The top energy-efficient gaming processor available in early 2020
The top energy-efficient gaming processor available in early 2020
I mostly enjoy gaming but have limited power since I rely on batteries. I prefer working with portable devices over laptops because I dislike rigid, non-adjustable components and they tend to be costly. I’m looking for a CPU that’s extremely energy-efficient, providing consistent frame rates across games from the year 2000 to 2020. While I don’t care about multicore speed, I value the number of cores and threads instead.
This seems confusing if core and thread counts aren't important; multicore performance is key. If a single core was everything, ignore the 8-core numbers. For gaming only, the Ryzen 3600 is a solid choice. AMD processors are quite energy-efficient, so you might prefer Ryzen over the Coffee Lake line.
I understand, but my language isn't quite right for what you meant. Each game handles the CPU differently. Intel adjusts itself to various requirements, so if an app needs fewer cores but faster speeds, the CPU will choose accordingly. AMD tends to increase all cores whenever possible, though it often struggles to boost some effectively. Some older games rely heavily on just one core, which can cause stutters on AMD but not on Intel because Intel usually boosts well enough for short bursts. What I meant is that version 4.2 isn't sufficient for me. Still, most recent titles make good use of all cores, so high clock speeds from AMD don't matter as much as the number of cores or threads.
Consider using a lower-voltage setup with a 3600 or 3600X clock speed and minimize your clocks while maintaining good game performance. Then apply an undervolt setting. Intel processors offer reduced latency and more headroom at higher speeds, but they consume significantly more power. Because you're constrained by power, an Intel chip won't run at full voltage, which also limits your ability to outperform the Ryzen. For this scenario, focus on performance efficiency per watt, and a manually tuned Zen 2 will likely surpass any Intel option.
Dropping clocks isn’t easy, it’s a real challenge. Not sure what to choose. I’m looking for a CPU with strong boost capabilities like Intel. The Intel 9900T seems capable of high peak performance and efficient power use, though only briefly. AMD options might offer better boosting features but lack the same efficiency benefits.
Intel Turbo Boost operates with a fixed multiplier based solely on core load. It remains constant unless temperatures rise significantly (around 100°C), at which point it reduces clock speed to safeguard the processor. This approach lacks intelligence, offering only a straightforward boost. AMD's PBO (Precision Boost Overdrive) provides more advanced control. It evaluates voltage and thermal capacity, core count, and workload intensity before adjusting speeds. Compared to Intel, this delivers substantially better performance. For optimal efficiency, you should lower the clock speed to the minimum needed for smooth gameplay, then further reduce voltage during idle periods using automatic offsets. Zen 2 Ryzen chips excel here due to higher IPC and efficient power use, allowing fine-tuning for even greater savings. An Intel chip pushed to such low power levels would likely stall or underperform. The ringbus architecture also struggles with high core counts, making it less suitable for multi-threaded workloads.
Regarding silicon bining, the performance with 8 cores 3700X may match or even exceed that of 3600X when downclocked in terms of power use. It should work fine if the 8-core Ryzen 7 consumes the same power as the 3600X at lower speeds. What are your expectations?
3800X offers a better binned design compared to 3700X, while 3600X provides a superior binned version of its predecessor. I’m not sure how the 8C power usage stacks up against the 6C, but it’s clear that chiplet binning allows more cores in the same package without increasing power consumption.