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I got a for you overclockers. When your overclocking do you run your CPU/GPU at the maximum stable overclock (overvolting etc.) or do you run your computer to what you think is the best performance/energy usage.

For example my 1055T maxes out a 3.75GHz OC. It needs 1.5V to do this. This draws close to 400W under full load. (LinX load)

I also have another BIOS setting where I have my 1055T at 3.57GHz @ 1.3875V. This draws around 275W under full load. (LinX load)

I am curious what your approach is.

If I am using my computer all day I usually use the second BIOS setting and the first if I know I am only going to game for an hour or two.

The speed benefits from that 200MHz overclock are always outweighed by the wasted time that's used when I reboot to go into the BIOS to change to the second setting, so I leave mine at 3.709GHz all the time. It also needs 1.524V to reach that.

Then again, I live in a student dorm and don't pay for power.

Crayon Shin Chan wrote:

Then again, I live in a student dorm and don't pay for power.

Thats how I used to be as well. Then when the power bill hits anywhere you can shave some money helps. I am currently playing around with phenommsrtweaker which allows you to adjust the voltage in its own sort of Cool n quiet way in the different power states of the processor. I am able to run the 1055T @ 1.1125V at 2.805GHz.

Do you fold?

I leave my i5 750 @ 3.8GHz which is ( I think ) a fairly high overclock. The voltage is over 1.4V ( can't remember specifically ) I save energy now by turning the machine off every so often. I used to leave it running 24/7.

When I used to overclock, I'd only go as far as the stock voltage would allow me, which fit me fine. Since getting my Core 2 duo 2.53Ghz, it's been fast enough for my needs and haven't even thought about overclocking since 2008. Wow...I guess I just put a damper on this thread.

Crayon Shin Chan wrote:

Do you fold?

I used to fold all the time while in school. Now I am moving on more with BOINC projects. I just like the fact that I can help different organizations at anytime and I think the point system in F@H is getting a little ridiculous. I go back to it every once in a while.

Sargent Duck wrote:

When I used to overclock, I'd only go as far as the stock voltage would allow me, which fit me fine. Since getting my Core 2 duo 2.53Ghz, it's been fast enough for my needs and haven't even thought about overclocking since 2008. Wow...I guess I just put a damper on this thread.

Not at all. The first time I overclocked thats what I did with my Core 2 duo E6750. Bumped to 3.2 and left it. Worked perfectly, and now have it for a HTPC. If its fast enough for your needs then thats perfect. I guess the old adage "If it ain't broke don't fix it" works here. What about undervolting? Thoughts or tried it?

MaxTheLimit wrote:

I leave my i5 750 @ 3.8GHz which is ( I think ) a fairly high overclock. The voltage is over 1.4V ( can't remember specifically ) I save energy now by turning the machine off every so often. I used to leave it running 24/7.

UGN gives you a .

I don't pay too much attention to power and performance, I pay more attention to reliability and that means temps. I don't have super powerful cooling so there is a thermal and fan noise threshold to which I subjectively say "enough".