CPU and GPU underclocking?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
A

AdamShep

Honorable
Jul 25, 2013
82
0
10,640
I have noticed that my CPU and GPU underclocks a lot when idle, my CPU underclocks from 3.4 - 3.8 GHz to 1.6 GHz , and my GPU from 1020 MHz to 324 MHz(core) and from 1502 MHz to 162 MHz (memory)

Well when this is good, i would like to know if this could help saving electricity reducing the watts required to run the system?

Moreover besides CPU and CPU which other components consume a lot of electricity?

I have two HDD's , having an extra one does it add to the electricity bill?

My rig:
Processor: i5 3570
Mobo: Gigabyte ga-h77m-d3h
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X (2 X 4 gb)
HDD: WD Caviar blue(320 GB) and
Seagate Barracude(1 TB)
Graphics Card: Asus Gtx 650 ti boost 2 gb directcu ii oc

Thanks

Sorry if this question is posted in the wrong section
 
Solution
maddogfargo
Sort by date Sort by votes
Bejusek

Bejusek

Distinguished
Sep 4, 2009
904
0
19,360
Yes, it significantly reduces power consumption. Moreover it allows all components to run cooler, increasing their lifespan. Less power = less heat = slower fans, it's more quiet.

As you noticed CPU and GPU are major power consumers. At full load 650ti boost can eat up to 130W and 3570 about 110W (while using IGP).

Rest of the components is not very power hungry.
HDD at 7200 RPMs eat up to 10W (while full speed writing), at idle 3-4W.
A 120mm fan up to 2W.

Adding another HDD won't cost you a fortune.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Sakkura

Sakkura

Illustrious
Aug 22, 2011
8,129
3
37,965

Yes, it reduces the power consumption of the system substantially. The power consumption of a processor is proportional to the clock frequency and to the square of the voltage, and when the CPU or GPU is idle, it drops the clocks dramatically and even reduces the voltage a little.

The CPU and GPU are by far the most power-hungry components inside a computer. The motherboard, RAM and hard drives/SSDs each only draw a little power. The monitor is probably going to draw more than those things combined, and then there are whatever devices you connect by USB (eg. a charging smartphone).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
maddogfargo

maddogfargo

Splendid
Nov 28, 2006
3,344
8
22,965


Don't worry, this is completely normal for the reasons you and others have stated above.

As for power consumption, Intels do very well in that area. I'd be surprised if you pull 70w @ idle for your whole system. To compare, I have a less efficient and overclocked Phenom II x6 @ 3.6GHz in an SSD based server running 24x7 and @ 1-2% CPU usage it pulls 86w. That's like leaving 1 lightbulb on 24x7.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom