Some may thing it strange that I ask this. Is it possible to underclock a processor?I have multiple systems running FS add-on software. Not all need the the full horsepower of the AMD processors. To reduce the heat output from four computers, can the AMD processors be underclocked (ie reduced cpu frequency, cpu voltage, etc.) to reduce their heat output?Thanks,Richard

Rich,As far as "underclocking" your CPU's, anything is possible to a point. As far as reducing your voltage goes two reasons you wouldn't want to/cant do this.Your CPU needs a base voltage to operate correctly. You could unlock the multipliers of your AMD's and or lower the FSB but unless they are overclocked to begin with you will see ZERO difference in temps. Your CPU give off a set amount of heat based on watts used.If you have the cash you could invest in water cooling setups for each system but in all honesty this will more than likely result in even more heat being given off by the radiators due to there greater efficiency.My question is if the systems are not using all the power the CPU's are capable of producing than the temps of the systems will be nowhere near what they would be on even a stock clocked system running at 100% Load. So why would you want to uncerclock them.Seems to me you have several choices. Vent the machines to either another room or the outside. Install a small effecient AC unit or leave them as is and just accept the fact that 4 machines running at once will put out a lot of heat no matter what you do. :(Bobby

I imagine you could at least drop down the FSB frequency in the BIOS. Of course that would slow everything down (CPU, memory, PCI bus) and it would certainly decrease the heat output, even if you didn't change the voltages. I don't know about just slowing down the CPU multiplier, never tried it.Dan

Dan,Although he could lower the FSB, with 4 machines running you would need a digital temp gauge to see the difference if any it would make in his room temp.Everything has a price. Running 4 machines for FS your going to pay in sweat. :)Bobby

>Some may thing it strange that I ask this. Is it possible to>underclock a processor?>>I have multiple systems running FS add-on software. Not all>need the the full horsepower of the AMD processors. To reduce>the heat output from four computers, can the AMD processors be>underclocked (ie reduced cpu frequency, cpu voltage, etc.) to>reduce their heat output?>>Thanks,>>Richard You can do all the above, and is very easy depending on what motherboard you have.Some Motherboard/BIOS combo's allow for everything imaginable and there is no longer any need to "unlock" XPs as these new BIOS allow for it. Most if not all Nforce2 motherboards will even Allow all of these changes to be taken on the fly from the windows desktop via a new Nforce utility (as soon as the beta is finished being tested). :)A majority of MBs will allow you to lower FSB as well as voltage, undervolting works just as you are hoping it will, but only to an extent as Bobby points out, not to worry though, most settings will only allow a safe undervolt anyhow, but just take it one little adjustment at a time so you can hone in on the best stable slower but cooler and quieter setting. :)

Good to know about the new NForce utilities. :). As I build primarily Intel based machines (1 in 6 is an AMD)I wasn't aware of this.That was my point. To a certain extant what he wishes to do can be accomplished. I just feel that it will not make the difference that he is looking for.I don't care how much you lower the voltage or FSB, if you make a 2-3 degree difference I think that it would be a miracle.Hope he works it out though.I have 8 machines running in a folding farm so I kinda feel for him. Although they are in a basement room they still raised the room temps almost 12 degrees :(Bobby

Bobby,>Good to know about the new NForce utilities. :). As I build>primarily Intel based machines (1 in 6 is an AMD)I wasn't>aware of this.This maybe available in a matter of just a few weeks, then again this is NV, so who knows...Same with the new drivers, though we just had a release this week of new Nforce drivers they did not contain the much longed for IDE part. But that is also promised in just a few weeks....>>That was my point. To a certain extant what he wishes to do>can be accomplished. I just feel that it will not make the>difference that he is looking for.>>I don't care how much you lower the voltage or FSB, if you>make a 2-3 degree difference I think that it would be a>miracle.That realy can depend on what he is running right now, but getting up to (or down to) a 10F/4C drop is easily attainable off of a stock XP2500 settup even more so on some of the old T-breds.>Hope he works it out though.>>I have 8 machines running in a folding farm so I kinda feel>for him. Although they are in a basement room they still>raised the room temps almost 12 degrees :(>>BobbyGeeesh Bobby! LOL!You should try and see if you can rig up some kind of thermal energy conversion device and re-sell it back to your local utility Co.! :-lolPoof! :)

Thanks for the ideas and help.I did find this interesting device at Quietpcusa.comhttp://www.quietpcusa.com/rachal2.htmlRichard