Underclocking

[Ol!ver]

It's a long time since I posted on these forums at all, and it's even longer since I ventured into the overclocking area, but here I am, with a typically odd question.

I've recently set up an old C2D 2.4GHz machine up as an Ubuntu server, with a couple of HDDs in it for storage and Time Machine backups for the two Macs in the house. Yes a Time Capsule would be easier, but I need to learn command line stuff so this makes sense on a couple of fronts...

Anyway, I'm wondering about underclocking the CPU/RAM/whatever in order to reduce heat and power consumption. I want to be able to lose a couple of fans if possible in order to reduce noise, so getting rid of heat is a big reason for underclocking, obviously.

It's a long time since I even considered CPU settings and the likes, so I'm after a quick refresher - any reason I can't just drop the multiplier a few notches? Will the chip eventually start to have a fit if it's being run too slow?

Might be daft questions, but thought I'd put them out there.

Ta muchly!

 

[richb93]

It's a long time since I posted on these forums at all, and it's even longer since I ventured into the overclocking area, but here I am, with a typically odd question.

I've recently set up an old C2D 2.4GHz machine up as an Ubuntu server, with a couple of HDDs in it for storage and Time Machine backups for the two Macs in the house. Yes a Time Capsule would be easier, but I need to learn command line stuff so this makes sense on a couple of fronts...

Anyway, I'm wondering about underclocking the CPU/RAM/whatever in order to reduce heat and power consumption. I want to be able to lose a couple of fans if possible in order to reduce noise, so getting rid of heat is a big reason for underclocking, obviously.

It's a long time since I even considered CPU settings and the likes, so I'm after a quick refresher - any reason I can't just drop the multiplier a few notches? Will the chip eventually start to have a fit if it's being run too slow?

Might be daft questions, but thought I'd put them out there.

Ta muchly!

Nope, shouldn't have any issues. IIRC I could underclock my Q6600 down to 600MHz if I wanted to

 

[bremen1874]

Assuming cpu power management is enabled the cpu will be running on the lowest possible multiplier most of the time anyway.

As a C2D will normally overclock to some reasonable extent at default volts, there's a good chance that it'll run at stock with a reduced voltage.

You mention losing a couple of fans. A C2D running at stock shouldn't need more than two fans in the first place (one cpu, one case).

 

[koooowweeee]

You will have on problem down clocking

down clock your gpu as well. I do it to my gtx 480's when playing old games.
You could even flash the bios on the card to make it stay like that and set the fan speed on the card lower so its quieter.

 

[minicle]

You should just be able to undervolt it, decrease the heat and lose some fans. Just be sure to stability test it.

Reducing the clock would do little, same voltage, same heat output.

There is a thread somewhere on this forum from a couple of years ago, giving an example of an i7 920 at stock undervolted to 1v down stock. Search the cpu forum for undervolting.

 

[Admetos]

I have undervolted my machine in sig. CPU-Z is showing 1.02 for CPU, and 1333mhz memory is set at 1.3v.

I have also clocked down chipset and qpi voltages (set them both as low as bios would allow).

I can confirm all the above made a real difference to temp reduction, that much I run the fans in my case at 5v.

What helped is my Seasonic X650 - I use to have an OCZ 600w but could not under volt the same.