PowerNow!
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PowerNow! is a feature of AMD's K6-2+, K6-III+, mobile Athlon, and Turion 64 processors used in laptops. The CPU's clock speed and VCore is automatically decreased when the computer is under low load or idle, to save battery power and reduce heat. The lifetime of CPU is also extended because of reduced Electromigration, which is overproportional temperature dependant. The technology is a concept similar to Intel's SpeedStep technology. The adaptation of PowerNow! for AMD's desktop CPUs is called Cool'n'Quiet. Newer Opterons also use an adaptation of PowerNow! called Optimized Power Management.
DRIVER SUPPORT: A noticable difference in driver support is seen between AMD's PowerNow! and Intel's SpeedStep. Intel does not provide drivers for SpeedStep for Windows 2000 and earlier versions. Furthermore, Intel states that such a driver must come from your computer manufacturer.(See SpeedStep page for cites.) There do not appear to be any such 3rd party drivers available for Speedstep and therefore if you cannot get a driver from the manufacturer you will not be able to take advantage of this technology for Windows 2000 and earlier. AMD, however, continues to supply and support drivers for chips using its competing PowerNow! technology that will work on Windows 2000, ME, 98, and NT. [1] [2]
[edit] External links
- AMD PowerNow!
- Central Tweaking Unit by Rob Mueller, allows use of PowerNow!, Framebuffer (MTTR)& Write-Combing for K6-x CPUs
[edit] Notes
- ^ AMD Drivers for Turion 64 X2 including PowerNow!. See [1]
- ^ AMD Drivers for Turion 64 including PowerNow!. See [2]
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CPU power saving technologies
(italics indicate technologies for non-x86 processors) |
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