Reduce peak processor demand across the board.
Reduce peak processor demand across the board.
Hello, during hot summer months my computer gets quite warm under the desk, especially when it's closed on three sides. I often want to limit hardware activity even if it means sacrificing some speed. In winter I can run games at full settings, but in summer I have to keep everything very low. Normally I stay around 60-70 degrees, and the issue is that heat has to travel through the case. I dislike high temperatures and use a tool called BES to restrict CPU usage for demanding apps like Java games or video processing. With BES I cap it at about 50-60% most of the time. My main question is: can I set a global limit for processor usage (and GPU too) across all running programs in Windows? I tried adjusting power-saving settings but sometimes when I do something CPU-heavy it still pushes the percentage over 30%. The processor speed doesn’t change much either. Right now, with power saver on, it runs between 3.7 and 4.1 GHz, which feels a bit too fast for a simple web browser.
Could we relocate it to an area with better ventilation? Directing a fan toward it might help too.
It limits CPU-speed instead of capping usage. This is the correct approach for managing thermal output; reduce how fast the CPU operates to prevent overheating, regardless of the percentage of resources consumed by a process. You were focusing on the wrong aspect—speed control rather than resource allocation. In short: adjust the power settings and set a maximum speed limit.
Capping CPU usage with BES addresses the issue when dealing with a single program that consumes many resources. I adjusted the processor speed to 30% instead of 100%, and the task manager readings remained stable. For the AMD FX-9590, I’d like an in-Windows fix (no BIOS steps needed) because sometimes it’s acceptable to reach around 60% when I’m not at my desk.
Temperature-wise, it’s okay for normal use—around 45°C with a browser open, and about 70°C during gaming (28-30°C both inside and outside). The main concern is the discomfort from sitting in front of the heat source. My desk design isn’t ideal.
Consulted OpenHardwareMonitor, cores hit 4716MHz. My CPU supports 4.7GHz, so the 30% threshold seems not to apply.
I don't have FX-processors, which might explain why the settings aren't being recognized. Someone else might have a better idea.
FX has a long history and is really appealing, lowering voltages can drop temperatures yet maintain speed.