Underclocking

Underclocking is the practice of modifying a microprocessor's speed settings to run at a lower clock speed than the manufacturer's specification. The purpose is generally to decrease heat dissipation and/or decrease electricity consumption. This can be done for the purposes of increasing system stability in high-heat environments, or to allow a system to run with a lower airflow (and therefore quieter) cooling fan or without one at all. However, this invariably comes at the expense of some system performance.

While underclocking is a relatively rare practice, overclocking is not. In essence underclocking can be considered as the inverse of overclocking.

External links

• Underclocking: what's the rush?