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3.4 Intel
®
Turbo Boost Technology
Intel Turbo Boost Technology is a feature that allows the processor to opportunistically
and automatically run faster than its rated operating frequency if it is operating below
power, temperature, and current limits. The result is increased performance in multi-
threaded and single threaded workloads. It should be enabled in the BIOS for the
processor to operate with maximum performance.
3.4.1 Intel
®
Turbo Boost Operating Frequency
The processor’s rated frequency assumes that all execution cores are running an
application at the thermal design power (TDP). However, under typical operation, not
all cores are active. Therefore, most applications are consuming less than the TDP at
the rated frequency. To take advantage of the available TDP headroom, the active cores
can increase their operating frequency.
To determine the highest performance frequency amongst active cores, the processor
takes the following into consideration:
• number of cores operating in the C0 state
• estimated current consumption
• estimated power consumption
• die temperature
Any of these factors can affect the maximum frequency for a given workload. If the
power, current, or thermal limit is reached, the processor will automatically reduce the
frequency to stay with its TDP limit.
Note: Intel Turbo Boost Technology is only active if the operating system is requesting the P0
state. For more information on P-states and C-states, refer to
Chapter 4.
3.5 Enhanced Intel
®
SpeedStep
®
Technology
The processor supports Enhanced Intel SpeedStep
®
Technology as an advanced means
of enabling very high performance while also meeting the power-conservation needs of
the platform.
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology builds upon that architecture using design
strategies that include the following:
• Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes. By stepping voltage up
and down in small increments separately from frequency changes, the processor is
able to reduce periods of system unavailability that occur during frequency change.
Thus, the system is able to transition between voltage and frequency states more
often, providing improved power/performance balance.
• Clock Partitioning and Recovery. The bus clock continues running during state
transition, even when the core clock and Phase-Locked Loop are stopped, which
allows logic to remain active. The core clock can also restart more quickly under
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology.
For additional information on Enhanced Intel SpeedStep
®
Technology, refer to
Section 4.2.1.