Is it safe to have the CPU at its max clock all the time?

I had to edit the registry to change intel's power management because it was making my PC freeze and blue screen, so now the CPU idles at 3.30 ghz instead of being under 2 ghz.

Will this affect the longevity of the CPU or does it just use more power? I don't usually leave the PC all day and shut it off when I'm not using it.

Hello @Cat64 and welcome to ElevenForum.

What CPU are we talking about?
In general, if the temps are OK... then the CPU speed is OK.

In CPU world, speed doesn't kill. Heat does!

Hello and thanks! It is an Intel Core i-3 12100F.

Cat64 said:

Hello and thanks! It is an Intel Core i-3 12100F.

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You should be OK if the temps are OK.
Idle temp should be about 30-40C, and 100% load temp shouldn't go over, say... 75C

That's a 58W TDP, CPU... you should be fine.

3.3Ghz is just the performance core clock. The boost clock for that CPU is 4.3Ghz.

Is there anyway to see CPU temp? Taskmanager only shows GPU temp.

Cat64 said:

Is there anyway to see CPU temp? Taskmanager only shows GPU temp.

Click to expand...

HWInfo (free) will show you the min., max., and current temps of just about everything.



If you want something more basic... the free version of SPECCY...

Best little app for monitoring core temps is CoreTemp. Core Temp

glasskuter said:

Best little app for monitoring core temps is CoreTemp

Click to expand...

Been using it for years.

Yep. Have been using since ....

This is what it looks like

Gives you all the info needed.
left column is actual.
then you have minimum and to the right, max.
plus load and power used.




And in the notification area when minimized.