14

I have a (as in factory specs) 3.6 GHz AMD FM2 A8-Series A8 5600K CPU and There is at lease 0.2 GHz difference between hardware reports in Windows and Linux.

I was tested on:

  • Win7 ultimate x64 & x86 ( both tests for 3.4 GHz )
  • Win8.1 Pro x64 & x86 ( both tests for 3.5 GHz )
  • Ubuntu 14.10 & 14.10.1 x86 & x64 (tests were right its 3.6 GHz )
  • Linux Mint 17
    • x86 & x64 Mate tested for 3.55 GHz
    • x86 & x64 Cinnamon were right for 3.6 GHz

I know the the CPU and my ASROCK motherboard available to OC (OverClock) but its not enabled so I think it does not effect on HW tests.

Anyone has an idea if its a sign for broken Hardware or just some OS stuff?

Giacomo1968
  • 58,727
Dániel Sebestyén
  • 243

2 Answers2

21

Would recommend something like Speccy to get accurate specifications of your PC.

Thing is Task Manger on Windows 8/8.1 always show the present clock. Sometimes when some type of power saving is enabled(especially in Laptops) the processor "Underclocks" on the go to save power and you will see a smaller number in Task Man.

wuodland
  • 892
7

Even without overclocking or underclocking, modern CPUs change their speed, it can enter turbo mode or it can enter power saving mode (and dip way way down). The difference in the exact background processes running is what accounts for the difference in reported speed.

In fact, for many CPU monitoring programs you can observe the changes in speed in real time as you run / close programs

taltamir
  • 440