Processor Level Techniques
The power management for microprocessors can be done over the whole processor, or in specific areas.
With dynamic voltage scaling and dynamic frequency scaling, the CPU core voltage, clock rate, or both, can be altered to decrease power consumption at the price of potentially lower performance. This is sometimes done in real time to optimize the power-performance tradeoff.
Examples:
- AMD Cool'n'Quiet
- AMD PowerNow!
- IBM EnergyScale
- Intel SpeedStep
- Transmeta LongRun and LongRun2
- VIA LongHaul (PowerSaver)
Additionally, processors can selectively power off internal circuitry (power gating). For example:
- Newer Intel Core processors support ultra-fine power control over the functional units within the processors.
- AMD CoolCore technology get more efficient performance by dynamically activating or turning off parts of the processor.
Intel VRT technology split the chip into a 3.3V I/O section and a 2.9V core section. The lower core voltage reduces power consumption.
Read more about this topic: Power Management
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