diff --git a/sys/x86/x86/tsc.c b/sys/x86/x86/tsc.c
--- a/sys/x86/x86/tsc.c
+++ b/sys/x86/x86/tsc.c
@@ -212,10 +212,18 @@
 			memcpy(p, regs, sizeof(regs));
 			p += sizeof(regs);
 		}
+
+		/*
+		 * Begin the search at &brand[5]; we currently expect no less
+		 * than four digits for the frequency and either M/G/T modifier
+		 * beforehand -- let's avoid getting thrown off by potential
+		 * garbage.
+		 */
 		p = NULL;
-		for (i = 0; i < sizeof(brand) - 1; i++)
+		for (i = 5; i < sizeof(brand) - 1; i++)
 			if (brand[i] == 'H' && brand[i + 1] == 'z')
 				p = brand + i;
+
 		if (p != NULL) {
 			p -= 5;
 			switch (p[4]) {