Tip: you can reduce the heat your laptop/desktop computer generates by limiting its CPU frequency.
To restrict all cores to 800MHz on Linux, run one of these two commands as root:
cpupower frequency-set -u 800MHz
echo 800000 | tee /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_max_freq
#heatwave #laptop #desktop #computers #downclocking #EnergyEfficiency #Linux #shell
@Changaco what is your opinion on undervolting the CPU instead of limiting frequency?
Personally I feel like limiting frequency does the job but at a higher cost than undervolting, where you can generally refrain from changing the frequency.
@R0gueS4t3llite I've never tried setting voltage offsets. I don't even know if it's possible on my current laptop.
Downclocking is easy and safe (it's normal for a core to run at its minimum frequency). Downvolting is more difficult, and somewhat dangerous (it can damage the hardware).
Even if a CPU is successfully downvolted, it will still consume less power and generate less heat when its clock rate is at its minimum.
@Changaco Thanks for the response! I didn't know that undervolting could potentially damage hardware... wonder how that works. I am also slightly nervous with my slightly undervolted (-10 mV) Ryzen 5 5600 CPU, but haven't noticed any degradation in the three years I've been using it. Usually you see people mention that undervolting can actually increase the lifespan of the CPU due to less heat being generated 🤔. A case of widespread misinformation in the overclocking/underclocking community or does it vary heavily based on CPU model?
This is all about a desktop PC though, and for a laptop, it does seem like underclocking is the more straight-forward way to go! Great tip for those out there looking for some extra battery life and less heat.
Charly Coste 🇫🇷
R0gu3_S4t3ll1t3 📡🌟