Intel Turbo Power Limits
Description
Each processor has it’s default specs which guarantees a certain core frequency with consideration of specific power consumption range. In this context TDP represents a nominal value (not the maximum power that a CPU can draw under any possible circumstance) for power consumption considering base CPU specs or not considering turbo ranges, for example.
Once your processor is entering turbo ranges, it’s power consumption can go way above specified TDP levels, in which case your termal solution will play an important role defining how long a CPU can operate at higher frequencies and higher power ranges. Every Intel processor defines several power levels. These power levels can be used by OEM or an end user to define how the processor will be operating on the system under certain conditions or operating environment.
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Intel Power Levels
This section will describe power level, and timing controls that can be used to adjust TPL settings
- Power Limit Long or PL1: This power level sets value for long-term steady power consumption. Usually this power level is considered as a steady long term power state or a threshold for average power that will not exceed recommended TDP power. Intel recommends for PL1 to be set in consideration with limits of thermal cooling solution
- Power Limit Short or PL2: this power level sets value for a short term maximum power consumption. Normally, the value for this power level is higher than PL1 and represents maximum power consumption used by the processor under a heavy load. This power level is typically set 25% higher than PL1 by default.
Clamping control for each power limit would permit the processor cores to go below the requested state to meet the power limits.
Each power limit has associated timing variables which defines how long a processor can spend in a specific power state (PL1 or PL2).
- Time limit Long: Sets time limit value for PL1 mode
- Time limit Short: Sets time limit to identify how long the processor can stay in PL2 mode before switching back to PL1.
It is also important to mention that time variable will be disregarded if the processor will encounter other low-level power or frequency limiting events, (thermal or current throttling for example)
Apply Turbo Power Limit settings on application start
One way to apply your Turbo Power Limit setting on the application start is to create a custom profile with preferred modifications and apply this profile on the application start. You can read more about this here: How To Apply Custom Profile Settings On Application Start
NOTE: Once the lock control is set to locked state, all of the turbo power limit settings will become static and un-modifiable until next system reset (restart/deep sleep ). If you are using custom setting profiles on application start and the profile that you are using locks TPL settings, please be sure to disable startup option for this profile prior to restarting the machine in order to unlock your TPL settings (if needed).
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