Explain cpu thermal throttling

[tiap]

I have a Tyan mb with an award bios and a 2.4 p4. In the bios setup I have options under cpu thermal throttling of 87.5%, 75.0%, 62.5%, 50%, 37.5% 25%, and 12.5%. What does this mean and what setting will give me the best cpu usage. Thanks in advance

 

[BFG10K]

Clock throttling is when the CPU gets to a certain unsafe temperature and underclocks itself to prevent damage and crashing.

You should check your motherboard manual what the percentage values are but I suspect that they refer to the percentage of the default clock speed that the CPU will slow down to if it starts overheating.

 

[Sheriff]

It diminishes the % of effectiveness when the CPU is overheating. I leave mines off and my Rig shuts down when it overheats instead.