On Mon, Jul 30, 2012 at 12:36 PM, James <[email protected]> wrote: > > >> > 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
I've got a Kill-o-Watt which I use for these kinds of purposes. The problem with obtaining first-hand data for a purchasing decision is getting the parts to perform the tests on. -- :wq
