Overview
Certain boxed Intel® desktop processors have support for Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology. Consult the Product Specifications and Comparisons 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 Product Specifications and Comparisons 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, Intel® 3 Series, Intel® 4 Series, or Intel® 5 Series Chipsets.
- Motherboard: The motherboard manufacture’s system board must support Dynamic Voltage Identification (Dynamic VID). All Intel® desktop boards support Dynamic VID. See http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/dsktpboards for available Intel desktop boards. For all others, contact your motherboard manufacturer for specific support for Dynamic VID.
- BIOS: A BIOS must have support for Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology. For boxed Intel desktop boards, see http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/dsktpboards For all others, contact your motherboard manufacturer.
- Operating system: An OS that supports Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology is required. Current supporting OSs include: Microsoft Windows Vista*, Microsoft Windows* XP SP2 and Microsoft Windows 7*. 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 manufacturer 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, choose one of the following:
- 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.
To verify that Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology is enabled, do the following:
- Close all applications and ensure that Windows OS is in idle mode. Press 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 first speed. (See Figure 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 Figure 2.) If the processor is not in idle mode, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology can be enabled and both processors speeds can be equal. If this happens, try steps 1-3 again.
| Figure 1 (EIST ON): | Figure 2 (EIST OFF): |
For more information visit the following websites:
Boxed Intel Processor integration procedures http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/support/index.htm
Intel desktop board BIOS updates http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/dsktpboards
THIS INFORMATION IS FOR REFERENCE USE ONLY AND IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITH NO WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT, OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. The system builder remains solely responsible for the design, sale and functionality of its product. Please check with the hardware and software product vendors for current and compatibility information regarding specific product models. All products are based on current expectations, and subject to change without notice.