Most people undervolt their CPU or GPU to lower its temperature, but that's not necessarily why I do it. If I just wanted my CPU or GPU to run a few degrees cooler, I would've simply increased the fan speed, used a premium thermal paste, or improved the airflow in my case. Yes, the temperature reduction is a big factor, but it's only part of the story. What really sold me on undervolting were the other benefits I didn't expect at first. Nowadays, I don't use a new CPU without undervolting it first.

I look at undervolting as a way to fine-tune the performance of my CPU because most modern processors ship with conservative voltage settings to ensure stability. By reducing unnecessary voltage, you're not only cutting down the heat generated but also making your CPU run more efficiently. In my experience, the CPU performance stays more consistent under heavy loads, and my PC isn't as loud as it used to be. So without further ado, let's dive into some of the key benefits of undervolting beyond thermals.

Lower fan speeds

Lower temperature means your fans don't have to ramp up constantly

The immediate benefit of lowering your CPU or GPU temperature is that your fans don't need to spin as aggressively to keep things under control. Out of the box, my Ryzen 7 5800X3D often touches 80C while playing the latest AAA games, and that's when my cooler's fans ramp up to the point that they're audible even while wearing headphones. After undervolting, the temperature hovers around 75C instead, allowing the fans to stay at a much lower RPM.

The difference is night and day, even though the temperature drop is around 5C; my PC no longer sounds like a jet engine, especially during long gaming sessions. Even when I'm doing regular tasks like web browsing or writing articles for XDA, the fans run at lower speeds with the reduced voltage settings. And quieter operation isn't the only benefit here. Fans that don't ramp up often also tend to last longer since they experience less mechanical stress over time. This makes undervolting one of the easiest ways to make your PC quieter and healthier over time.

Better sustained boost clocks

Your CPU and GPU will be able to maintain peak performance for longer

You may be familiar with the boost clock speeds of modern CPUs and GPUs. The thing is, to maintain these higher speeds, the chips need to stay within safe thermal and power limits. At stock voltage settings, most modern CPUs run pretty close to these limits, meaning you'll only see them hit their peak performance for a short duration before reducing the clock speed a bit to keep temperatures in check. Since undervolting reduces temperatures by a few degrees, your CPU or GPU won't run into thermal limits nearly as often, especially if you have a capable cooler.

When my Ryzen 7 5800X3D touches or exceeds 80C, it lowers its clock speeds by 50-100MHz. This may not seem like much, but it does make a noticeable difference in CPU-bound games. But after undervolting, since my CPU stays in the 70s, it's able to maintain its boost clock speeds for longer, which translates to slightly better 1% and 0.1% low FPS during extended gaming sessions. I don't encounter FPS dips or stuttering nearly as often while playing demanding AAA titles, and that's exactly what makes undervolting feel like a performance upgrade. The same holds true for GPUs. My RTX 4090 sustains its boost clocks for longer, which results in smoother frame pacing in graphically intensive games.

Reduced power draw

Less strain on your PSU and lower electricity bills in the long run

Lastly, we have one of the less obvious perks of undervolting, which is lowering how much power your CPU or GPU draws from the PSU. Like I mentioned earlier, at stock settings, these components consume more power than they need, and most of that excess gets wasted as heat. By lowering the voltage, you're basically trimming the excess and letting your components run more efficiently. The practical benefits go beyond just saving a few watts.

For starters, undervolting reduces the strain on your PSU since it no longer has to supply as much power to keep your PC running. For example, after undervolting both my RTX 4090 and 58003D, my total system power draw has reduced by 60-70 watts on average. This not only helps the PSU run cooler and quieter but also extends its lifespan in the long term. And let's not forget about power savings. Sure, it may not seem like a lot at first, but if you're someone who spends hours every day gaming like I do, it definitely adds up over time and makes a noticeable difference on your electricity bills.

A simple tweak that pays off in more ways than one

As you can see, undervolting isn't just about lowering your CPU or GPU temperatures. I'll admit that I first used it as a way to keep thermals in check and avoid throttling, but I've learned over time that the benefits run much deeper. From steadier boost clocks for sustained performance and quieter fans to lower power draw and reduced strain on your PSU, undervolting improves your PC's efficiency and longevity. Unlike overclocking, undervolting has no real downsides if done correctly. Sure, it takes some time to find the right voltage settings for your CPU and GPU, but once you do, it's something you can simply set and forget. As long as you avoid the common mistakes people make, you'll wonder why you didn't try undervolting sooner.