Overclocking with Ubuntu

Question

I overclocked my CPU in BIOS using a multiplier. Everything in Ubuntu still shows the CPU frequency is stock. Is the CPU running at stock frequency, or is it overclocked like it's supposed to be? Is there a utility that shows the accurate frequency (like CPUZ for windows)?

edit: Specifically when typing 'lscpu' into Terminal, or viewing CPU info in the settings it shows stock frequency. CPUZ (windows app) also shows stock frequency under the CPU info, but there is another section that shows the actual frequency that the CPU is running at. Any way to access that info in Ubuntu?

Solution

Yes, you can install i7z using

sudo apt-get install i7z

and then run it with sudo i7z, stress your cpu using something like handbrake, and during encoding, clock speeds will be shown accurately. Sadly right now i7z doesn't show temperatures but I think they will be added in future versions.

Comments

[dobey]

What is Everything in Ubuntu you are talking about, where you see the frequency? New Intel CPUs all have automatic power adjustment, and overclocking changes the maximum clock speed, not the standard operating speed. You will only likely "see" higher clock speeds, when it is necessary (like when playing a heavy 3D game in Steam, for example). See superuser.com/questions/758408/… for example.

[walden]

For example under System settings, Details. It lists the CPU there along with the frequency. I also set the clock speed to non-adaptive, so it should be fixed at the overclocked frequency. I also have InfoPanel installed and it shows the stock frequency. Same with Sysmonitor screenlet. Also when I type 'lscup' into Terminal, it says the CPU Frequency is 3.2, which is stock.

[dobey]

Run sudo dmidecode -t processor and check the speed and voltage reported there.

[walden]

That still shows the stock frequency.

[spharish]

Can you tell me the required bits for 32 bit systems?

[Floyd]

should be the same