CPU TDP and Overclocking

[lifeblood]

I read an article over at Toms where AMD will (supposedly) release a new 8300 PD based CPU that boosts to 4.2GHz but is a 95W TDP chip. This made me wonder what the difference is in a 95W vs. a 125W chip.

Watts = Volts x Amps. Does a 125W CPU use the same voltage but more amps, or the same Amps but more volts, or more of both? If I overclock, the only way to do it is to increase the voltage because I can’t force a circuit to use more amperage than it wants, correct?

So, in general, if I have a 95 Watt CPU, can I overclock it to 125 W and have it operate the same as a 125W CPU (assuming I cool it sufficiently)? Or is it simply not designed for that TDP?

I [FONT=&quot]assume AMD is able to release this CPU because of process improvements at GloFlo which allows the same speed at lower power. Or would this be more likely due to a small redesign of the chip? I doubt the redesign simply because AMD downsized so much I doubt their dedicating any time or engineers to Vishera.[/FONT]

 

[ShintaiDK]

Aint the best overclocking chips, CPU and GPU those with the highest leakage?

You cant just "overclock 30W" and expect it to be the same as a 125W chip.

 

[Solomutt]

I'll put one 'o them turbos on mine. I'll use the exhaust from the case fans to spool it up!!

 

[Idontcare]

I read an article over at Toms where AMD will (supposedly) release a new 8300 PD based CPU that boosts to 4.2GHz but is a 95W TDP chip. This made me wonder what the difference is in a 95W vs. a 125W chip.

Watts = Volts x Amps. Does a 125W CPU use the same voltage but more amps, or the same Amps but more volts, or more of both? If I overclock, the only way to do it is to increase the voltage because I can’t force a circuit to use more amperage than it wants, correct?

So, in general, if I have a 95 Watt CPU, can I overclock it to 125 W and have it operate the same as a 125W CPU (assuming I cool it sufficiently)? Or is it simply not designed for that TDP?

I [FONT=&quot]assume AMD is able to release this CPU because of process improvements at GloFlo which allows the same speed at lower power. Or would this be more likely due to a small redesign of the chip? I doubt the redesign simply because AMD downsized so much I doubt their dedicating any time or engineers to Vishera.[/FONT]

Power consumption is dependent on voltage, temperature, clockspeed, and "utilization factor", also called a "load factor".

AMD will keep the FX-8300 sitting inside its 95W TDP when turbo'ed up to 4.2GHz by ensuring the activity factor ("D" in the equation above) never rises above a threshold value which would drive temperature or current (amps) high enough to cause the Static+Dynamic power usage to rise above the target max value.

When it gets to that point then the chip will "de-turbo" and drop back to 3GHz clocks, or wherever this thing is supposed to end up. Voltage drops at that point, as will operating temperatures, ensuring the then much higher "D" value doesn't drive the CPUpower above the max allowed value.

There is more about this in this thread.