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April 1st, 2025 03:21
Aurora ACT1250, Ultra 7KF will not run faster than 5.2GHz? anyone else?
am running CPU-Z stress test in performance mode. It doesn't matter what mode I run though from Quite to Custom (set to 5.6Ghz), it always just runs at 5.2Ghz. When I run the Intel extreme tuning utility and set the CPU to 5.5Mhz it will run and not crash but 5-6 CPUS of the 20 will them throttle and my benchmarks like steel nomad are actually lower, which is not a surprise. I called Dell and they said this was normal, but I really think I should see the CPU run at 5.5, I believe the KF is supposed to throttle to 5.5 when turbo boost is enabled so I should see it run and 5.5 when I bench shouldn't I? I am trying to decide if I should return it or if it really is fine. I have reset the CMOS and tried different memory. I could try to re-paste the CPU but Dell said that would void the warranty. Any insight would be appreciated as my time to return is running out. 
Vanadiel
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April 1st, 2025 14:12
What is the temperature? Also, 300 Watts power draw seems off to me, should be 250 Watts according to Intel specs.
Intel specifications
Since this is OEM configurable it's also possible they set the maximum power draw during boost to a lower then maximum value, in which case it would limit the boost frequency.
Dell only lists the base power, not the turbo maximum boost power. So it's possible design decisions were made that limit the maximum boost power. Someone from Dell would have to chime in to confirm this.
Dell processor specifications.
AlienAbductedagain
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April 1st, 2025 16:42
I never noticed the 300w - interesting as that is set by Dell not me. I can’t say I understand that - normal should be like 125 and 250 is the max as I recall.
AlienAbductedagain
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April 1st, 2025 16:44
It is thermal throttling at 104 when I try to force it to run faster than 5.2 with intel extreme but at 5.2 it runs in the mid to upper 90c when stress testing.
Vanadiel
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April 1st, 2025 18:04
@AlienAbductedagain Sounds like thermals are holding it back then. Could still be a design decision. Only Dell would be able to confirm the maximum wattage they allow under boost mode.
AlienAbductedagain
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April 1st, 2025 19:22
I both tried to get that information from chat support as well as call support and all they would tell me is the diagnostics passed so it is working as intended. I kept saying I bought the if so I would be able to throttle up a bit when I am compiling a program I could have bought the cheaper ultra 7 to get 5.2ghz but I am not sure if that is true now. Maybe it is working as intended. When I asked on Reddit another person said his r16 ultra 7 is definitely running at 5.5 so I am not sure if I should return this or not.