Question about exactly what TDP is.

G80FTW

G80FTW

Active Member
I have always referenced it to "Total Design Power" or "Thermal Design Power" and taken that as the maximum power the unit will draw under stock operation (no overclocking). Right?

But I have read both sides....other sources say it is just a measurement of the heat it dissipates. This whole TDP thing is confusing me.

So first off, my TDP for my CPU says it is 130W. HWM says it is drawing just over 144W. That is what its telling me right?




Also, it appears FAH only uses my CPU. I thought it was also programmed to make use of GPU as well? Thats why I started running FAH because I feel like even with all the games I have I still havent touched on what this GPU can do so I figured it could do some folding..... did I do something wrong? I havent folded since 2006 and that was for a different forum. So the program now is completely different.

Lastly, I am looking to replace my old PSU I am worried about its low 12V voltage. Am I correct to assume that if my CPU is pulling 144W and my GPU at 100% will pull 200W then I would only need about a 450W PSU right? I was looking at just getting another 650W Antec.
 
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First of all, TDP, however you refer to it is an average maximum power the processor can dissipate. If you overclock it, it will dissipate more, hence you need better cooling solution. You say that your processor draws 144W, but that is just the power draw, as to say: "this is how much I take off the wall". TDP is: "This is how much heat I give bac to the environment". (heat is measured in watts too).

Secondly, your FAH client runs only on CPU (that's why it doesn't use the GPU), perhaps som configuration you need to do? Also, you seem to be running normal units, instead of Bigadv. If you configured to run Bigadv from the start, note you need to have a key to, which you can get from Stanfords website and work through 10 units in timely manner (you will get bonus points from 11th unit).

Lastly, your PSU. It's not just CPU and GPU you're running. Think all HDD's, motherboard, case etc. 450W for that set up is way too little. 650W known brand PSU will suffice.

Hope that helps a bit :)
 
Your sig says you have an earthwatts 650 and plan for a platinum 650, there are better options, IIRC the earthwatts have a bit of a low 12v amperage. Looked it up and they do it weird, they use like 4 medium amp rails, the platinum 650 has 4 30amp 12v rails, not really sure how reliable that is compared to a single 50 amp rail. I would rather get a single high amp rail like one of these

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139035

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256067

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171057

with the 10% off the second one, corsair, is probs the best deal IMO.

And, all of those links are modular, and all but the cooler master are fully modular, meaning every single cord will detach from the psu itself.
 
jonnyp11 said:
Your sig says you have an earthwatts 650 and plan for a platinum 650, there are better options, IIRC the earthwatts have a bit of a low 12v amperage. Looked it up and they do it weird, they use like 4 medium amp rails, the platinum 650 has 4 30amp 12v rails, not really sure how reliable that is compared to a single 50 amp rail. I would rather get a single high amp rail like one of these

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139035

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256067

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171057

with the 10% off the second one, corsair, is probs the best deal IMO.

And, all of those links are modular, and all but the cooler master are fully modular, meaning every single cord will detach from the psu itself.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions, but I dont want a modular psu. And this antec has lasted me since 2007 so I think the earthwatts are pretty reliable. And the 93% efficiency its rather attractive :D
 
Why would you not want a modular psu? it reduces clutter a lot, and i know they are reliable but not sure if all those rails are better than the single high amp ones
 
jonnyp11 said:
Why would you not want a modular psu? it reduces clutter a lot, and i know they are reliable but not sure if all those rails are better than the single high amp ones
Click to expand...

Id prefer a high amp single rail as well. But they are generally more expensive.
 
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