Editing Underclocking (section)

==When used==
[[Dynamic frequency scaling]] (automatic underclocking) is very common on laptop computers and has become common on desktop computers as well. In laptops, the processor is usually underclocked automatically whenever the computer is operating on batteries. Most modern notebook and desktop processors (utilizing power-saving schemes like [[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD's]] [[Cool'n'Quiet]] and [[PowerNow!]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amd.com/uk/products/technologies/amd-powernow-technology/Pages/amd-powernow-technology.aspx |title=Global Provider of Innovative Graphics, Processors and Media Solutions |publisher=AMD |access-date=2016-06-02}}</ref>) will underclock themselves automatically under a light processing load, when the machine BIOS and the operating system support it. Intel has also used this method on numerous processors through a feature called [[SpeedStep]]. SpeedStep first appeared on chips like the [[Core 2 Duo]] and selective Pentium models, later becoming a standard in mid to high-end Core i3, i5, and i7 models.

Some processors underclock automatically as a defensive measure, to prevent overheating which could cause permanent damage. When such a processor reaches a [[temperature]] level deemed too high for safe operation, the ''thermal control circuit'' activates, automatically decreasing the clock and [[CPU core voltage]] until the temperature has returned to a safe level. In a properly cooled environment, this mechanism should trigger rarely (if ever).

There are several different underclocking competitions similar in format to [[overclocking]] competitions, except the goal is to have the lowest clocked computer, as opposed to the highest.{{which|date=May 2022}}{{cn|date=May 2022}}