How many Amps should an AMD FX-8350 normaly draw?

[johnx125]

I don't have a lot of experience on CPUs, so this question might sound stupid but I'm really confused and I need some help. So yesterday I was trying to find out how many amps my CPU is drawing... so I did the math (Watts/Volts=Amps) and the result was almost 90 Amps! I guess I did something wrong in the math and I don't know what. But 90 Amps is just too much for a CPU isn't it? So yeah that's why I need your help guys! 😛

 

[clutchc]

It depends on which point in the circuit you did you calculations. At the +12V supply to the VRMs, current would not be that high. But at the lower core voltage of ~1.4v, quite possibly. At that point the current is spread out over several pins.

 

[johnx125]

It depends on which point in the circuit you did you calculations. At the +12V supply to the VRMs, current would not be that high. But at the lower core voltage of ~1.4v, quite possibly. At that point the current is spread out over several pins.

My calculations are based on the core voltage and the CPU's TDP. So 90 Amps is normal?

 

[clutchc]

1.4V x 90A = 126W
The FX-8350 is a 125 (TDP) processor. So seems logical if the CPU was under load.

 

[johnx125]

1.4V x 90A = 126W
The FX-8350 is a 125 (TDP) processor. So seems logical if the CPU was under load.

Well yeah it was under load... Also I've heard that the +12V from the PSU goes to the VRMs and is then transformed to 1.4V but with way more Amps. Is this the way it works or am I wrong?

 

[clutchc]

1.4V x 90A = 126W
The FX-8350 is a 125 (TDP) processor. So seems logical if the CPU was under load.

Well yeah it was under load... Also I've heard that the +12V from the PSU goes to the VRMs and is then transformed to 1.4V but with way more Amps. Is this the way it works or am I wrong?

Yes. The Voltage Regulation Module supplies the voltage that the CPU cores require. And Ohm's Law dictates that the Watts = Volts x Amps in a pure DC circuit, as you stated above. So if the cores draw 90 amps at 1.4v, it will equal the +12V (primary) side of the VRM at 7.5 amp.

 

[johnx125]

Ok I understand now. Thank you very much for your help!