SBOA431 September   2020 TMP1075 , TMP108 , TMP112 , TMP144 , TMP461 , TMP464 , TMP468

 

  1.   Trademarks
  2. 1Introduction
  3. 2What is a CPU, GPU, and SoC?
  4. 3Temperature vs. Performance
    1. 3.1 Benefits of Faster Processors
    2. 3.2 Overclocking and Underclocking (Clock Throttling)
      1. 3.2.1 Overclocking
      2. 3.2.2 Underclocking (Clock Throttling)
    3. 3.3 Cooling Systems
  5. 4Benchmarking
    1. 4.1 Benchmarking Data
      1. 4.1.1 Smartphones
      2. 4.1.2 Gaming PCs
        1. 4.1.2.1 Gaming PC CPU Performance
        2. 4.1.2.2 Gaming PC GPU Performance
  6. 5How to get Accurate CPU/GPU Temperature
    1. 5.1 Using Local Temperature Sensor
    2. 5.2 Using Remote Temperature Sensor
  7. 6Summary

3 Temperature vs. Performance

To understand why CPUs and GPUs overheat we have to look at these devices at the transistor level. There can be up to 100 million transistors per square millimeter on a processing unit. Each transistor acts as a switch to allow or stop current from flowing through it. When transistors switch, they go through a more resistive state. Any current passing through a resistance will generate I2R losses which generates heat. At higher clock rates the transistors goes through the more resistive state more often which creates more heat. This self-heating can damage the processor if not monitored accurately.