Undervolting

What Does Undervolting Mean?

Undervolting is a process through which voltage to computer processors and components is decreased dynamically on run-time. It is a process within dynamic voltage scaling that enables conserving electric voltage to reduce energy consumption and heat produced by computing components.

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Techopedia Explains Undervolting

Undervolting is primarily implemented in devices that have limited electrical supply and are powered by a battery, such as laptops and mobile devices. Typically, undervolting is managed through software based power management utilities. Such utilities are available by default in most operating systems. Although, undervolting increases energy efficiency and enables devices to run longer on battery, it also has performance drawbacks. The lesser quantity of voltage supplied results in a cap on processing power. Moreover, undervolting a system further than its minimal voltage threshold can result in system crashes.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…