Is Down clocking the cpu automatically bad for longevity?


  1. Posts : 189
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
       #1

    Is Down clocking the cpu automatically bad for longevity?


    my amd has cool and quite and in windows 7 under the power options if its set to the default it will under clock the cpu to 800mhz on idle or a little load 1800mhz or higher load the full 3ghz. although this works good in keeping temp down(on the high performance power setting it would idle at 38c and with the default and cool and quite underclocking 30c) is under clocking then re over clocking and back and forth bad for the longevity of the cpu. does it increase wear??
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,354
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #2

    Nope, it's not like a piece of mechanical machinery that wears out with motion. As long as you don't overclock it, nothing will be harmed by changing the clock speed.
      My Computer


  3. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #3

    Would be interesting to know why you would want to do this. I fail to see the purpose of the operation.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,117
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #4

    2 cents reply: I don't think the OP was stating that they were attempting to downclock the cpu, rather the automatic throttling when the cpu is at idle by way of AMDs Cool'n'Quiet.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 13,354
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #5

    In any case, the answer is that it is harmless, and saves power and heat.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 189
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    whs said:
    Would be interesting to know why you would want to do this. I fail to see the purpose of the operation.
    it saves electricity and reduces the heat by a big chunk. i monitor the frequency with cpu z and when ever i do something like watch a youtube vid or load a decent sized webpage it reclocks higher so it doesnt really effect performance

    mpcrsc562 said:
    2 cents reply: I don't think the OP was stating that they were attempting to downclock the cpu, rather the automatic throttling when the cpu is at idle by way of AMDs Cool'n'Quiet.


    thats wat i said. this process is supported threw windows 7 with cpus with cool and quite. throttling is the same thing as down clocking its reducing the multipler to x4
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #7

    The only thing that you ever have to worry about with a normally clocked, normally volted CPU, that never gets a power surge or a meteorite strike ( :) ) is something called "hole depletion". Running a CPU at maximum speed 24/7 will eventually cause it to fail, or become unreliable, but so will running it at minimum speed 24/7.

    It's basically just electronic fatigue, and it affects almost every piece of electronics. Sooner or later, the thing will just wear out from use. The good thing is, if nothing bad ever happens to the computer, the CPU should wear out long after the whole thing is obsolete.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 189
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Mellon Head said:
    The only thing that you ever have to worry about with a normally clocked, normally volted CPU, that never gets a power surge or a meteorite strike ( :) ) is something called "hole depletion". Running a CPU at maximum speed 24/7 will eventually cause it to fail, or become unreliable, but so will running it at minimum speed 24/7.

    It's basically just electronic fatigue, and it affects almost every piece of electronics. Sooner or later, the thing will just wear out from use. The good thing is, if nothing bad ever happens to the computer, the CPU should wear out long after the whole thing is obsolete.

    yea i know about surges but thats y you use a surge protector and have a psu with overvolt protection but from wat i gather at the end of ur statement is that ur saying the cpu will last long enough b4 the tech is pretty outdated/by the time i do another upgrade
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #9

    On my EVGA motherboard it's called C1E halt state and speed step. Too bad I can't enable them while overclocking this particular CPU or I would use them for sure.

    I even had one CPU that was overclocked to 3.8 GHz and I could still use the step down feature without hurting stablity.

    That feature actually increases the longevity of the CPU and also saves on the power bill. Very useful feature and worth enabling.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #10

    Krispy1 said:
    yea i know about surges but thats y you use a surge protector and have a psu with overvolt protection but from wat i gather at the end of ur statement is that ur saying the cpu will last long enough b4 the tech is pretty outdated/by the time i do another upgrade
    Yeah, what I meant was that you aren't going to hurt the CPU, or shorten the life of it by taking the clock up and down.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:56.
Find Us