Undervolting is a process that is just like it sounds. You reduce the voltage to your CPU, which reduces the heat output and improves the performance of your system.
Technically, undervolting is reducing the pressure with which electrons or electricity is traveling to the processor.
As the voltage is reduced, the extra electric current that was being converted to heat waste will be significantly reduced, which will reduce the overall heat generated by the system and hence resolve your overheating issue.
As the system becomes cooler, it will naturally perform better and faster, providing you with higher performance and processing speeds.
In this guide, we will be discussing the technical aspects of undervolting, how it can benefit your system, how to undervolt a laptop to increase performance, and what are the risks involved with the process. Let’s get right to it.
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Contents
Understanding Undervolting Process
As I have briefly mentioned above, it is the process of reducing the voltage to the processor. It should not be confused with overvolting which is used for overclocking the processor.
Naturally, one would think that reducing the electric current to the processor of a laptop should decrease the performance. But that doesn’t happen in the case of laptops. Laptops come with low-power CPUs that do not consume all the voltage they are run on.
Hence, a significant amount of voltage supplied to a laptop’s processor turns into heat waste, which increases the overheating issue in your laptop. So, as soon as your laptop starts up, it will generate extra heat and loud fan noise.
When you undervolt your CPU, the pressure and excessive heat from the CPU will be significantly reduced, as the appropriate amount of electricity will be delivered to the CPU only and it will enhance the overall performance.
As the heat is reduced, the CPU will be able to perform in a cooler environment. This will prevent thermal throttling and significantly enhance the processing speed of your system.
Another benefit of undervolting is that your laptop has enhanced battery life. Since less electricity will be consumed by your laptop, the battery life will increase without any compromise on the performance of your system.
How To Undervolt A Laptop? – Most Efficient Methods
There are multiple ways to undervolt a laptop’s CPU. For Intel-based processors, you can use the THROTTLESTOP application and for AMD-based CPUs, you can use Ryzen Controller.
The Ryzen Controller is not directly a voltage limiter but rather allows you to decrease the temperature of the CPU, which in turn causes an undervolt.
If these two applications are not working for some reason, then you can use the Universal x86 Tuning Utility tool which works for both Intel and AMD-based processors.
The process is pretty much the same for all of these applications. Let’s discuss the process in detailed steps.
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Step 1: Download & Install
First of all, you will have to download and install the application. You can download Throttle Stop for Tech Power Up directly, unzip, and install it.
Once you have installed the application, which is a very easy process, you can launch the application directly.
Upon launching, you will be given a warning that this application can customize voltage and other aspects of your system, which can cause harm. Once you click on OK, the application’s home screen will open.
Step 2: Go To FIVR Settings
On the home screen, you will be able to see a lot of settings. Since we are discussing undervolting only, you need to go to FIVR.
You can see the button right in the bottom middle, beside TPL, below limits, and above the TS Bench button.
FIVR stands for Fully Integrated Voltage Regulator. It is mainly responsible for controlling the voltage of Intel CPUs. So, from these settings, you will be able to alter and adjust the voltage.
Step 3: Adjust Voltage Settings
Before you dive into the voltage alterations, you need to adjust some settings. To ensure that you don’t lose the settings and they are saved immediately, you must check the box in the bottom right corner that says “OK – Save voltages immediately”.
After that, you need to toggle the CPU core in FIVR Control and then check the box behind Unlock Adjustable Voltage.
To undervolt your CPU, you need to only change the offset voltage in adaptive mode and not mess with the static settings or primary voltage of the CPU.
Step 4: Run Trial and Error
The specific offset value for undervolting varies greatly for each system. One CPU might undervolt at -200 while the other might only go as low as 50.
So, you need to run trial and error and test which voltage works best for your laptop.
To do that, you have to adjust the offset value and then click on OK. If your application crashes, it means the voltage is not stable, if it doesn’t then the voltage is stable.
Keep on running until you find the perfect sweet spot, the lowest offset, where the voltage is not crashing the application.
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Step 5: Find Undervolt Offset for CPU Cache
Once you have found the accurate value for CPU Core settings, you will have to undervolt the CPU cache as well.
The process is similar. You will have to reduce the offset periodically to check which voltage works best and doesn’t cause the system to crash.
So, go through all the steps as we have mentioned above, but instead of the CPU core, select CPU cache and then run the same tests until you find the lowest voltage that doesn’t cause the system to crash.
Step 6: Run TS Benchmark
The TS Benchmark is integrated into the application which will allow you to run tests on the adjustments and see whether your laptop will crash.
Running tests on TS Bench ensures that you are not interrupted while working once you have undervolted your CPU.
Once you launch the TS Bench, you will get a separate side window, and then you can run tests to see where your system becomes stable.
After you have found the right settings, you can click on Apply and Okay and that will undervolt your CPU just like you wanted.
Is Undervolting Dangerous and Can It Harm My Laptop?
Undervolting is completely safe and doesn’t cause any harm to your laptop. However, there are certain risks that are attached to human error.
If you make mistakes while undervolting and set the offset value too low, your system will turn off or most likely crash.
It will be similar to running out of battery. So, when you turn on the system again, the settings will reset and you can undervolt again.
However, if you set the value too high for voltage, it will cause overvolt and that can damage the system significantly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to Undervolt your CPU?
Undervolting is safe as there is no risk of damage to your CPU. Overvolting can cause damage but the risks of undervolting are pretty low. At most, your system will turn off if you undervolt too much and settings will be reset to default when you turn it on.
Will undervolting my laptop make it cooler, faster, and stronger?
Yes, if you are able to undervolt your laptop correctly, you will make it significantly cooler, faster, and stronger. Undervolting will reduce the excessive heat waste from the system which will significantly boost the overall performance of the system.
Does Undervolting extend CPU life?
Undervolting can increase the life of your CPU, as it allows the CPU to only get the voltage it needs. Hence, your CPU won’t get overheated and won’t have to exert extra pressure on its own. Hence, you will have a significant increase in CPU life.
How much Undervolting is safe for my laptop?
The exact value varies from one laptop to the next. Each CPU might come with its own exact value for undervolting offset, which depends on the condition of the CPU as well as its model. I would recommend running trial and error to find the exact value for yours.
Wrapping Up!
Summing it all up, Undervolting a laptop is a technical process that requires plenty of tweaking. Hence, there will be a learning curve and you won’t be able to do it instantly.
The exact offset value for undervolting a laptop differs for each model and CPU. Hence, you will have to run trial and error to find the exact value for your laptop.
The above guide teaches you exactly how you can undervolt a laptop to increase performance. With it, you can perfectly undervolt your laptop.
Good Luck!