PowerNow!: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Dynamic frequency scaling technology by AMD}} | {{short description|Dynamic frequency scaling technology by AMD}} | ||
{{Infobox computer hardware | {{Infobox computer hardware | ||
| name | | name = AMD PowerNow! | ||
| logo | | logo = | ||
| image | | image = AMD-PowerNow-logo.svg | ||
| caption | | caption = | ||
| conn1 | | conn1 = | ||
| via1_1 | | via1_1 = | ||
| class-name | | class-name = | ||
| class1 | | class1 = | ||
| manuf1 | | manuf1 = | ||
| designfirm | | designfirm = [[Advanced Micro Devices]] | ||
| manufacturer = | | manufacturer = | ||
| introduced | | introduced = April 2000 | ||
| discontinued = | | discontinued = February 2017 | ||
| type | | type = [[Dynamic frequency scaling]] technology | ||
| connection | | connection = | ||
| ports | | ports = | ||
}} | }} | ||
__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
'''AMD PowerNow!''' | '''AMD PowerNow!''' was [[AMD]]'s [[dynamic frequency scaling]] and power saving technology targeted at mobile and embedded [[Microprocessor|microprocessors]]. It allows for the [[CPU core voltage|core voltage]] and [[Clock rate|frequency]] to be controlled on-the-fly by the host [[operating system]], or [[BIOS]] for [[Embedded system|embedded systems]]. PowerNow! was introduced with AMD's embedded processors using their [[List of AMD K6 processors|K6 architecture]], with the goal to combat the ever-increasing power demands and heat output with [[microprocessors]] at the time.<ref name=":0">https://www.amd.com/content/dam/amd/en/documents/archived-tech-docs/white-papers/24404a.pdf</ref><ref>https://www.amd.com/content/dam/amd/en/documents/archived-tech-docs/datasheets/23542a.pdf</ref> | ||
The technology is | The technology is similar in concept to [[Intel]]'s first generation [[SpeedStep]] technology. However, at the time PowerNow! was released, [[Intel]]'s [[SpeedStep]] only allowed the system to step between two predefined states for [[CPU core voltage|core voltage]] and [[Clock rate|frequency]] (high and low). This is in contrast to [[AMD]]'s implementation which allowed for up to 32 customizable settings for [[CPU core voltage|core voltage]] and [[Clock rate|frequency]], with steps as small as 25 or 50 mV and 33 to 55 MHz respectively. The [[Clock rate|core frequency]] itself can also be controlled independently.<ref name=":0" /><ref>https://www.pctechguide.com/cpu-technology/guide-to-powernow-amds-dynamic-power-management-technology</ref> | ||
Though PowerNow! was originally designed with mobile and [[Embedded system|embedded]] systems in mind, it was adapted for use in [[Desktop computer|desktop]] and [[Server (computing)|server]] applications with the advent of [[Cool'n'Quiet]] and [[Cool'n'Quiet|Optimized Power Management]] respectively. All three of these technologies aimed to complete the same goal for different segments of the market. PowerNow! as a feature was supported on [[AMD]]'s [[Server (computing)|server]] and [[Desktop computer|desktop]] [[Microprocessor|microprocessors]] and were not exclusive to [[Embedded system|embedded]] or mobile systems. It was retired and succeeded by [[AMD]]'s SenseMI's Pure Power feature in 2017 with the introduction of the first generation [[Zen (microarchitecture)|Zen architecture]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cutress |first=Ian |date=March 2, 2017 |title=The AMD Zen and Ryzen 7 Review: A Depp Dive on 1800X, 1700X, and 1700 |url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/11170/the-amd-zen-and-ryzen-7-review-a-deep-dive-on-1800x-1700x-and-1700/11 |url-status=live |access-date=June 28, 2025 |website=AnandTech}}</ref> | |||
==Processors supporting PowerNow!== | ==Processors supporting PowerNow!== | ||
Latest revision as of 03:05, 29 June 2025
Template:Short description Template:Infobox computer hardware
AMD PowerNow! was AMD's dynamic frequency scaling and power saving technology targeted at mobile and embedded microprocessors. It allows for the core voltage and frequency to be controlled on-the-fly by the host operating system, or BIOS for embedded systems. PowerNow! was introduced with AMD's embedded processors using their K6 architecture, with the goal to combat the ever-increasing power demands and heat output with microprocessors at the time.[1][2]
The technology is similar in concept to Intel's first generation SpeedStep technology. However, at the time PowerNow! was released, Intel's SpeedStep only allowed the system to step between two predefined states for core voltage and frequency (high and low). This is in contrast to AMD's implementation which allowed for up to 32 customizable settings for core voltage and frequency, with steps as small as 25 or 50 mV and 33 to 55 MHz respectively. The core frequency itself can also be controlled independently.[1][3]
Though PowerNow! was originally designed with mobile and embedded systems in mind, it was adapted for use in desktop and server applications with the advent of Cool'n'Quiet and Optimized Power Management respectively. All three of these technologies aimed to complete the same goal for different segments of the market. PowerNow! as a feature was supported on AMD's server and desktop microprocessors and were not exclusive to embedded or mobile systems. It was retired and succeeded by AMD's SenseMI's Pure Power feature in 2017 with the introduction of the first generation Zen architecture.[4]
Processors supporting PowerNow!
- K6-2+
- K6-III+
- Athlon XP-M - some models.
- Mobile Athlon 64
- Mobile Sempron
- Turion 64 and X2
- Athlon II
- AMD Accelerated Processing Unit
See also
Power Saving Technologies:
- AMD Cool'n'Quiet (desktop CPUs)
- AMD PowerTune (graphics)
- Intel SpeedStep (CPUs)
Performance Boosting Technologies:
- AMD Turbo Core (CPUs)
- Intel Turbo Boost (CPUs)
References
- ↑ a b https://www.amd.com/content/dam/amd/en/documents/archived-tech-docs/white-papers/24404a.pdf
- ↑ https://www.amd.com/content/dam/amd/en/documents/archived-tech-docs/datasheets/23542a.pdf
- ↑ https://www.pctechguide.com/cpu-technology/guide-to-powernow-amds-dynamic-power-management-technology
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
External links
Template:AMD technology Script error: No such module "Navbox".