Hug a tree, enable SpeedStep
Like many I’m sure, I run my PC for long periods of time, on many occassions it runs 24/7 for particulary long downloads or FTP server access when I’m away. All this time the CPU is buzzing away, doing nothing for the large part, except comsuming power and generating heat.
One thing I was suprised with after my recent PC purchase, was that SpeedStep wasn’t enabled by default. SpeedStep is a technology by Intel that enables their CPUs to run at slower speeds when they aren’t so busy, laptop users may well be familiar with the technology as it’s fairly essential for long battery life. However this doesn’t seem to apply to desktop PCs, or at least it doesn’t in their default configurations as supplied by manufacturers. It should be noted that AMD support a similar technology “cool and quiet” for their CPUs.
The nice thing about SpeedStep is that the CPU changing speeds is transparent, when the power is needed i.e. by a game or other intensive processing task - the CPU automatically ramps up to a higher speed. There is no detectable performance hit whatsoever.
After a little research I found that the following Intel CPUs support SpeedStep,
- Pentium 4 (3Ghz +)
- All Pentium D
- All Core
You can verify your processor supports SpeedStep using the Intel Processor Spec Finder, which allows you to find your CPU and then ‘filter’ on SpeedStep technology.
There are other parts to the equation too, namely your motherboard must also support SpeedStep, as well as your Operating System. Those that are happy to look in their PCs BIOS settings should hunt around for “EIST” or “SpeedStep” (EIST = Enhanced Intel SpeedStep) and make sure it’s enabled. Even if you aren’t happy to delve into your BIOS you can try altering your Windows settings anyway, it may well be it’s already enabled elsewhere.
To enable SpeedStep in your OS, you simply need to change your “Power Scheme” in Control Panel - Power Options. Intel themselves explain this best and have some screenshots to show how you can verify SpeedStep is enabled, available here.
For my Intel Core 2 E6700 CPU, the speed changes from the default 2667Mhz down to 1600Mhz at the slowest speed and also 2133Mhz inbetween, depending on how much power is required. It’s completely unnoticeable in day to day use, but I’m happy in the knowledge my PC is comsuming less power and producing less heat.
