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    Is the Thinkvantage power software required to downclock the CPU?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by orangelounge, Jul 24, 2007.

  1. orangelounge

    orangelounge Notebook Consultant

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    Just wondered if the CPU could downclock/power manage itself without the Lenovo power manging utilities being installed. I typically just use the Windows alternative to all software, it minimizes running processes.
     
    orangelounge, Jul 24, 2007
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  2. am6eric9a

    am6eric9a Notebook Geek

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    theres other power management software that you can use like nhc. it throttles down your pc and you can undervolt with it. but your cpu should do it automatically i think when its not under stress
     
    am6eric9a, Jul 25, 2007
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  3. orangelounge

    orangelounge Notebook Consultant

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    That's what I was hoping, thanks. I'm getting about 5 hours out of my X61 with a T7500 and Wifi on, so, I'm guessing that's not too bad.
     
    orangelounge, Jul 25, 2007
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  4. acaurora

    acaurora Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Without the ThinkVantage, it still uses the Enhanced Intel Speedstep TEchnology (EIST), however you can *further* extend your battery's life by using utilities such as RMClock or NotebookHardwareControl(NHC) to even further undervolt your processor. While your CPU naturally undervolts and changes speed these programs as well as the ThinkVantage Power Manager offer better and more precise control.

    .. wow that was a mouthful.
     
    acaurora, Jul 25, 2007
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  5. am6eric9a

    am6eric9a Notebook Geek

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    heh yea that was a mouthful.
    undervolting is a pretty nifty process if done right. though it only saves you 30minutesish of battery life, you'll be running a lot cooler. make sure you dont undervolt too much as it may affect your computers stability.
     
    am6eric9a, Jul 25, 2007
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  6. orangelounge

    orangelounge Notebook Consultant

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    Yea, installing Thinkvantage Power Manager was a good idea. I'm now cranking more like 6-7 hours instead of 5. Thanks!
     
    orangelounge, Jul 25, 2007
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  7. acaurora

    acaurora Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Glad to hear. That is the typical battery life I've seen most people get on the X series.

    My T60 gets only about 4.5-5 hours on my 9 cell... /sigh... stupid 15.4" WSXGA+!!! Why must you use so much power! (I really love my screen honestly, just it uses so much power... /prays on LED Backlit LCDs / SSD for the T62s)
     
    acaurora, Jul 25, 2007
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  8. uw748

    uw748 Notebook Geek

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    Yes, the Power Manager is worth it imo. Plus it also shows detailed information on your battery along with features to calibrate the health of the battery.

    It's also a curse for me because it will show the precise current and wattage draw from running on battery, as I constantly check for a lower power drain. Right now I can get just under 7W with lowest everything and hard drive still spinning and that makes me happy.

    What can I say, I'm a simple person.
     
    uw748, Jul 25, 2007
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  9. thinkfan

    thinkfan Notebook Enthusiast

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    would undervolting it make the cpu make an even louder buzz noise from the piezoelectric phenomenon?
     
    thinkfan, Jul 25, 2007
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  10. unhooked

    unhooked Notebook Deity

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    Have you tried both of those apps?
    Which one would you recommend?
     
    unhooked, Jul 25, 2007
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