CPU Idling?

null_set · TweakNOOB Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 151 Location: Jersey

Ok... so here's the deal...
I was browsing MajorGeeks.com, when I came across an app. called "CPU Idle".
I had heard about applications like this before, but never actually tried using it. It actually suspends the CPU's operation when it's idling... it turns it off between clocks when it recieves the HLT instruction, then resumes operation on interrupt.
So after scanning it for malware (It came up negative), I installed it, and opened it.
My processor usage immediately jumped to 100%...
...but my CPU temp (since I've OCed, it went from idling at 34 to idling between 37-41)(man do I need the Volcano on there)...
went back down to 34-35. If I turn on the AC, and get the ambient temps down, it'l idle at 31-32, and under load, I've gotten it up to 49 without the AC, and 44-45 with it on. Those don't sound like bad temps for an OCed 2400 with the stock HSF, do they?
Now, this all seems wonderful, yes?
I haven't noticed any sort of degredation in performance, either, although I do usually turn it off when I'm playing games. I'm not sure whether I fully trust it yet... you know? Something doesn't sit -quite- right.
Has anyone else had any experience with this sort of application? Any input would be appreciated.
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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

You sure it supports the AMD AthlonXP?
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null_set · TweakNOOB Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 151 Location: Jersey

Yes, it said so in the documentation. It said that I might experience some audio crackling with the Via chipset, but I haven't noticed that at all.
When it's enabled, all the temps are definately better. Voltage rails look fine, too.
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null_set · TweakNOOB Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 151 Location: Jersey

I just tried it on my work machine, which is an XP 2600 @ 1.91, w/ the stock HSF and -one- measly case fan.
Idle temps went from 49 to 40.
Load temps went from 59-51.
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Sally · UberTweaker Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1158 Location: WA

I used that on my old K6-2 366....about 5 or 6 years ago....I just thought It looked cool. I don't recall any temperature change....but it's a valid software none-the-less.
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JayDubya · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 6:04 pm Post subject:

Yeah, i've seen utilities like this before. CoolerXP from MSI is a very nice utility that does the same thing. It takes away the amount of work the cpu usually does while idling. They are very nice utilities if you aren't running prime95 or d2ol. They will take away some of the cpu power and thus can degrade performance in these applications.

With that being said, these things are great for getting the temps down when needed. Many games can run this proggy in the background and you won't be able to notice any changes in performance.
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null_set · TweakNOOB Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 151 Location: Jersey

Nice, thanks for the info... I'm gonna keep using it then. Anything to keep temps down.
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Silicon Skum · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 12:24 am Post subject:

Actually it was a good bit of code for older laptops that did'nt have all the power saving feature of modern CPUs, used to save a HELL of a lot of battery time on my old P166 notebook.

Can still improve some laptop battery times even now.

Works great on my passive heatsink cooled server, never gets above room temp even when transfering data across the network. Nice and quiet.

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