Quiet", you may try disabling it and see if it changes anything.

Maybe it's a bug with the BIOS, but also could be just a setting in the BIOS.

 

I uninstalled rmclock, cleared the registry, reflashed to the newest bios, and checked for the cool and quiet feature in the bios but it wasn't there. Still having the same issue!

I guess I'll just always run rmclock since that prevents the constant up and down throttling. Other than that is there any negative effect of having your cpu constantly throttle up and down other than decreased battery life?

And i never checked if this behavior occurred before installing rmclock, i only noticed after due to the differences i saw with and without rmclock management on.

Thanks for all the help!

 

I tried searching for similar cases, but only thing I can find was that cool and quiet thing in the BIOS, however your BIOS doesn't have this option.

Another thing I would try is maybe updating the Intel chipset driver. Are you using the manufacturer provided one or the latest directly from Intel?

http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/sb/CS-022768.htm

Many times the manufacturer one is outdated.

 

I was just going to say do you notice any negative effect of it?
Do you notice any effect on your battery life?

I actually think there is no problem.

I had a Macbook Air in XP that did exactly what you are describing.

Edit: I just checked your pictures and I must say my MBA did not throttle that often!

 

Last resort, check for the CPU Enhanced Halt State (C1E) in the BIOS Advanced settings....I am not sure if you will find that settiing since it might be an OEM bios..!!
it could be a program conflict, so if it is possible for you to do a complete format and reinstall windows to check if the multiplier issue is software or hardware related..!!
try out crystalCPUID....it has got an option for some sort of Multiplier Management, but I dont know what it is exactly for..!!

 

Turn off your thinkvantage or any other power management program you have then restart your notebook

 

Ehh no go... I think I'm going to give up. I can get it to stop throttling by using high performance windows power scheme in conjunction with rmclock managing voltages and p-states.(rmclock overrides the windows powerscheme and adjusts the multiplier appropriately according to processor demand).

I don't think the rapid throttling had an effect on performance, it is just a little upsetting that my new laptop is not behaving as it should.