Windows 7: Underclocking cpu

Hey, i've been looking for a way to underclock my cpu for heat reasons but can't find a way how too.



I've tried BIOS but don't think i have the settings in order to do so. I was just wondering if there were any programs I could use ?


Cheers
-Ash

Hi Ash,

We could do with more information on your system. Is it a laptop or a desktop? Are you getting sufficient airflow through the case? Does any exhausted air feel overly warm?

It's a desktop, windows 7 was just installed on it so its pretty fresh, i think airflow might be the problem. I have a fan installed, goes around 2400 rpm. The cpu temp is around 65 degrees in BIOS :S. The processor is an Intel® Pentium® Processor Extreme Edition 840 (2M Cache, 3.20 GHz, 800 MHz FSB) and the comps around 3 years old.

I just underclocked it in BIOS to 2.52 ghz, found out it was labelled as core speed or something like that. Ran processor benchmark in PC Wizard 2010 which made the computer always restart before, but didn't this time. Don't know if its working for sure but seems too

The temp is currently at 71c.

Just wanna ask if i underclocked it too much, or missed out on other settings ?

EDIT: Ran the benchmark again, and it turned off at 88c. Dammit.

cheers =)

If it were mine, the first thing I would do is remove the heatsink, clean it and the cpu, and re-apply the thermal paste. Obviously I don't know your expertise in that area, but are a couple of links that will show the basics:

Benchmark Reviews Resource Center | How to Apply Thermal Paste - FrozenCPU.com &nbsp
Appling Arctic Silver 5 to an Intel CPU

The next thing I would do is get at least one more fan. You mention "a" fan as if that's all you have. I'm a believer in good air flow, and as long as you can stay away from a negative air flow, I like all the fans I can get.

If the tower is sitting on a carpeted floor, you should find something to sit under it. Not only will it keep it cooler, it will keep it less dusty inside.

The heat problem is not going to be resolved by underclocking.

71c at 2.5 wow you have a serious problem here. Something is wrong way wrong.

Can we see pics of the PC?
Are all your fans pointed the right way?
Do you have an intake and exhaust fan?
Was the heat sink installed correctly?
You shouldn’t need to under clock anything you are getting a huge performance robbing and a waste of money.

You should probably explore upgrading your heatsink instead, to maintain having the performance of 3.2GHz.
Corsair and Antec do very good cooling products.

The new Sandy Bridge processors can be underclocked easily.
The multiplier on the i7-2600 can be set from 16 to 42, at least 42 on my motherboard.
It throttles up and down between Speedstep and Hyper-Threading.
It should save on power and heat, considering that the processor is not always running at a fixed speed.

I've changed the heatsink, but now it just restarts even faster. I'm pretty sure i put it in correctly, with the thermo paste i just put a dab in the middle and then attached the heatsink.

I've got a fan for the powersupply, and a fan on the back of the computer. If i added one on the side, would it fix it? All the fans would be around the CPU in that case.

Cheers
-Ash

I agree, you have a problem in your case that is causing massive heat buildup. Your idle temps should be LOAD temps (or close).

~Lordbob

A fan on the side wouldn't hurt, but it seems there's more going wrong than what a fan can cure. You said you changed the heatsink, was that before your original post or have you done it since then? If it's since, are the temps still about the same?

If you would fill out your system specs it would help quite a bit.