Voltage for everyday use (not quite 24/7, but close enough)

[ttfrog]

I'm wondering up to what voltage would be "safe" for everyday use (with the temps not being an issue here), for a p4 2.4C. Is 1.6v safe to have run 24/7, and approximately how much shorter does hte lifespan of your cpu get reduced by running it at these voltages. (approximate...). Any answer = a good answer i figure... Thanks in advance

[zabomb4163]

at what temperature?

@40C......i'd say >2years

[ttfrog]

30 c idle 40-42 c load...

[zabomb4163]

yes, that voltage will be safe for everyday use. you only have to worry about voltage killing chips when you get above 1.65

[climbski]

Anything under 1.7V should be fine..

[Lancelot]

Running my rig (see signature) at 1.6V 24/7 with two SETI WU's running all the time (1 WU when I'm gaming) for months now since July/August. No probs whatsoever. CPU temp is around 40-42C with a 120mm and 80mm intake and 2x80mm and 120mm PSU outtake fans, all at 7Volts.

[notoriou$haft]

why is your vcore so high everyone?

i run mine at 1.52 24/7, and dont get over 40C load.

[climbski]

For me ... because I run my CPU at 3.6ghz 24/7...not 3.1ghz. Although I'm only running at 1.575V measured in Bios. 1.65 setting.

[Heatsinkguy]

A cpu is designed to last over 10 years atleast. Even with high volatges it will last atleast 5 years. Electro Migration is very slow and will take years and years.
Now if you were to go like 1.9 volts and above, the resistance between the transitors on the die will increase and there for decreasing the life of your cpu rapidly

[TC]

Stay below 1.65 and you're not likely to reduce the lifespan by much if any at all. Above 1.7 you're likely to experience a problem within 6 months to a year. I killed three northwoods running between 1.7 and 1.8 volts. Two were water cooled and the third was on air. The latest chips don't see to benefit from anything above 1.6-1.65 so why push it?

[hawtrawkr]

i got a gimpy 2.8 that takes 1.75 to run stable at 250 fsb i only need it to last me for a couple months would it feasably be able to take me till end of january or so at that vcore? im really wanting to run it at 250 1:1 so i can at least squeeze out the rated speed on my ram

[Heatsinkguy]

Ya till will be enuff to run at the end of january....But remember S.N.D.S can strike without warning

[marscay]

1.75 is too much on air - don't be surprised to see your chip behave 'funny' without notice.

I don't even push my 3.0c past 1.7actual @ 24/7 in my mach-ii as i have seen what volts can do to these northwoods firsthand.

i run mine with default volts @ 3850 for 24/7 use and just upp the voltage if i have a gaming session and want 4ghz ...but seriously the benefits of that extra 150mhz just aren't worth torching the processor.

[Optic]

sigh, my 2.6c only runs 3.2ghz @ 1.65Vcore...
dam

[Albuquerque]

Intel specifically says that +/- 10% is the "allowable" operating limit. 10% additional voltage on a stock 1.5v processor equals 1.65v, so that is the factual upper limit for 24/7 running.

I pick my 24/7 voltage based on speed -- bus speed, memory speed, overall clock speed, and the voltage needed to keep it all sane.

I *could* run my processor faster, but that means I need to either run my ram in 1:1 mode (which would be god-awful slow) and of course means I'll have to feed it more voltage. 3.2ghz on my rig is the best combination of CPU overclock, memory speed and total voltage needed to get it all there.

1.60v at 3.2ghz doesn't generate a lot of heat either...