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View Full Version : Core (2) Duo's, you can greatly reduce the temps by lowering CPU voltage!


jivetrky
12-19-06, 10:16 PM
Just thought I'd point this out for anyone that hasn't thought of this, or didn't know it was possible.

I have an E1705 with a T2400 Core Duo (Yonah) 1.83Ghz CPU. As this thing goes along, it seems that perhaps dust or something has made the temps rise a bit. Before last night I was idling in mid-high 40's (Celcuis) and saw loads as high as 70's! I thought that was a bit much. So with the aide of Notebook Hardware Control (http://www.pbus-167.com/), I lowered the voltage of the CPU from the stock 1.2625v @ 1.83Ghz, to 0.9750v @ 1.83Ghz. The lowest option is 0.95v, but I couldn't run at that voltage.

So as soon as that program loads on startup, my voltage is dropped and the temps are SIGNIFICANTLY reduced. I idle at 35c and load at 56c. The fan never goes above low, so it remains quiet.
When you try it, the NHC program will run a quick test for stability before setting the voltage. I'd recommend running Orthos Prime (http://sp2004.fre3.com/beta/beta2.htm) for a while to make sure it's totally stable

I also use I8kfanGUI (Dell Inspiron/Latitude/Precision fan control utility) (http://www.diefer.de/i8kfan/index.html) to control the fan speeds. (So I can keep the GPU temps from getting out of control) You can set custom temp settings which will enable either or both system fans. And you can set them to Off, Low, or High based on temps determined by you.
It'll monitor temps of CPU, GPU, Memory, Chipset, and Harddrive(s)


Another great use of this is to run your CPU at full speed while on battery, but consume a lot less juice. My notebook cuts the CPU speed in half when I unplug it. But with NHC, I can now run it at full speed but not use much more power doing so.
You can also create seperate power profiles depending on whether you are plugged in or on battery. So you could have it step the clocks down on battery if you chose to.

So I just wanted to point out this great way to lower temps. I'd imagine it'll work for most any Core Duo/Core2 Duo CPU's ....and perhaps others as well.

http://img466.imageshack.us/img466/9138/clip1dz1.th.jpg (http://img466.imageshack.us/my.php?image=clip1dz1.jpg)

jivetrky
12-19-06, 10:28 PM
Oh and BTW, swapping the stock Thermal Interface material for AS5 or similar will also probably drop the temps, but I haven't yet done that as I think I'm going to have to have the laptop repaired (getting a lot of memory parity BSOD's)

Seven
12-19-06, 11:15 PM
Yeah many of the chips can run on much lower voltage than they actually do run on.

Also, more applicably, increasing the amount of cold air your laptop sucks in (don't run it on your bed/couch/whatever) will really help temps.

Replacing TIM just voids your warranty, although some of the stock solutions *suck*.

7

jivetrky
12-19-06, 11:23 PM
Replacing TIM just voids your warranty, although some of the stock solutions *suck*.

7


Yeah, that's why I haven't done it yet. I've had that darned Memory Parity BSOD pretty much since I got the thing. I opened the RAM cover and i see that there are 2 completely different sticks of RAM in there. Different brands and everything.:confused: But I had planned up upgrading to 2x1GB ASAP, but money hasn't allowed. So I think I might just send it in to have it fixed and then if it comes back and works fine for a week, I'll swap the TIM.

My GPU temps really get out of hand (I decided to lower my overclock because I saw them hit 94c!)
I've considered one of those laptop cooler things too....but will have to wait for a lil bit on that one till the ole pocketbook catches up with me :)

realtadiquantu
12-20-06, 12:05 AM
I have an E1705 (listed below)
and I swapped the Yonah 2ghz for a T7200 (2GHZ Merom)

Temps are a little lower due to the CPU switch.

I also put AC5 on the sucker, and the GPU.

Lowered temps by 5-6 C

When I am at college, my laptop sits on my desk most of the time and I use This cooler (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834999336)

My fans rarely run now too.
I also use NHC and i8kfangui to undervolt and have the fans run when CPU reaches 37*C and GPU reaches 55*C.


Everything works great!

ozzlo
12-20-06, 06:29 AM
I'm really happy that you can still undervolt with the newer chips.

voltage control + overclocking + fan control = WIN

DavidJa
12-20-06, 02:45 PM
yea im amazed i got 2 e1505's down to 0.975 and 0.9625 @ 1.83Ghz
is there some way to lower the default lowest voltage though?

ozzlo
12-20-06, 09:21 PM
ummm... well you see... for the same reason that there's no fsb mod for the core2 duos there isn't a way to make the stock voltages lower.... HOWEVER there still exists a way to make the stock voltages HIGHER using the Same concepts presented in my Pentium-m guide (in my sig or at the top of the laptop forum).
All you need is some specific information from the whitepapers from intel. Last time I looked voltages all the way down to something like .125v is possible but they are locked beyond a certian level.

I wish I had a Core Duo for which to tweak with.

realtadiquantu
12-20-06, 10:31 PM
Overclocking on the desktop right...
I haven't seen anything to oc a C2D in a dell.

jivetrky
12-21-06, 01:01 AM
Overclocking on the desktop right...
I haven't seen anything to oc a C2D in a dell.



I'm not sure about Dell desktops, but their XPS laptops come with a T7600G CPU, which has unlocked multi's ....so you can OC that.

ozzlo
12-23-06, 03:49 AM
WHAT :eek:

Being the skeptical kind of being I am... I seek proof of this!

not that I don't beleive you.... I just want to see with my own eyes :D Cause I'm looking into getting an xps 1210.

are you sure they aren't unlocked downward? cause all mobile chips since the bianas have been unlocked downwards to 6x

this would be very good news to my ears :D

jivetrky
12-23-06, 05:30 AM
:) :thup: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/12/14/dell_offers_overclockable_core_2-duo/ :thup: :)



EDIT: BTW, Bal`thzar is selling a laptop with this chip. He also has one that he uses, his sig says he has it clocked at 3.16Ghz :) http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=482613&highlight=t7600g

ozzlo
12-28-06, 08:01 PM
Music to my ears... errr.... eyes...



whatever...

realtadiquantu
12-31-06, 10:02 PM
Music to my ears... errr.... eyes...



whatever...

I'd wait for a DX10 gfx card in the laptop..... By then the newer Core 2 Duo chips will be out. I forgot the revisions, but they seemed nice!

BossBorot
01-01-07, 02:13 AM
^

also the 45nm intel respin will eventually happen around Q3 2007. That should be very nice for laptops when it eventually comes out.