Question:

Why is my i5-11400F CPU underperforming on cinebench?

I have an Intel Core i5-11400F CPU with a GTX 1650 GPU and 16 GB of DDR4 RAM. I ran the cinebench R23 multicore test and got a score of 5800, which is much lower than the average score of 9600 that I saw on YouTube videos. My CPU power consumption was only 33W and the temperature was 55°C, which seem too low for a full load. I have not overclocked my CPU or changed any BIOS settings. What could be causing this low CPU performance and how can I fix it?

Answer:

The Intel Core i5-11400F is a 10th generation processor that offers six cores and 12 threads, with a base frequency of 2.6 GHz and a boost frequency of 4.4 GHz. It is designed for gaming and productivity, and it supports features such as Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, and Intel Smart Cache. It has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 65W, which means it can consume up to 65W of power under normal conditions.

However, some users have reported that their i5-11400F CPUs are underperforming on the cinebench R23 benchmark, which is a popular tool for testing the performance of CPUs and GPUs. Cinebench R23 uses the Cinema 4D engine to render a complex 3D scene, and it measures the CPU performance in terms of points. The higher the score, the better the performance.

One user, for example, ran the cinebench R23 multicore test and got a score of 5800, which is much lower than the average score of 9600 that he saw on YouTube videos. He also noticed that his CPU power consumption was only 33W and the temperature was 55°C, which seem too low for a full load. He had not overclocked his CPU or changed any BIOS settings. He wondered what could be causing this low CPU performance and how he could fix it.

There are several possible reasons for this issue, and some of them are listed below:

• Power Plan Settings: The power plan settings in Windows 10 can affect the CPU performance by limiting the power consumption and the clock speed. If the user has selected a power-saving mode, such as Balanced or Power Saver, the CPU may not run at its full potential. To fix this, the user can change the power plan to High Performance or Ultimate Performance, which will allow the CPU to use more power and boost its frequency. The user can also adjust the minimum and maximum processor state in the advanced power settings, and set them to 100% for both.
• Thermal Throttling: Thermal throttling is a mechanism that reduces the CPU performance when the temperature exceeds a certain threshold, to prevent overheating and damage. The i5-11400F has a maximum operating temperature of 100°C, and if it reaches this limit, it will lower its clock speed and voltage. However, sometimes the CPU may throttle even before reaching the maximum temperature, due to faulty sensors, poor cooling, or incorrect BIOS settings. To fix this, the user can check the CPU temperature using a monitoring software, such as HWiNFO or Core Temp, and make sure it is within the safe range. The user can also improve the cooling system by cleaning the dust, replacing the thermal paste, or upgrading the fan or the heatsink.
• Background Processes: Background processes are applications or services that run in the background, without the user’s interaction. They can consume CPU resources and affect the performance of the foreground applications, such as cinebench. To fix this, the user can close any unnecessary programs or processes that are running in the background, using the Task Manager or the System Configuration tool. The user can also disable any startup programs that are not needed, and scan the system for any malware or viruses that may be hogging the CPU.
• BIOS Settings: The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a firmware that controls the hardware settings of the system, such as the CPU frequency, voltage, and power limits. Sometimes, the BIOS settings may be incorrect or outdated, and cause the CPU to underperform. To fix this, the user can enter the BIOS setup and reset the settings to the default values, or update the BIOS to the latest version, using the manufacturer’s website or utility. The user can also enable or disable some features that may affect the CPU performance, such as Intel SpeedStep, Intel Turbo Boost, or Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology.

These

are some of the common causes and solutions for the low CPU performance on cinebench. However, there may be other factors that are specific to the user’s system or configuration, and the user may need to do some further troubleshooting or testing to find the root cause and the optimal solution. The user can also contact the manufacturer’s support or visit online forums for more help and advice.