Turbo Boost Technology in 3rd Generation Microprocessors

Abstract:
Now a days we are all entrenched with computers and almost all of us depended on them, Devices with real time processing and intelligence rules the world, The combination of real time processing and intelligence provides marvelous opportunities for ingenious use of computer technology. But this comes with a price of processing speed .The real time and intelligence application has to process bundles of data in fraction of second. Although designers came with the state of the art hardware architectures like multi core processers(more than 1 CPU on a single chip Eg:dual core, quad core etc)and increasing the clock frequency etc. But they became obsolete with rate of evolution of technology and performance hungry applications. Clock frequency of microprocessors determines how fast the instructions are fetched from memory. In traditional microprocessors the clock frequency of the processors limits the speed of processing. Then how about increasing the clock frequency? The current topic Turbo Boosting concentrates on enhancing processing speed by boosting the processors clock frequency if the operating system or user needs additional performance, which increases the data throughput and then saves energy when he/she doesnt. Turbo Boost can provide (on average) up to a 6% reduction in execution time but can result in an increase in energy consumption up to 16% which would have dissipated as static power due to leakage current. Turbo Boosting doesnt increases the power consumption severely.But processor operates in higher power level that is higher than its rated upper power limit for a shorter duration to maximize the performance. Since processor runs for shorter duration of time on Turbo Boosting it doesnt affects the life of the processor. This is the main advantage of Turbo Boosting. This technology can be used efficiently in multi core processors. Specially for asymmetric multi core processors(AMP) where cores use the same instruction set but their frequency can vary independently and dynamically at runtime. This feature helps in enhancing performance of multithreaded applications. Like internet application, video editing softwares etc. Ex:A quad core processor with base frequency 2.5Ghz and boost frequency of 3.5Ghz running in full throttle. Activating Turbo Boost gives illusion that system is running on approximately 2 quad core processors which obviously increases the speed. The time how long can a processor can be put in Turbo Boost mode is controlled by multiple algorithms operating in parallel to manage current, power, and temperature to maximize performance and energy efficiency which is defined by Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) specification , an open standard supported by all major operating systems.

Turbo Boost is made possible by a processor feature named power gating. Traditionally, an idle processor core consumes zero active power while still dissipating static power due to leakage current. Power gating aims to cut the leakage current as well, thereby further reducing the power consumption of the idle core. The extra power headroom available can be diverted to the active cores to increase their voltage and frequency without violating the power, voltage, and thermal envelope.