some questions

[Boojak]

processor: i7 2600k
mobo: asus P8P67
cooler: d14

I plan to run the rig 24/7, so I think it's ideal to go for 4.5ghz overclocked.
however, while my rig will be on 24/7, it won't be under load (100% CPU usage) all the time, so I will use speedstep.

the question is... if I use speedstep and reach 4.5 ghz when under load, do I have to manually set the voltage offset? so when not under load, the voltage will actually drop back to default or whatever.

I have come to believe that... Fixed voltage (no offsets, just fixed) to make 4.5ghz stable and using speedstep at the same time... would be unnecessary. That would be a waste of voltage, right?

 

[Forceman]

You should use offset if you want it to down-volt at idle. If you set a fixed manual voltage, it'll run that voltage all the time. However, even with a fixed voltage you still want to enable speedstep, so it'll downclock - power use is a function of both voltage and freqeucny, so you'll get some savings with a low freq even if the voltage is fixed.