Do cooling programs really work?

[xCarne_Asada]

I downloaded CPUidle or something of the sort and it made my cpu temps drop 5 degress, Thats good on my part so now i am running a 1.4ghz @ 45*C

[Thelemac]

That only works when you idle your CPU...and I've heard that it hinders you when you actually want to do work.

[lennytiger]

don't use software cooling it don't work its crap, it looks good but you play a 3d game or something your frame rates will drop and you'll know it!!!!!

[.. AE 86 ..]

so that means that the cpu cool programs are just making the cpu cooler by making it slower

[RedDeathDrinker]

Almost....They work by "shutting down" parts of the CPU that aren't being used when it's idling. So it uses less power, generates less heat and therefore runs cooler!

[lennytiger]

In one thread I put a load of technical info on how the program gives the CPU the HALT command, and how it recovers from the HALT state I can't do that all right now but if you want to know just ask me!!