AthlonXP Underclocking for a Low-Power Fix

Test Results

Temperature Readings Of AMD CPU Coolers

Not all motherboards let you throttle back the supply voltage on the AthlonXP to the lowest values. For this reason, we carried out measurements at the usual 1.65 V and at the 1.375 V that represents the minimum achievable on numerous motherboards.

Cooler temperatures at a CPU core voltage of 1.375 V.

Cooler temperatures at a CPU core voltage of 1.650 V.

As long the processor fan is rotating - at whatever speed - all coolers performed to our satisfaction. Particularly when operating at 1.65 V, the fan speed made little difference; the heat sink's design is by far the most important factor. Only at 1.375 V do you have the option of passively cooling your system - but only with the Coolermaster and Zalman models, however. The simple Thermalright is after all a low-cost model.

Temperature Readings Of Intel P4 CPU Coolers