Overview
Certain boxed Intel desktop processors have support for Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology. Consult the Processor Spec Finder to see which processors support Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology. First delivered in Intel mobile and server platforms, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology can provide average power savings depending on system usage and design.
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology allows the system to dynamically adjust processor voltage and core frequency, which can result in decreased average power consumption and decreased average heat production. By decreasing power and heat on Desktop PCs, system builders can (depending on system configurations) potentially lower acoustics, and even develop more innovative small form factor designs. Additionally, this feature can help address power concerns in companies with sites approaching the limits of bounded electrical infrastructures. Combined with existing power saving features, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology can provide an excellent balance between providing power when you need it and conserving it when you don’t
Desktop System Requirements
To take advantaged of Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology, certain requirements must be met
- CPU: An Intel® desktop processor with Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology support is required. Consult the Processor Spec Finder to see which processors support Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology.
- Chipset: A motherboard with one of the following chipsets is currently required to support Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology: Intel® 910, Intel® 915x/925X/XE or Intel® 945x/946x/955X/975, Intel® 965/963 Chipsets.
- Motherboard: The motherboard manufacture’s system board must support dynamic VID. All Intel® desktop boards support dynamic VID. See http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/ for available Intel desktop boards. For all others Contact your motherboard manufacture for specific support for dynamic VID
- BIOS: A BIOS must have support for Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology. For Boxed Intel desktop boards see http://developer.intel.com/design/motherbd/genbios.htm. For all others contact your motherboard manufacture.
- Operating System: An OS that supports Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology is required. Current supporting OSs include:, Microsoft Windows* XP SP2 includes native support for Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology. Linux* support is also available. Contact your OS vendor for more information.
- Software/Drivers: No specific software or driver updates are currently required. However, it is recommended that you always have the latest drivers for your system hardware.
Standard integration procedures should be followed for installing all the various system hardware components. Once all the hardware components have been installed correctly (or if the system is already functional) take the following recommended steps:
- Download and run the latest BIOS update for your motherboard. Check with your motherboard manufacture to ensure their latest BIOS contains support for Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology
- Ensure Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology is enabled in your BIOS. For Intel desktop boards the Intel SpeedStep technology option is under the, “Power,” tab and labeled, “EIST.” Ensure it is set to, “Enabled.”
- Ensure your OS has support for Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology. For Windows* XP SP2 operating systems install Windows XP SP2* if you haven’t already done so.
- Finally Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology must be turned on in the OS. Currently, for Windows* XP SP2 operating systems Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology by default is off. To turn it on do the following:
- Under Control Panel – open Power Options
- Under the Power Schemes pull down menu
- To turn Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology ON select, “Minimal Power Management,” power scheme.
- To turn Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology OFF select, “Always On,” power scheme.
- Under the Power Schemes pull down menu
To verify that Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology is enabled do the following:
- Close all applications and ensure that Windows OS is in idle mode. (Pres Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select the Performance tab. Verify that CPU usage is 0%.
- Right click My Computer and select, “Properties.”
- Under the General tab examine the installed processor and speed. If Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology is enabled, two processor speeds will be listed. The first speed listed is the specified speed of the processor. The second speed is the current operating speed. The second speed will be less then the 1st speed. (See fig. 1) This indicates that Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology has effectively lowered the processor voltage and core frequency, which can (depending on system usage and design) result in decreased average power consumption and decreased average heat production. If Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology is off then both processor speeds will be equal. (See fig. 2) If the processor is not in idle mode, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology can be enabled and both processors speeds can bee equal. If this happens try steps 1-3 again
| Figure 1 (EIST ON): | Figure 2 (EIST OFF): |
Boxed Intel Processor integration procedures http://intel.com/go/integration
Intel desktop board BIOS updates http://developer.intel.com/design/motherbd/genbios.htm
