> > When you have full load, the CPU won't clock down. So nothing saved there.
> When you're considering full load, the TDP becomes a useful estimation > of relative power consumption between different processors. > > If you don't have full load, the clock-down doesn't save much compared to > > max clocks while idle. > This is where you're wrong. OK. both sides are well stated. Amp meters are less than $50 USD. They clamp around the power cord, or any wires inside the computer you can fit the "clamp" around. So make your choice, based on actual measurements? That's how an EE would make a decision on how a given processor or software setup actually effects the power consumption. REAL DATA. Note, some of the fancier meter's have an integrator function where measurements are taken frequently over a time period to get an even more realistic picture of power consumption... http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_6/chpt_2/4.html hth, James
