The Time Stamp Counter (TSC) is a 64-bit register present on all x86 processors since the Pentium. It counts the number of cycles since reset. The instruction RDTSC returns the TSC in EDX:EAX. In x86-64 mode, RDTSC also clears the higher 32 bits of RAX. Its opcode is 0F 31. Pentium competitors such as the Cyrix 6x86 did not always have a TSC and may consider RDTSC an illegal instruction. Cyrix included a Time Stamp Counter in their MII.
Read more about Time Stamp Counter: Use, Implementation in Various Processors, Operating System Support, Other Architectures
Famous quotes containing the words time, stamp and/or counter:
“O time that cut’st down all!
And scarce leav’st here
Memoriall
Of any men that were.”
—Robert Herrick (1591–1674)
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—Thomas Mann (1875–1955)
“Often, when there is a conflict between parent and child, at its very hub is an expectation that the child should be acting differently. Sometimes these expectations run counter what is known about children’s growth. They stem from remembering oneself, but usually at a slightly older age.”
—Ellen Galinsky (20th century)