Software for autoclocking (down) when idle (AMD athlon XP barton)

**Dino_Martino** · June 6th, 2011, 02:27 PM

Hi!

I've searched a lot and just can't find what I need.
My computer is either used intensively (demanding applications, gaming,...), or completely idleing. (it's also the LAN server, so turning it on or standby isn't an option.)
I have currently overclocked it to 200x11.
My question is: is there any good software available that can AUTOMATICALY downclock my processor (to reserve power, keep the heat down, and increase lifetime), when the system is idle? (eg. whenever the screensaver comes on, or the CPU load keeps under 5% for 5 minutes, etc...)

Any software that will decrease the speed when idleing, and automatically increase it again when under load, is greatly appreciated.

I've used rain, waterfall, rightmark CPU clock utility, CPUidle, none of them work.)
specs:
CPU: AMD athlon XP 2500+ barton (A2) @ 200x11
MB: ASrock K7S41GX
OS: winXP pro SP3
RAM: 1.5GB PC3200
Chipset: SiS 741GX

Thank you.

**Dino_Martino** · June 7th, 2011, 09:56 AM

Doesn't this exist?

**GroundZero3** · June 7th, 2011, 10:05 AM

If the motherboard manufacture doesn't have an application/utility I doubt you will find anything that will do what you want to do. That is a lot of interaction between the motherboard, the os, and some kind of third party application to downclock the cpu that you have manually forced to run faster than the speed it was sold for.

**RobRich** · June 7th, 2011, 10:06 AM

RMClock was the right idea, but you have the wrong Athlon XP. You have a desktop Athlon XP Barton processor, which as far as I remember, does not have dynamic power management support via MSR registers. You would instead need an Athlon XP-M mobile or perhaps low-power model for Socket A - either way, the processor needs to have AMD PowerNow! support.

**Dino_Martino** · June 7th, 2011, 10:16 AM

Ok thanks. I figured that since there are many apps that can chenge the FSB from within windows, there must be something that can do it automatically...
Thanks anyway.

**Dino_Martino** · June 7th, 2011, 10:17 AM

Anything that works like rain or waterfall, by sending out HLT commands, but for winXP?

**Dino_Martino** · June 7th, 2011, 10:28 AM

found a modded bios... cool!bios
are these things reliable?

**RobRich** · June 7th, 2011, 10:32 AM

The WinNT kernel offers HALT (C1) state support, so HALT state operation is already being done at idle for your system.

If truly interested, you best bet with your current processor is make the change manually depending upon your desired task. An utility like ClockGen or similar would be a good place to start.

With all that said, I would suggest spending the effort on making sure you have good airflow and ventilation in the case, then forget about the issue as long as your processor is holding decent temps under load. The power savings are going to be rather trivial for a desktop role, and as for longevity of the processor, inexpensive used socket A processors should be readily available if needed.

**Dino_Martino** · June 7th, 2011, 12:19 PM

Yes I knew that already...
But I just dont want to have to change the FSB myself all the time.
Is there really no program that can do this automatically? It has got to be possible, right?
thank you.

**RobRich** · June 7th, 2011, 01:56 PM

It could be done automatically on a "per app" basis, but I know of no utility for your specific situation, as you are seeking to manage via FSB control.

Assuming your motherboard is supported by the app, you might try contacting the author of SetFSB, SysTool, or similar to suggest the introduction of such a feature.

For comparison, a commercial process management utility I use can change Windows power states based upon currently loaded processes. The problem is the utility relies upon changing Windows-managed power states, which would not help in the case of your specific processor.

**Dino_Martino** · June 7th, 2011, 02:02 PM

And isn't there a workaround to link the clocking to the screensaver?
eg. Is there a process that is only running or active when the screensaver is on? because if I could make it downclock when the screensaver is on, that whould be perfect infact.
i repeat: I don't want to change frequency when using certain high demanding apps, I want to change the frequency (or cool the CPU otherwise) when I'm not using or using my computer. Whenever I use it, I ALLWAYS want it to be clocked high, nomather what I'm doing.

**RobRich** · June 7th, 2011, 04:47 PM

Here is another thought. Instead of just a screensaver, opt to suspend - well, "standby" in Windows terms - the system after an set period of inactivity. It should only take a few seconds to recover the system from standby. The settings for standby should be in the power management options under the control panel.

It would preferable if you can get the system into S3 (suspend-to-ram) standby mode, but even basic S1 standby mode should significantly drop the wattage load. Either mode would offer distinct power savings benefits compared to simply decreasing the FSB to downclock the processor.

**Dino_Martino** · June 8th, 2011, 01:58 AM

I'll try that soon.
But saving power isn't the primary concern. I don't want to load my system with the strain and heat from this overclock when I'm not even using it.
But I'll look into it and give it a try.
Otherwise, what are the best per-application clocking tools for my system? Something that is solid, reliable, doesn't slow everything down, and needs a minimum of attention once configured?
Thank you.