Underclocking a Duron

refriedbean · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2003 9:22 am Post subject: Underclocking a Duron

Well, summer is finally here.

I have a 1Ghz duron in my desktop, on a KT266a chipset. During the winter, it ran at about 45C, and under heavy load, maxed out at 49C. However, now that the summer is here, it runs at 51C under normal load, and goes to 54C at higher loads. Unfortunately a lot of apps that used to be very stable in the winter are now starting to segfault.

Now, before you tell me to get anoter case fan, I already have one, and my case has only place for one. Appart from that all the power connectors in my case is used up.

So, now I'm want to know if its possible to underclock my CPU, by say 100 or 200Mhz? I've heard about 'CPUFreq', but I can't find a lot of info on it.

TIA!
Refried

moritz_aut · n00b Joined: 30 May 2003 Posts: 6

underclocking or overclocking is ususally done by changing the multiplier or the fsb ... you have only to change these settings in your bios (multiplier changes only work if your cpu is unlocked)

refriedbean · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2003 9:55 am Post subject:

Thanks for the quick response!

I think I might consider just opening the case for the summer or something

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[C<-->4] · n00b Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Posts: 9

I would recommend opening the case...
Another option would be: Buy a better cooler.
Question: Are you sure your instability problems are due to processor heat, because 50° C is not too unusual for a Duron/Athlon (in summer)

refriedbean · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2003 2:07 pm Post subject:

Yes, I am pretty sure.

I started using gentoo/kde just when it got cold over here. I never had a single segfault of any kde app. Its just this week its starting to get really hot, now random apps segfault every now and then.

Appart from the season change, everything is the same. (the fan's rpm didnt change a bit from last year (5500rpm, default AMD cooler).

Thanks again!
Refried
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[C<-->4] · n00b Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Posts: 9

xming · Guru Joined: 02 Jul 2002 Posts: 441

I would suggest under voltage the cpu first till the point when it is still stable and see if your temp decreases too

xming

[C<-->4] · n00b Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Posts: 9

idl · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:34 pm Post subject:

The best thing to do is to buy a new heatsink and fan. Make sure you get a good one, read reviews etc. If you can't afford one, then the next best thing would be to open up the case, give it a clean make sure your IDE cables are not restricting air flow and drop down the FSB (Front Side Bus) untill your happy with the temps.
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xming · Guru Joined: 02 Jul 2002 Posts: 441

Ziraku · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2003 5:35 pm Post subject:

You may also want to give a little cleaning.

I lowered my temp by about 5 degrees C just by cleaning the dust outta my heatsink. Compressed air is my friend

Extra case fans can't hurt neither...though it's sometimes nice to get some quiet ones...and having case fans means it's better to keep the cover on to get optimal airflow.
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upnix · n00b Joined: 02 Jan 2003 Posts: 63 Location: Canada

refriedbean · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2003 1:08 am Post subject:

Wow, many responses!

There is a lot of good ideas in there

I think I'll try the simplist one first (ie. opening the case). If that still doesnt help, I'll probably just get better casefans.

I do not feel terribly comfortable messing with my CPU settings in the bios, so I'll leave that as a last resort.

Thanks again!
Refried

PS, my fridge is too small

_________________
"Ninety percent of most magic merely consists of knowing one extra fact" --Terry Pratchett