This specification provides register and programming interface definitions for event timer hardware which can be used on Intel® architecture-based personal computers. This specification outlines new timer hardware for system software when generating interrupts for thread schedulers, kernels, and multimedia timer servers. Download the IA-PC High Precision Event Timers (HPET) Specification.¹
It is intended to initially supplement and eventually replace the legacy 8254 Programmable Interval Timer (PIT) and legacy Real Time Clock (RTC) interrupt-driven hardware.
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¹This document is subject to change without any notice, obligation or liability.
This specification is provided "as is" with no warranties whatsoever, including any warranty of merchantability, non-infringement, fitness for any particular purpose, or any warranty otherwise arising out of any proposal, specification or sample.
