Underclocking My Entire PC To 1Ghz (1000th Upload) In a fascinating 1000th video milestone, the uploader decided to underclock their entire PC system down to just 1GHz. This bold choice aims to explore the limits of computer performance at this historically significant frequency, which, back in the day, was quite the achievement. Here's a detailed breakdown of what this experiment entails and the outcomes observed throughout various gaming tests.
What is Underclocking?
Underclocking involves reducing the speed of a computer's components, notably the CPU, RAM, and GPU. This experiment set all these components to operate at a mere 1000MHz (or 1GHz), significantly lower than modern standards. Historically, reaching 1GHz in components was a significant milestone, but in today's context, it severely restricts performance capabilities.
The Experiment Setup
Graphics Card Configuration: Using MSI Afterburner, the uploader adjusted the GPU's voltage frequency curve, capping it just under 1GHz. This allows the 36 DTI card to push out a maximum performance of approximately 960MHz.
CPU and RAM Adjustments: The RAM was set to DDR4 speed at 1000MHz, while the CPU clock ratio was adjusted to limit its clock speed to 1GHz. Intel Turbo Boost was also disabled to ensure that none of the components exceeded this limit.
Game Performance Insights
Starting with several classic and modern games, the performance results were quite illuminating:
Crysis (2007): Surprisingly, the game maintained about 30 frames per second (FPS) even at high settings and a medium post-processing level. The power consumption was notably low at only 45 watts.
Battlefield 1: Initial frame rates were promising at nearly 200 FPS; however, during intense gameplay, drops to as low as 30 FPS were observed. This highlighted the limitations imposed by underclocking, especially in more chaotic gameplay scenarios.
CS:GO: The CPU-intensive nature of this game struggled at 1GHz, experiencing significant frame dips, particularly during combat situations.
Cyberpunk 2077: Initially, the game exceeded 30 FPS in less populated areas, but as activities picked up around the city, performance faltered due to CPU constraints.
GTA V: The game was relatively smooth, with minor stutters. Despite lowered performance, it demonstrated that playable experiences are still achievable, albeit far from optimal. Despite the underclocking presenting severe challenges for real-time gaming, the uploader noted that the components ran significantly cooler, which could be beneficial for low-power setups.
Conclusion
This video serves as a playful exploration rather than a practical recommendation for gamers. While it highlights the capabilities of the hardware at such low operational speeds, it also emphasizes how modern gaming demands far exceed what 1GHz can practically support today. The decision to underclock was inspired by the significant milestone of the channel's 1000th upload, showcasing a creative twist on how far technology has come. Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences with overclocking or underclocking your system. Have you tried pushing your PC to extremes? Let’s discuss!