cpu power settings

[jangolion]

my switch box for CPU vcore reads from 1.8v up to 3.2v atx board it a atx mobo my question is what is considered a normal setting 2.2v? if so what would happen if you increased the voltage. and does it have anything to do with overclocking?

[Paleo Pete]

Voltage depends on the specific CPU used. Don't even think about changing it if it is set to the factory recommendations for your CPU. Higher voltage can damage the CPU.

I don't think voltage has anything to do with overclocking. To overclock you change the multiplier or bus speed and force the CPU to run faster than it's rated speed.

I highly advise against overclocking, since it invites problems with heat and system stability. The CPU is tested at the factory and sold to run at the speed at which it runs with the best compromise between heat and stability. A 200MHz CPU for instance, might run at 350MHz, but will be hot enough to fry eggs on and Windows will crash constantly, and the CPU will eventually just give up or be damaged by heat. The CPU has millions of tiny components sandwiched between layers of silicone. Those tiny components can easily be damaged by heat, and in extreme cases the circuitry that connects them can actually be melted.

Many CPU's can still be overclocked within reason, but you're taking you chances if you try it...Here are a few links with more info.

Scott's Hardware Site (http://members.tripod.com/~scottshw/overclocking.htm) overclocking info.

Maximum PC (http://www.maximumpc.com/overclocking/) overclocking page

Sysopt (http://sysopt.earthweb.com/overc.html) Overclocking Guide



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[jangolion]

thanks for the reply pete i've never use it in over-clocking i was just wondering why would they have that on the mobo in plain view and not just automatically adjusted. It seems to imply there might be circumstances where i would have to adjust it (switch box)and i wanted to be prepare for any such circumstance..... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Paleo Pete]

All or most motherboards have multiple voltage settings, as well as clock speed and multiplier settings. This is so the board can accomodate different CPU's without having to change motherboards. My board, for instance, has a DIP switch and jumper settings to use 75-200MHz Intel Pentiums, including MMX technology, Cyrix 686 P120-P166 and AMD K5 PR75-PR133.

If the board only supported one CPU speed the manufacturer would have had to design and produce at least a dozen boards, each to support one CPU. Using jumper settings to enable different voltages and CPU speeds made things easier on the manufacturers, and the consumer as well, provided your board was not maxed out in the first place. Upgrading was half as expensive until you reached the maximum capabilities of the board.

Does that answer your question a bit better? Sorry about the previous lecture, your original post sounded like you had an interest in overclocking it, and I always post a reply similar to that one, since I feel that people should know the risks.


------------------
If you had everything...Where would you put it?

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[jangolion]

thanks alot pete for you quick response and much needed insight... i will know what to do with it if the situation arise.... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif