Simulating Intel turbo mode with AMD Overdrive

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipse [...] i=3551&p=4

According to the above link, it is easy for AMD processors to simulate Intel's turbo mode with AMD Overdrive.

Let's say we play with a 955 BE. If I put core0 to 3.6 Ghz, and all the other cores to 2.8 Ghz, and then put all 4 cores on 100% load, will I see a decrease in energy consumption? Or maybe I need to lower the voltage as well in order to reduce energy consumption?

Will the above tweaked cpu run cooler at 100% load than a normal 3.2 Ghz 955 at 100% load?

Also, it is safe to greatly reduce the multiplier of a core to make it run at say 2ghz or less, while keeping the stock voltage?

I don't have a 955 BE yet btw, I'll probably buy one in 1 month, but still on the fence whether to buy the 955 or i5. The most cpu intensive apps I will use are games, and in games, from the benchmarks I saw, i5 with turbo will easily beat a 965, let alone a 955.

However, without turbo, then the 965 is faster (and prolly the 955 too). The way I see it is that maybe 2 years from now, when games will be even more multi-threaded, when all 4 cores are at 100% load, I doubt the turbo can kick in.

And today, turbo on dual-core optimized games are overkill since there isn't any practical difference between 60 and 75 fps for example. The one thing that kinda leaves me wondering if whether most games will be optimized for intel or AMD architecture. Some games like FarCry 2 have the i5 even without turbo handily beating the 965.