Power Target of a GPU, What is it and What is it Used for?

Graphic cards have long been a key part of PC games and computer graphics. The introduction of PCI-E (universal serial bus) technology and faster memory made it possible to achieve an excellent visual experience through improved graphics. The presence of a faster CPU and high-capacity RAM has also made it possible for developers to create highly complex games with a large number of characters and details. The popularity of PC games and applications has increased over the years, making it important to understand the role of graphic cards.

For a while now, graphics cards have really evolved little in terms of control of them. We continue to have the same values to be able to overclock, underclock and on the same components. The last really interesting jump was introduced in Kepler and only under some GPUs, since at that time NVIDIA partially unlocked the Power Target, but what is it really?

The vast majority of users are unaware of terms as specific as this. A normal person who has a graphics card for gaming does not have to really know it, but in certain scenarios it can be useful beyond the typical opening of the game and playing it.

Power Target of a GPU

Above all, if for whatever reason your graphics card has temperature problems, which in turn will be linked to problems with consumption. For this, terms like Power Target are very useful, so let’s get to know it more in depth.

Power Target, a limiter that turns many on its head

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The Power Target (PT), formerly known as Power Limit, is a term that NVIDIA invented and was eventually released for all of its GPUs starting with Maxwell. Curiously, Kepler in certain models already had this feature, especially in those that could enter custom voltage, but it is true that under some softwares and cards this option was unlocked.

The Power Target specifies the maximum power of a graphics card to be powered. In other words, it represents the maximum TDP that a card can offer . This value is represented as a percentage (%) and part of the base of 100% on all occasions, except for those cards that are limited or do not have a predefined value.

This usually happens in LP versions or in GPUs that are designed for extreme overclocking, where in the first case the temperature and consumption prevail and in the second it is necessary to break all the limits of the model in question.

Higher Power Target, higher consumption and overclocking capacity

Power Target

The term defines a specific value that is based on the TDP of the graphics card, that is, if that card has to dissipate 250 watts, the Power Target at 100% corresponds to that value. A higher percentage indicates that we increase the capacity of the graphics card in terms of TDP and target power, reducing the percentage does just the opposite and limits the consumption of the card and with it the frequencies and voltage.

It is useful if we want to take the card to higher frequencies or if, instead, we want to limit it so that it does not heat up as much, or simply if we do not need more power in our games, where consumption and temperatures would be saved.

The normal values that can be touched show increases of between 20% and 25%, where everything depends on the manufacturer of the model and the BIOS that is installed. There are BIOS that directly override the parameter and therefore there would be no consumption limit set, something that is normally done for extreme overclocking or for those users who go through water and notice that the card continuously underclocks because it reaches the Power limit earlier. Target that of the frequencies themselves.

Currently both AMD and NVIDIA have it and it can be modified with software like Afterburner, GPU Tweak II, Precision X1 and the like. Nor can we forget that in the vast majority of cases the PT is linked to temperature, raising it implies raising the thermal margin, lowering it otherwise, although some of the programs described may break this link.

Cloud Computing For Gaming

As the gaming industry has grown over the years, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of businesses that are utilizing cloud computing for gaming, which also gave birth to modified software. The reason for this growth is due to the fact that there have been many advancements in this area over the past few years. In addition, the costs associated with the gaming industry have also dropped dramatically. 

Cloud computing is simply described as the use of “virtualization” technology to separate your computer hardware from your application software. Essentially, cloud computing is the method of moving your data between two (or more) locations in order to keep your information secure. 

By moving your applications and your data with the help of cloud computing Perth to a remote location, you’re essentially allowing all of your information to be stored without having to invest in expensive computer hardware.

This is particularly beneficial to people who make a lot of online games. If you own and operate your own video game design studio, you already know how difficult it can be to get your work done.