processor heat questions

Hello

My google-fu and nbr-fu is failing me.

I would assume that the faster the processor the more heat is generated. But in the case of these three processors:

Intel P8600 45nm 2.40GHz w/3MB L2 On-die cache - 25 watt
Intel P8700 45nm 2.53GHz w/3MB L2 On-die cache - 25 watt
Intel P9600 45nm 2.66GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 25 watt
(currently the three 25w options for the np8660)

they are all 25 watt... is a maximum wattage? How much difference in temperature would there be assuming equal non-idle CPU load?

(I am looking to minimize heat and fan noise in my upcoming laptop purchase)

thanks!

 

25W is the TDP (thermal design power) the actual power used is higher, thats just how much is dissipated as heat. Because they're all the same for all intents they should all put about the same amount of heat out. Hypothetically the P9600 is actually more efficient as it does more work in less time while disipating the same amount of heat. Basically the reason they're all the same is because the faster chips are even more stringently picked for low heat output, so less make the "cut" at that level. I'd say the P9600 will probably get hotter, but because it does more work faster if your loads are not constant it probably wouldnt actually run any hotter in practice.

 

Well in theory, if Intel was perfect and the world was perfect, all three processor would pull exactly 25W at load. But Intel isn't perfect and the world isn't perfect, so while all three processors should draw around 25W at load, the P9600 will be a little warmer than the P8700 and the P8700 will be a little warmer than the P8600.

At idle, though, the three processors should be very, very close to each other with respect to power consumption.

 

Intel isn't perfect, AMD FTW!

 

Thanks for the replies! So it sounds like the slowest processor shouldn't be all that much cooler.

I would likely be better off undervolting (I am new to undervolting, although I've had pretty good luck undervolting a couple of hot running Dells in the recent past)

So are there any differences in the processors in terms of undervolting? One that is 'better' at it? Like the proc in this Dell D430 had pretty limited undervolting options.

 

Every CPU are slightly different so their base voltage varies. Its a matter of luck. Considering the D430 already has an ULV CPU, you'd be pushing your luck trying to get the voltage down.