I've got a 14700K processor that might not be reaching its peak performance and I'm wondering if thermals could be a factor. I'm using a 5080 graphics card and while I generally achieve 175-230 FPS in games like Battlefield 6 at 1440p, I can't seem to push my CPU past 4.7-4.8 GHz. My temperatures are sitting between 76-82 degrees, which seems fine since thermal throttling starts around 90-100 degrees. Am I overthinking this or is something possibly wrong?
5 Answers
If you're getting solid FPS, clock speeds may not be the issue. Just because other rigs reach higher GHz doesn’t mean yours is underperforming as they can vary based on workloads and configurations. If you're curious, do some benchmarking.
What software are you using to track your CPU frequencies? Tools like HW Info or CPU-Z can give you a reliable reading. Also, running Cinebench R23 can help you see how your CPU stacks up against others with the same specs.
Make sure Turbo Boost 3.0 is enabled, as you mentioned. But it's also worth checking your power settings in Windows. Set it to 'performance' instead of 'balanced' or 'eco' mode. Another thing to try is benchmarking software like Cinebench or 3D Mark to get a clearer picture of your CPU's performance against others.
Your CPU temperatures are pretty normal for gaming, usually in the 70-85 range. Your FPS looks good too, so it’s hard to say what's off. But if you're really concerned about performance, it’s possible your CPU just doesn't need to boost higher in the current setup. If it runs well, maybe it’s best not to stress over it too much.
Just a heads-up, have you checked if your CPU is affected by the microcode issues? It’s not showing typical symptoms, but keeping your BIOS updated is a good habit. Consider running some benchmarks like Time Spy to see how your CPU performs in comparison with others.

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