CPU-Z reliability?

[Johnny Nuge]

How reliable is CPU-Z? Been trying to OC my new E4300. Seems like many are getting 3Ghz+ easy out of theirs (on stock Vcore) , but I was struggling with stability at 2.7-2.8 with minor voltage adjustments. Thought I just got a bunk cpu, but then I noticed inconsistencies in CPU-Z readings. Using a mild OC of 2.4GHz (266x9) and manually setting my Vcore to stock 1.325, readings on CPU-Z fluctuate between 1.280V and 1.264V running ORTHOS. Leaving Vcore at stock 1.325V on auto yields fluctuating Vcore on CPU-Z of 1.376V or 1.360V. In order to be near stock 1.325V on CPU-Z, I have to set Vcore manually in BIOS to 1.375V. Should I believe my BIOS or CPU-Z readings?

 

[f4phantom2500]

it's reliable; the differences are due to either your power supply being slightly inconsistent and/or your motherboard slightly overvolting your cpu, which is also why it keeps jumping around. the bios setting is ideal, but what is ideal is hardly ever what's real when it come to voltages. it's probably still within tolerance; i have the same psu as you do and i haven't had any problems. same stuff happens to me but it's nothing to worry about.

 

[geokilla]

I get the same thing. When I undervolted my X-2 3800+, the voltage readings from CPU-Z never changed. When I set the voltage to 1.18V in the BIOS, I got 1.35V in CPU-Z while from PC Probe I got 1.24V. Now I have a Deer Power Supply so I understand that it will have a small effect on the power outage.

 

[Johnny Nuge]

Yeah, its probably that FAR Ultra PS.

Thanks for the quick responses.

 

[Shimmishim]

cpu-z is highly inaccurate with voltage after a certain point... not sure where... look into another program...

 

[f4phantom2500]

Originally posted by: Shimmishim
cpu-z is highly inaccurate with voltage after a certain point... not sure where... look into another program...

It's pretty accurate to me...either it depends on what you consider "highly inaccurate" or I just never have gotten to that point; it's always been close enough to not matter for me.

 

[lopri]

I'd blame vCore fluctuation on mobo. ASUS boards are typically the worst. DFI being the best.

OP: Your fluctuation is safely within the tolerance. 0.01~0.02V of dancing shouldn't affect the stability unless you're going with extremely agressive OC (not just CPU but including FSB and memory timings). My A8N-SLI Premium (wow that's over 2 years ago now) used to dance between 1.43~1.56V with X2 4800+ under load. Boy, did I hate that board!

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Shimmishim
cpu-z is highly inaccurate with voltage after a certain point... not sure where...

According to Duvie, CPU-Z is accurate up to 1.425v, with C2D's. He said that after you go above that point, it goes crazy. With Athlon 64's, it's accurate, no matter how high you set the vcore.