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Source: Tom's Hardware – Keywords: amd, power, cpu
Topics: AMD/ATI
Syndication:
Energy Consumption: The Processor and Cool'n'Quiet Mode
Let’s start with the measurements that were taken with the processor in standby mode, with Cool’n’Quiet mode activated. In this case, the CPU switches down to the lowest possible clock rate, and depending on which CPU model is used, may also deactivate some core items and then tells the motherboard to lower the core voltage. In this case the core is lowered to 1.0 V.
In order for Cool’n’Quiet mode to work, it must be activated via the BIOS. In most cases, though, it is activated by default.
The operating system must also offer a way for the processor’s clock rate to be lowered. With Vista, in the “Control Panel”, an option called “Energy Options” is selected and changed to “Energy save mode”.
Choosing the energy saving mode lowers the CPU’s clock rate
The unburdened processor will, if the motherboard and operating system do not conflict, fall into Cool’n’Quiet mode and dynamically lower its clock rate. A Cool’n’Quiet driver is necessary for Windows XP users; it can be downloaded from AMD’s website . The latest version of the AMD driver is 1.3.2.0053.

The Phenom uses twice as much energy and comes in last place, while the new “e” models live up to their names and achieve new bests. Because the Sempron 64 processors only have one core, they trail behind the classic Athlon 64 X2 models. The combined values give the logical succession that is seen on the chart.
- Previous page Testing 35 AMD Processors
- Next page Energy Consumption: Cool’n’Quiet and...



The are still built on the 90nm process.
The P45 will introduce the 65nm process on the chipsets.
The latest AMD Chipsets use the 55nm process.
In regards to CPUs, The Intel CPUs generally use less than the AMD CPUs.
He was simply pointing out that the CPUs lose some of the benefeit of their low power consumption due to the chipset.
For lower-end chips sitting idle, the difference in power usage of the chipsets can be significant. If you are looking at a higher-end chip under load, the power usage of the chipset becomes nominal.
Intel is not the greenest if it is less power hungry? Do they not meet RoHS standard or something?
Rohs = reduction of hazrdous substances, nothing to do with power consumption
at least one could see, if intel's "nominal" TDP's are as regular as amd's.
here we see, the phenom 95 watts DO HAVE 95 watts at maximum.
IMO the dynamic power used by the processor is a factor of frequency, voltage and probably the number of transistors. The Phenom has 2 more cores, and a much larger L3 cache. The Phenom core itself is fairly similar to the K8s, and should not exhibit that much power increase if you can match the setup of a typical X2...
I would be interested to see a chart that showed how many watts it takes to do a multi threaded task. For example, a faster core(s) finishes the job quicker then can drop to its low power state. And also on how much work can be done in a distributed computing task. This would be similar to "it takes X-watts to complete a task.”
Its grate and more economyc than cool n´quite.
HTPCs is probably hit the hardest by this, and any other system that is placed in so called computer desks that have a closed cabinet for the PC. Hot running system increases heat generation and affects home/server room temperatures which also affects the power bill. Cooler running systems also lead to quieter system cause of the decrease of cooling fans.
One Item I would also like to see tested are power consumption among motherboards. CPUs and GPUs are obvious that the higher the performance the more the power will be used, but how does it compare with motherboards.
Nice article! I would be interested to see a chart that showed how many watts it takes to do a multi threaded task. For example, a faster core(s) finishes the job quicker then can drop to its low power state. And also on how much work can be done in a distributed computing task. This would be similar to "it takes X-watts to complete a task.?
YES! Specifically, I'd like to see how much energy is used by each system if they have to do the same task for a given about of time ... like play a dvd for 2 hours.
-m