Intel® NUC Power Management Information
Content Type: Troubleshooting | Article ID: 000095202 | Last Reviewed: 09/18/2023
Support Knowledge Base
Environment
Operating System
Windows 11* Family, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Windows® 10 family
Description
What is meant by Power Management?
Power management is a set of features that help reduce power consumption by allowing the system to enter into low-power modes. Some of these features can be enabled in BIOS, while others are configurable via the Operating System.
Power Management options available in BIOS
Power management options in the BIOS may vary depending on the Intel® NUC model; however, most products offer the following "pre-configured" power states: Balanced, Low-Power, and Max-Performance. These settings reside within the Power configuration window.
Other configurable power options include:
- Intel Dynamic Power Technology: Configures processor power management features. Setting this off will disable Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology and Intel® Turbo Boost Technology. Three options are available: Energy Efficient Performance, Off and Custom.
- Package Power Limit 1 (Sustained): The power will not exceed the set value. The value should be set so that it is equal to the thermal design power (TDP) and not higher than the thermal solution cooling limits.
- Package Power Limit 2 (Burst Mode): If the value is exceeded, the rapid power-limiting algorithms will attempt to limit any spikes above that value.
- Package Power Time Windows (Tau): An averaging constant used for PL1 exponential weighted moving average (EWMA) power calculation.
- VR Current Limit (ICCmax) (Amps): Intel® Turbo Boost Technology will disengage if the processor operates beyond the set limit.
Under Secondary Power options in the BIOS, you may also find power-related features such as the Deep S4/S5 option.
Operating System related Power Management options or Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)
ACPI is an open standard that allows the operating system to manage/configure the NUC to perform power management.
Resolution
If Power Management is not working as expected, check the following:
- Ensure the Intel NUC and the Operating System support the desired Power Setting.
- Check the BIOS Power options and ensure the desired power setting is properly configured.
- Access the Operating System Power Management options and ensure the Power State is properly configured.
- Check that the 3rd party hardware connected to the Intel NUC supports the desired Power State.