What is tdp and why is it important

When buying a new processor there is a data that is always offered, the TDP, which is often “translated” as the consumption of the processor, although its concept is actually quite different. We have prepared this post to explain in a simple way what the TDP is and why you should take it into account when buying a new processor.

What is the TDP and how is it calculated?

TDP is the acronym for Thermal Design Power, it is strictly the thermal output measurement of an ASIC. It is a concept used to measure the amount of heat that a given component is expected to generate when under load. For example, a processor with a TDP of 95W is expected to generate a value of 95W of heat when in use at 100%. The TDP is often spoken of as the consumption of the component in question, as we have seen, the concept of the TDP does not include anything of the consumption in its definition, although it is fair to say that the users who translate it as the consumption of the component are not so wrong. altogether.

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Taking the example of the TDP 95W processor, it does not mean that the processor will need 95W of power from the power supply, even though the TDP is measured in watts. Manufacturers use the TDP as a nominal value for the refrigeration systems that are designed, the higher the TDP, the more refrigeration will be required.

The TDP is not equivalent to the amount of energy that the component in question will generate, but that does not mean that it cannot be used as an estimate. The amount of heat generated is directly related to energy consumption. In general, a component with a lower TDP will consume less electricity from the power supply. It is extremely rare that the consumption of a component reaches the TDP, unless it is very intensive applications and processes.

There is a formula to calculate the TDP:

TDP (W) = (tCase ° C - tAmbient ° C) / (HSF Θca)

• tCase ° C: It is the maximum temperature allowed at the junction between the IHS and the die of the processor. tAmbient ° C: This is the maximum temperature at the heatsink fan inlet for the processor to maintain its performance. HSF-Θca (° C / W): This is the temperature value per minimum watt on the heatsink to achieve nominal performance.

Let's take an example with the new AMD Ryzen 7 2700X processor, whose TDP is 105 watts:

(61.8 - 42) /0.182 = 104.76 TDP

• tCase ° C: 61.8 optimal temperature, set by AMD. tAmbient ° C: 42ºC, established by AMD. HSF-Θca (° C / W): 0.189 Θca. It is an AMD specification for the heat performance of the heatsink, in this case the AMD Wraith Prism.

Final words and conclusion about What is the TDP and why it is important

As a conclusion of what is the TDP, we can say that the TDP is essentially a reading that helps determine the energy efficiency and performance of a component. A component with a higher TDP will generally provide more performance and consume more electricity from the power source. The TDP is not a direct measure of how much power a component will consume, but it is a good approximation.

Here ends our post on what TDP is and why it is important, remember to share it on social networks so that it can help more users.

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