GPU Electrically Throttled

I noticed that the GPU I'm training on is only at 80% capacity, but already at 300W power draw. This is on our @Dell 7875 Workstation. Does that mean it's "electrically throttled" on a power budget just like it would be on a heat budget? GPU utilization is a measure of the time the GPU is not completely idle, it will not go down because of thermal or power throttling. If less than 100%, the GPU is going idle waiting for the CPU to give it more work.

A screenshot of a dark-mode X conversation shows Dave W Plummer asking whether a GPU running at 80% utilization and 300W is “electrically throttled” by its power budget. John Carmack replies with a technical explanation that GPU utilization measures idle time and can fall when the GPU is waiting for the CPU, making the joke about Carmack explaining computers to an experienced programmer. The meme is used as a reaction to someone giving an unexpectedly authoritative technical explanation. EN: A screenshot of a dark-mode X conversation shows Dave W Plummer asking whether a GPU running at 80% utilization and 300W is “electrically throttled” by its power budget. John Carmack replies with a technical explanation that GPU utilization measures idle time and can fall when the GPU is waiting for the CPU, making the joke about Carmack explaining computers to an experienced programmer. The meme is used as a reaction to someone giving an unexpectedly authoritative technical explanation.

• @gentoomemes / 21263 2026-07-03