What is TDP in terms of heat output? Can you convert the measurement of TDP into something like Joules per second, or minute?

[Input_Name_Here]

So I would like to understand what TDP stands for in terms of heat generation. Take the i7-3930k for example, it has a TDP of 130 watts. Does it mean that the CPU can produce 130 watts or joules of heat per second or per minute? Does it have anything to do with the amount of surface the heat is generated on? So if two CPUs have the same heat output but one has a smaller surface area will the TDP be rated differently?

[AresKrieger]

Well you might be able to if TDP was a standard measurement, but since it isn't and companies measure it differently it is a bit random

[vanished]

Yes, TDP is measured (or stated) in Watts, and a Watt is one Joule per second

 

But, it's worth noting that TDPs are all measured and calculated differently, so it's rarely if ever an accurate value for the maximum heat output of a component.

[Enderman]

A CPU will convert all of the power it uses into heat, so yes TDP is watts of heat output by the device.

Just like a heater might output 1000W of heat.

[PCGuy_5960]

Quote

Can you convert the measurement of TDP into something like Joules per second, or minute?

Huh? 1W=1J/s

 

It's the exact same thing

[tomaatvk]

TDP is used to indicate the amount of heat that the component in question could produce in the worst condition. Different companies do use TDP in different ways. For example:

intel's TDP is the amount of heat the worst binned chip could produce when put through the worst kind of torture (at stock settings ofcourse), while most intel chips could not even come close to the TDP they are rated at.

Nvidia GPU chips are a whole different story, they use TDP in such a way that the indicated TDP is the maximum amount of power it is allowed to pull. If the chip wants to pull more, it will get throttled to the point where it will maintain its TDP value.

I have no idea how it works with AMD CPU's, but I guess it works the same as with intel CPU's.

AMD GPU's are the same as Nvidia GPU's, but they key difference is that Nvidia's TDP is for the whole card while AMD only indicates the amount of power the silicon uses.

 

TDP is always just the amount of power, measured it watts (which is the same as joules per second), the part could consume. When we talk about computer parts, basicly all the energy goes into either movement of air/fans/HDD platters, light, sound and heat output. As you may guess, a CPU does not move a fan or produce light, etc. so pretty much all the power a CPU will consume will get transfered into heat.

 

To conclude, for your example of the 3930k. If it would consume and produce 130 watts of heat if it would work at 100% and be one of the worst chips sold. This is at the condition that it is not overclocked.

[Input_Name_Here]

 

 

 

Awesome, thanks yall. 

[Input_Name_Here]

11 minutes ago, Enderman said:

A CPU will convert all of the power it uses into heat, so yes TDP is watts of heat output by the device.

Just like a heater might output 1000W of heat.

Heater? you mean the i9-7900x at 5ghz?