Guide: Undervolting Your Pentium 4 Series Processor
There is a process called, "Undervolting," which basically means you make the processor run at a lower voltage, than it's supposed to run at. People do this, because it benifits in many ways, such as...
Undervolting A Brand-New Processor...
There are also, a few con's though...like;
Con's
The program you need to test stability, is called "Prime 95." What Prime 95 does is put your system under intensive load, to test stability.
To use Prime 95, install it and run it. Here is the link. The file is quite small, for us dial-uck users, too.
Prime 95: Click Here To Download
Undervolting
Using the BIOS.
Restart your computer, and when you see the logo or the BIOS "POST'ing," press the Delete Key, (Most Commonly Used, Review Your Manual For Specific Options If The Delete Key Does Not Work).
When you enter the BIOS, navigate down to the "Frequency and Voltage Control" button and enter into it. Then look for CPU Voltage, and lower it down a bit, but not too much. Say if your stock voltage is 1.525v, go to 1.4v. Don't worry, this CANNOT damage your system in any way.
Once you enter windows, follow the next steps.
Testing Your Undervolt
To Use Prime95, the Proper Way.
Once you have installed Prime95, start it, and press "Options>Torture Test..."
Then,
Run the "In-place large FFTs (maximum heat, maximum power consumption, some RAM tested) test, and press "OK."
The test will begin, and look like, this...
If the test fails, it will stop testing and tell you.
You can minimize Prime95 to the tray, by pressing the minimize button (Up by the X button, etc.)
It will look like this...
If the test error'ed out, the icon will no longer be "Red," as red means its testing.
Once it is running, at the voltage you selected, test it. If it is stable and does not show any errors for say, 3 hours of testing, you can go back into the BIOS and lower it more if you want. Then start testing again. If your computer restarts by itself or Locks up, at any time during undervolting, that means you need to raise the voltage. Once you find a sweet spot, stay there, and reep the benefits of this. Have Fun, and enjoy tweaking!
I'll see everyone around,
-Nick :wavey:
*Testing, as in Testing for the lowest possible stable voltage.
There is a process called, "Undervolting," which basically means you make the processor run at a lower voltage, than it's supposed to run at. People do this, because it benifits in many ways, such as...
Undervolting A Brand-New Processor...
- Helps the core deal with voltage fluctuations better, in the future.
- Runs cooler, and more efficient.
- Uses less power.
- Can aid in system noise reduction.
- Add's to the longevity of motherboard, CPU, fan's, and PSU.
- Runs cooler, and more efficient.
- Uses less power.
- Can aid in system noise reduction.
- Add's to the longevity of the motherboard, CPU, fan's, and PSU.
There are also, a few con's though...like;
Con's
- System Instability During Testing*
The program you need to test stability, is called "Prime 95." What Prime 95 does is put your system under intensive load, to test stability.
To use Prime 95, install it and run it. Here is the link. The file is quite small, for us dial-uck users, too.
Prime 95: Click Here To Download
Undervolting
Using the BIOS.
Restart your computer, and when you see the logo or the BIOS "POST'ing," press the Delete Key, (Most Commonly Used, Review Your Manual For Specific Options If The Delete Key Does Not Work).
When you enter the BIOS, navigate down to the "Frequency and Voltage Control" button and enter into it. Then look for CPU Voltage, and lower it down a bit, but not too much. Say if your stock voltage is 1.525v, go to 1.4v. Don't worry, this CANNOT damage your system in any way.
Once you enter windows, follow the next steps.
Testing Your Undervolt
To Use Prime95, the Proper Way.
Once you have installed Prime95, start it, and press "Options>Torture Test..."
Then,
Run the "In-place large FFTs (maximum heat, maximum power consumption, some RAM tested) test, and press "OK."
The test will begin, and look like, this...
If the test fails, it will stop testing and tell you.
You can minimize Prime95 to the tray, by pressing the minimize button (Up by the X button, etc.)
It will look like this...
If the test error'ed out, the icon will no longer be "Red," as red means its testing.
Once it is running, at the voltage you selected, test it. If it is stable and does not show any errors for say, 3 hours of testing, you can go back into the BIOS and lower it more if you want. Then start testing again. If your computer restarts by itself or Locks up, at any time during undervolting, that means you need to raise the voltage. Once you find a sweet spot, stay there, and reep the benefits of this. Have Fun, and enjoy tweaking!
I'll see everyone around,
-Nick :wavey:
*Testing, as in Testing for the lowest possible stable voltage.
Darn! Limited options in bios! No options at all for changing voltage or frequencies or anything. Not much to do in there except bootup options, date/time, s.m.a.r.t hard disk mon tool, passwords, just very basic stuff. Damn was looking to forwards to undervolting the sucker to make it run cooler=less fan noise.
