Intel BX80637G2010 Computer Hardware User Manual


 
Power Management
54 Datasheet, Volume 1
4.2.5 Package C-States
The processor supports C0, C1/C1E, C3, and C6 power states. The following is a
summary of the general rules for package C-state entry. These apply to all package C-
states unless specified otherwise:
A package C-state request is determined by the lowest numerical core C-state
amongst all cores.
A package C-state is automatically resolved by the processor depending on the
core idle power states and the status of the platform components.
Each core can be at a lower idle power state than the package if the platform
does not grant the processor permission to enter a requested package C-state.
The platform may allow additional power savings to be realized in the
processor.
For package C-states, the processor is not required to enter C0 before entering
any other C-state.
The processor exits a package C-state when a break event is detected. Depending on
the type of break event, the processor does the following:
If a core break event is received, the target core is activated and the break event
message is forwarded to the target core.
If the break event is not masked, the target core enters the core C0 state and
the processor enters package C0.
If the break event was due to a memory access or snoop request.
But the platform did not request to keep the processor in a higher package C-
state, the package returns to its previous C-state.
And the platform requests a higher power C-state, the memory access or snoop
request is serviced and the package remains in the higher power C-state.
Table 4-10 shows package C-state resolution for a dual-core processor. Figure 4-4
summarizes package C-state transitions.
Note: If enabled, the package C-state will be C1E if all cores have resolved a core C1 state or higher.
Table 4-10. Coordination of Core Power States at the Package Level
Package C-State
Core 1
C0 C1 C3 C6
Core 0
C0 C0 C0 C0 C0
C1 C0 C1
1
C1
1
C1
1
C3 C0 C1
1
C3 C3
C6 C0 C1
1
C3 C6