cpu voltage

  • Thread starter Thread starter william729
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william729

I'm totally a puter dummy, so bear with me? Or at least don't laugh i
my puter face. :

Q: I see similar cpu's (roughly same fsb, cache, socket size, etc
with different voltages, ie; 1.5, 1.7, whatever. How much of a facto
can this be? Do I have to match voltages to my MOBO? RAM? etc

thank yo
Slick Willi
 
I'm totally a puter dummy, so bear with me? Or at least don't laugh in
my puter face. :)

Q: I see similar cpu's (roughly same fsb, cache, socket size, etc)
with different voltages, ie; 1.5, 1.7, whatever. How much of a factor
can this be?

It matters quite a bit (to some ;-). Generally, the lower the voltage the
better. All things the same, power increases something like the square
of the voltage, so the difference between 1.5V and 1.7V would be about
30%. This is not only the power out of the wall but power your cooling
solution has to dissippate. ...again, all being the same (which it never
is).
Do I have to match voltages to my MOBO? RAM? etc?

No, at least in theory your motherboard will adjust these things
accordingly. Make sure your board will accept the processor family and
speed you intend to put in it.
 
I'm totally a puter dummy, so bear with me? Or at least don't laugh in
my puter face. :)

Q: I see similar cpu's (roughly same fsb, cache, socket size, etc)
with different voltages, ie; 1.5, 1.7, whatever. How much of a factor
can this be? Do I have to match voltages to my MOBO? RAM? etc?

thank you
Slick Willie

It depends... Sometimes it might be a compatibility issue. For
example: some early socket 940 boards can't handle 90nm chips. The
power drawn by 90nm is the same or even slightly lower than 130nm, but
the voltage is lower and the same power at lower voltage results in
higher current. The higher current in some cases is beyond the board
capability to handle it, so... no upgrade above x50 ;-(
Your mileage may vary

NNN
 
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