High Performance Power Plan vs. Balanced Power Plan for overclocked voltages

[Raven A]

I just noticed that when I use the High Performance Power Plan in Windows Power Settings, my 6700K is constantly at its overclocked Max Core Frequency of 4,600Ghz, and thus also at its maximum voltage of 1,33V. On Balanced Power Settings, it changes according to system load.

I set my voltage mode to Adaptive, so that my CPU doesn't have to suffer from overclocked voltage levels constantly, however that obviously doesn't work when it's constantly at its maximum.

What are the advantages of constantly being at Max CPU Frequency and Voltage versus having it adapt to the current system load? Is it dangerous for an overclocked system to use the High Performance Plan?

 

[Dunlop0078]

Advantages? Not sure if there are any, maybe stability for heavily overclocked systems, I cant imagine it will help performance in games assuming your cpu was going up to its max speed when required while using the balanced performance mode. Disadvantages are heat and power consumption, I wouldn't say its very dangerous as long as your temps are in check. I would never run my cpu at its max frequency constantly, I dont see the point.

 

[blazorthon]

Generally speaking, using the balanced plan is best. It performs pretty much identically and wastes less power when you aren't stressing the system with a heavy load. Still, it's not dangerous to use the high performance plan.

 

[chenuki]

You'll enjoy snappier system responses with max CPU frequency. Max frequency != max load. Use a watt meter and you'll see max frequency at idle doesn't use significantly more power than adaptive frequency at idle. The difference is peanuts when compared to CPU at max load. You may save 75 cents a year if you don't mind a slower system. I would find a good overclock, set to high performance mode and forget about it.

 

[Karadjgne]

High performance mode disables most of the eco settings, things like sleep and hibernate. When under heavy OC with tailored voltages at minimum for stability, any changes in voltage can and will cause instability, so most who OC and have dropped vcore as low as possible to reduce heat output really don't want the changes eco settings can cause. Ppl who pay extra for the ability to OC, and then use that option are after 1 result. Higher performance. Having eco settings trounce that is just irritating.

Balanced mode opts for some eco settings and is best used by the majority of users who either have no OC, no options for OC or a mild OC where temps are not an issue so can afford a slightly higher vcore for better stability.

Having either mode active won't hurt the pc at all, it's designed for such activity, but both modes can also be customized, which is the most common varient. You can enable high performance but under advanced options, enable sleeping or monitor shutdowns, which leaves things like USB charge ports active, high clock speeds etc, but also allows better idle.

 

[chenuki]

Karadjgne is correct in that either setting won't hurt your pc. My simple view of this choice is: why would anyone buy a 6700k, overclock it, then continue to use the same default Windows Power settings as their dentist's office PC

Anyway, no bad choices here... but just know a small green chameleon is secretly judging you every time you boot Windows with the wrong power plan 😉

 

[Raven A]

Thanks for the replies, they're very useful. However, no one's addressed the fact that my CPU is constantly at its maximum overclocked voltage of 1,33V when using the high performance power plan. Won't it be better for the longevity of my CPU if it only goes to that voltage under heavy load?

 

[blazorthon]

That really doesn't harm longevity much. CPUs are pretty tough if you aren't going for overclocking world records. 1.33V is not dangerous.

 

[chenuki]

Excess current with inadequate heat dissipation can degrade silicon. And since current only increase with system load, voltage is only part of the equation. With 1.33V well under Intel's 1.52V max, and your chip not running prime95 24/7, I suggest you don't worry too much about it.

Also helps to remember that for a long time in the past CPUs only ran at their full frequencies. SpeedStep and other ECO modes are a relatively new thing.