Undrvolting

EliasM

Hi guys,

I've read a lot about undervolting, but this forum is the only trustworthy source of info for me. so I was wondering:
Is undervolting safe?
Does it reduce the lifespan of the cpu? or other components?
Does it void my warranty?
Should I do it if my laptop is running fine? (Actually I don't yet know if 85 degrees while gaming is fine)

I have the Acer PH517-51-95C6 Predator Helios 500 17.3" Laptop, Core i9 8950HK.

Thanks for your undying support guys!
Elias

ven98

Average temperature of 85C on CPU and GPU is normal. You begin worrying about temperature when it goes higher than that. Temperature spikes of 90C+ are also normal.

EliasM

What drives me crazy is that while fan speed is set to auto, the fans does not run fully when the cpu temp is around 85. I've never seen the fans running at maximum speed while on auto configuration...
Anyway,
Moedel: Acer PH517-51-95C6 Predator Helios 500
CPU: i9 8950hk
GPU: GTX 1070
Operating system: Windows 10 home

Should I update the bios?

ven98

Unless you experience some bugs with the machine I wouldn't advice updating the BIOS.

Otherwise:
Undervolting is safe
It won't damage the CPU or any other component, just the opposite

I think it voids warranty, but it shouldn't in my opinion. If the laptop dies and it is undervolted you can just take the drive on which Intel XTU or throttlestop is and wipe it clean on another device. If it has windows installed, just factory reset windows with cleaning all data.

Even if the temperatures are fine(at most 85C avergae on CPU and GPU), I would still recommened undervolting, because lower temperature is always welcome, as it reduces the fan speed and therefore less wear on the fans an less fan noise.

xapim

Undervolting doesn't harm any hardware the cpu/gpu run at the same clocks but on lower voltage (less heat less throttling)

strider16

Regarding PC hardware, undervolting is safe. Regarding most of electronic and electric devices, this is also true.

Lower voltages implies less stress in electrical insulation inside semiconductors, lower voltages means usually lower electrical current too. All these effects can lower temperatures in these devices, and this is only beneficial. And since there is less energy cycling in the device, there is a lower electrical consumption implied.

The only issue is, PC works at a digital level, binary, and so there is needed a sensible difference between the electrical levels of "0" and "1". Or "on" and "off". Or "true" or "false". To these levels are atributed distinct voltage levels, which varies depending on speed, temperature, manufacturing batches... and much more. Long story very, very short: if you undervolt you are reducing this difference, saving energy, reducing temperatures... the opposite of stressing the device. But if you undervolt too much, the difference between these levels get small enough to not being perceived, which leads to miscalculations inside the device, and may lead to data loss. Return voltage to good levels and voilà, system rock stable again.

AFAIK, there's no way to manufacturers know if you undervolt your device, but when you run some official tools to tweak voltage and speed, these apps usually says all data loss and device damage is user responsability, they only guarantee your device under official specs.

That said, just undervolt it. You will get a cooler and more efficient energy device.