In the PPDPW reporting, it might also be worth also noting the CPU
voltage you are using. (whether stock voltage, or give actual voltage if under/over volted). Since power usage depends on CPU voltage.
viewtopic.php?t=41883&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
A question that came to mind while reading that thread is, how
does PPDPW (e.g.) vary with under volt/clocking. Do you get the most
performance per watt when undervolted at stock speed, or can one do
better with minimal stable voltage and under (or over)clocking?
One of the strange ideas that seems to be mentioned often in folding
discussions is this concept of "wasted cycles." As if there were all these
cycles that are just going into the bit bucket if they don't get used.
Since most recent CPUs and operating systems execute low-powered
instructions when they are doing nothing, and many use lower power
states when not busy (reduced clock frequency, reduced voltage, etc...)
the idea of wasted cycles is a bit of an anachronism. Certainly an idle
computer still uses power, but it uses even more when it is busy.
In terms of minimizing electric usage, you want to keep it off as much as
possible, and when on want to keep in low power state.
But if going to do heavy crunching with it - where is the sweet spot - where it gets the most done for least power?