How to Underclock my CPU

[soulslicer]

Well, my old system (Dell Dimension) with it's 2.8Ghz Processor HT has been running for over 5 years, and since I'm using it only for downloading, I figure I could buy it more life by underclocking it. I'm a overunderclocking newbie, so recommend me the right software and information about multipliers, voltages etc.

 

[Kadayi]

Unless you've been overclocking it like crazy already you've probably got about 20 years of life left in the chip tbh. No real need to underclock it.

Still:-

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/oc-guide.html

or: -

http://techreport.com/articles.x/13815

 

[PimpinPenguin]

You do know that your processor isn't running at 2.8GHZ all the time. Your processor underclocks itself when full power is not needed, so if your downloading stuff your processor won't be running at 2.8GHZ. Underclocking can be dangerous and the benefit is minimal. I'd recommend not bothering.

 

[Barney Fife]

Last time I checked (Less than 5 yrs ago) you couldn't over/underclock an OEM stuff.
Underclocking won't extend lifespan. 2.8 is the peak speed for the CPU, and CPU does not run at peak speed all the time.
clean system often (dusting down thoroughly,) to maintain long lives.

Good Luck.

 

[PimpinPenguin]

I always thought that Dells were locked and were prevented from overclocking/underclocking.
Most OEMs lock out the features of the Bios required for overclocking and even if you do manage to unlock them you usally find the motherboard to be the bottleneck.

 

[soulslicer]

I think it's pretty bad-ass that my system survived over 5 years already. And doing a check using CPU-Z, my core always maintains a speed of 2.79Ghz, even when idle. I unlocked my motherboard a long while back (because I forgot my BIOS password), so I could underclock it, maybe drop the multiplier or something, but since you guys are saying it wont extend it's lifespan..well

 

[Barney Fife]

I think it's pretty bad-ass that my system survived over 5 years already. And doing a check using CPU-Z, my core always maintains a speed of 2.79Ghz, even when idle. I unlocked my motherboard a long while back (because I forgot my BIOS password), so I could underclock it, maybe drop the multiplier or something, but since you guys are saying it wont extend it's lifespan..well

I think you misunderstood CPU-Z. 2.79Ghz is your CPU set frequency top speed. Meaning CPU operates at 2.79GHz under massive load. It does not however mean when idle. That's why you will also find info about frequencies for other components, multiply setting and such. CPU-Z reports only your settings and component info and nothing else.
As far as BIOS password; you can reset bios settings through jumpers, and password will reset. Consult with system owner's manual, or Dell support for assistance on how to reset MB jumper.

Good Luck.

 

[PimpinPenguin]

I think it's pretty bad-ass that my system survived over 5 years already. And doing a check using CPU-Z, my core always maintains a speed of 2.79Ghz, even when idle. I unlocked my motherboard a long while back (because I forgot my BIOS password), so I could underclock it, maybe drop the multiplier or something, but since you guys are saying it wont extend it's lifespan..well

5 years is nothing. I still use my 11 year old AMD K6 PC to download stuff. It not been upgraded or had any parts changed and it still works flawlessly. The only thing i do is clean it from time to time. I also have a 4 year old P4 3.2 overclocked at 3.8 again on stock heating. That PC is running at it's limits and still going strong.

 

[Asus]

You do know that your processor isn't running at 2.8GHZ all the time. Your processor underclocks itself when full power is not needed, so if your downloading stuff your processor won't be running at 2.8GHZ. Underclocking can be dangerous and the benefit is minimal. I'd recommend not bothering.

Underclocking is the same exact thing as when a CPU throttles it's clock speed. One is automatic based on load and the other is manually done. But they both lower the multiplier. Most CPUs don't let you increase the multiplier but most do let you lower it. You can underlock by lowering the base clock instead but that is where you get into possible issues with the rest of the system (RAM, PCI bus, HDD controller).

And clock throttling is not in all CPUs. Pentium 4's didn't have clock throttling in their desktop chips. Core 2's do have Speedstep though (Intel's name for clock throttling). Cool & Quiet was a nice 'new' feature on AMD's desktop CPUs back in 2003/04. That's when that feature started as a feature on the desktop.