Is the concept of a CPU running slower than its base speed a real thing How does that affect computer performance
The base speed is the standard speed the CPU starts with, but it can decrease if the workload is light.
Indeed, this feature has been standard in CPUs for about 15 years as a way to save energy. It’s basically the opposite of turbo boost: the CPU downclocks to save power when the load is low. This can even extend to shutting down unused cores to conserve more energy.
@Reagan
Might want to revise that to say ‘underclock’ instead.
@Reagan
An underclock to 0.6GHz That seems extreme and makes the computer very sluggish. The 600MHz rate is constant, not fluctuating like typical base frequencies. I doubt it’s supposed to be like this, so I plan to contact ASUS to see if there’s a fix or update available.
@Joss
Does the clock speed increase when you start a demanding application, and what power mode is your laptop usually in If it’s on battery power and set to eco mode, that might explain the low speed. However, it shouldn’t be sluggish if the system adjusts the speed based on application demands. You might need to check the warranty on that.
@Kavi
It seems you’re right, it’s stuck at 0.6GHz and won’t adjust even with demanding software like Pro Tools running, especially in eco mode. I might avoid using that setting, though it’s disappointing if it’s causing these issues.
@Joss
It might be a BIOS issue. Consider a hard reset or a BIOS update.
@Joss
If it’s persistently at 0.6GHz regardless of activity, it could be a hardware issue. I’ve seen similar power problems with other brands too. It might be a power delivery problem. Make sure your power settings are maximized and try reinstalling your operating system before you think about a return or warranty claim.
@Joss
My laptop also drops to 800MHz when it’s not doing much.
Base speed is largely irrelevant unless you disable all power management settings. With typical settings, the CPU’s speed will vary significantly based on the workload, ranging from very low frequencies to maximum turbo levels. The base speed is just a rough indication of performance under normal conditions.
Had a similar problem where my CPU was locked at the lowest speed and wouldn’t increase until I rebooted without the charger connected. After that, it worked fine.
That’s not typical, it sounds like a hardware safety feature. In my experience with certain Dell models, this happens because the embedded controller that manages power starts failing. It doesn’t recognize power inputs correctly and restricts the CPU to a very low speed, rendering the device almost useless. Unfortunately, there’s no easy fix since it’s a mainboard issue.
@Ash
I faced a similar issue but managed to solve it using a specific app that resets the clock speed.
@Ash
That post is about my new 2024 Asus Proart P16. I haven’t customized any settings; it’s just on the standard power modes like ‘eco’ and ‘performance’.
This is a common issue in many laptops.
Are the new Ryzen laptops breaking the 8-core barrier That’s impressive, especially with the upcoming 3nm technology, which promises better performance with reasonable power usage.
Keller said:
Are the new Ryzen laptops breaking the 8-core barrier That’s impressive, especially with the upcoming 3nm technology, which promises better performance with reasonable power usage.
Actually, the AI 370 model uses a 4p and 8e configuration. Previous models like the 7945HX and 8840HS were 12 and 8 cores, respectively, but didn’t use the P+E architecture.
@Joss
Interesting, even though the compact cores can multi-thread, they’re not quite like Intel’s. And yes, I remember now, the 7945hx is a 16-core, 32-thread processor, complete with 3D cache, designed specifically for laptops.