Intel turbo boost stopped working in Windows 7

[Munky]

I just recently noticed that my Core i7 860 is not reaching full turbo boost in Windows 7. Not sure why, because it worked for a number of years previously, and still works as expeted when dual booting to Windows XP. So I'm suspecting this is a Windows 7 software problem, rather than a bios or hardware problem.

System specs:
Asus p7p55d, latest bios
Intel Core i7 860
Cooler Master Hyper 212+ cooler
12GB DDR3
AMD Radeon r9 380
Windows 7 SP1 with recent updates
Windows XpP SP3

The basic problem is that the CPU only clocks up to 22x multiplier - this is the max turbo frequency when all cores are active. When only 1 core is under load, it's supposed to clock up to 26x multiplier, but my cpu still goes only up to 22x, no matter how many cores are active. I'm using cpu-z and Tmonitor to measure the cpu frequency. Any ideas what can be causing this?

Things I already tried:
-resetting bios defaults
-reinstalling cpu driver in device manager
-changing power plan setings

 

[VirtualLarry]

Probably an MS/Intel Micro-code update for the CPU, delivered as a Window Update. Probably part of the Spectre / Meltdown mitigation efforts for Intel CPUs. I've heard reports that these mitigations and new microcode, interfere with overclocking in some cases.

Edit: You could potentially verify this, by installing a fresh copy of Windows 7, onto a new / fresh HDD (unplug the first drive), and then testing with a fresh install, without updates.

 

[Arkaign]

Give ThrottleStop a look. Gives you some more advanced controls to work with. If you're sure cooling and volts are happy, and it sounds like you are, then this may give you what you want.

 

[unclewebb]

To go beyond the 22 multiplier you need to have either the C3, C6 or C7 core C state enabled in the bios.

Try using ThrottleStop. It will report if your CPU is using any of the C states.

 

[Shmee]

Also, you should have unlocked BCLK, so you could just OC the CPU with that. You may not have an x58 board, but the first gen i7s are still pretty nifty.