CPU multiplier problems.

I recently changed my thermal paste and sanded down my copper heat sink so it contacts the cpu die evenly. Whats funny is that I am getting far less heat, but also far less performance. In 8 thread applications for my quad i7, the multiplier will go as low as 15 or 1500mhz. Its as if under stress its decides to scale down even when its cool, but in times past it would maintain around 3150 mhz for all four cores and 8 threads at a constant multiplier value that would barely flinch. The even funnier thing is that back when it was doing that good it was getting hot into the high 80's and now it doesnt go past 79C for Swtor and 84C for space engine.

Im not sure if this is relevent, but I did away with the thermal pad on the chipset cooler and used a copper shim and paste to cool it instead. I dont see how that would change anything so I assume its a software issue. Its possible I tightened the heatsink to hard, but I would that actually throttle it even when it doesnt get hot? Im at a complete loss and need help.

Specs
OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name DELL-PC
System Manufacturer Dell Inc.
System Model Latitude E6420
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2720QM CPU @ 2.20GHz, 2201 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Dell Inc. A21, 11/14/2013
SMBIOS Version 2.6
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7601.17514"
User Name Dell-PC\Dell
Time Zone Central Daylight Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 3.88 GB
Available Physical Memory 2.12 GB
Total Virtual Memory 7.77 GB
Available Virtual Memory 6.11 GB
Page File Space 3.88 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

 

Four factors that can influence CPU speed are (i) workload (ii) package power consumption (iii) PSU rating (iv) other system temperatures and (v) power plan settings.

I presume that (i) and (iii) are unchanged so the aspects to look at are check in the power plan check that the maximum CPU state is 100% then run HWiNFO and enable sensors. You should get a warming about Dell EC sensors and select Continue to load this sensor. I expect the HWiNFO sensors tab to show temperatures for the CPU, (GPU if separate), Dell EC and Intel PCH. If any of those get too high then the system may throttle. It may also show the CPU package power.

If you get HWiNFO sensors panel running and then load the system you can see what happens. HWiNFO also lists the maximum values so you can check afterwards.

John