I almost put this under the broadcast equipment category because a computer is usually a major part of the gear used for broadcasting..
Anyway, I found this very interesting. I've heard about, and have even overclocked computer processors before in the past, but never even considered underclocking them.. but here's something I never heard of: "undervolting" a computer, which according to this article can actually prove beneficial and save energy at the same time..
Undervolting my hardware unlocks more performance, not less
https://www.xda-developers.com/undervolting-my-hardware-unlocks-more-performance-not-less /
... "undervolting" .. obviously get less voltage and less heat, and you might think you get less performance, but the truth is almost the opposite. . .. This isn’t the same as underclocking. Underclocking lowers your performance ceiling; undervolting just improves how efficiently you reach it... The part that may surprise most people, is that undervolting can increase real-world performance in a very tangible way, .. Not every piece of hardware reacts the same way. ... AMD’s X3D chips already run on the razor’s edge of efficiency, thanks to their relatively low power limits and smart boosting behavior .. Undervolting is definitely worth a try. Every chip is different. Some silicon samples are golden and tolerate huge undervolts, while others barely move before crashing. .. . The potential payoff makes it worth experimenting with, ...
See the full article: https://www.xda-developers.com/undervolting-my-hardware-unlocks-more-performance-not-less/
Can't access article as I have adblocker and no way I am disabling it.
But an interesting concept. I guess all things have a voltage range of operation so yeah operating at a lower voltage is maybe easier on the electronics as long as it works properly still.
Underclocking? Overclocking? never heard of it.
I never heard of it either, but apparently based on the comments to the article it's old news.
Minus the illustrations...
Undervolting my hardware unlocks more performance, not less
By Ty Sherback
5 days ago
The word "undervolting" might infer some sort of compromise to some users, but with modern hardware, it's actually anything but. You obviously get less voltage and less heat, and you might think you get less performance, but the truth is almost the opposite. For modern CPUs and GPUs, dialing in a smart undervolt can actually make your system faster, quieter, and more consistent under load.
What undervolting actually does
Most chips don't need as much voltage
Undervolting is the act of lowering the voltage that a processor or graphics card uses to maintain a given clock speed. Every chip ships with a conservative factory voltage curve that guarantees stability across all units, and that includes even the worst silicon samples that rolled off the line. That means most chips are running at much higher voltages than they otherwise would need to by default, wasting power and generating unnecessary heat.
Reducing that voltage doesn’t change your target clock speed or performance level; it simply makes your hardware more efficient. Less voltage equals less power draw, which in turn equals lower temperatures and quieter operation. On the GPU side, you typically do this with a curve editor in software like MSI Afterburner or Radeon Software. On CPUs, tools like AMD’s Curve Optimizer or Intel XTU let you tweak per-core voltage offsets in small steps.
This isn’t the same as underclocking. Underclocking lowers your performance ceiling; undervolting just improves how efficiently you reach it.
Why undervolting unlocks more performance
The same clocks at lower voltages gives performance headroom
The part that may surprise most people, is that undervolting can increase real-world performance in a very tangible way, especially in sustained workloads. The reasoning is simple: lower voltage means less heat, and less heat means your CPU or GPU won't have to throttle itself to stay within power or temperature limits. Not only does this mean lower temperatures and less noise, but also boost clocks can go higher for longer, which means higher and more consistent framerates in theory.
Can't access article as I have adblocker and no way I am disabling it.
Why would an add blocker eliminate the entire article from view?
Speaking of undervolting (maybe I should have put this under the broadcast equipment category after all) ..
I noticed on the Rangemaster installation guide actually seems to specify 12v power despite the fact that a 16v wall wart comes supplied with the transmitter. https://www.am1000rangemaster.com/am1000manualbw7_09.pdf
"Keep in mind the cabling needs, a cable needs to run to the power and audio source. See included diagram for cabling example. #24 (2) pair shielded cable can used for runs of 50 feet or less, #22 for up to 100 feet. Use one pair for + and – 12 volt and the other pair for the 600 ohm balanced audio."
At https://www.toddjenkins.com/radio17 / a very old review about the Rangemaster which you've probably seen before, is a mention of how he powered his:
"Some folks are afraid of wall-warts (those square AC adapters that plug into the wall). I am one of them. The Rangemaster came packed with one which I have never used. Instead, I am using a tightly regulated 13.8vDC power supply with the transmitter. The extra voltage did not raise the output power, because I tuned it with a meter at the transmitter. "
In Todd Jenkins review he doesn't indicate why he chose to power his with only 13.8v, but now I wonder if he did it be more gentle on the circuitry of the transmitter - but I'm just speculating. But perhaps that better explains why the Rangemaster has an adjustable power output, to allow for a variable of power supply inputs. It seems to make sense.
Once upon a time (back when my installation was on the pier and pavilion) I too had decided to use a regulated power supply on my Rangemaster. There had been a lot of talk going on at the time that doing so provided a cleaner signal or something, so I had bought an adjustable regulated power supply which I had set to 16 volts because that's what the supplied wallwart had been.
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And just for the sake of mentioning (only because I stumbled across it again) the October 2018 issue of Radio Guide in the article titled "Smartcaster: 35 Years of Dedicated Service to Radio" talks a little about the Rangemaster (and the Schlockwood processor and other gear) but makes no mention of power supply, but it's an interesting read. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC-Engineering/Radio-Guide/2018/Radio-Guide-2018-09-10.pdf