AMD PowerTune

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AMD PowerTune
AMD PowerTune Technology logo 2014.svg
      Design firm Advanced Micro Devices
      IntroducedDecember 2011
      Type Dynamic frequency scaling

      AMD PowerTune is a series of dynamic frequency scaling technologies built into some AMD GPUs and APUs that allow the clock speed of the processor to be dynamically changed (to different P-states) by software. This allows the processor to meet the instantaneous performance needs of the operation being performed, while minimizing power draw, heat generation and noise avoidance. AMD PowerTune aims to solve thermal design power and performance constraints. [1]

      Contents

      Besides the reduced energy consumption, AMD PowerTune helps to lower the noise levels created by the cooling in desktop computers, and extends battery life in mobile devices. AMD PowerTune is the successor to AMD PowerPlay. [2]

      The firmware for PowerTune is executed on the System Management Unit (SMU), which is a LatticeMico32 core, and was modeled using Matlab. [3]

      Overview

      Architecture of the PowerTune version, that was introduced with GCN1.1-chips, such as the Bonaire AMD PowerTune Bonaire.svg
      Architecture of the PowerTune version, that was introduced with GCN1.1-chips, such as the Bonaire

      AMD PowerTune was introduced in the TeraScale 3 (VLIW4) with Radeon HD 6900 on 15 December 2010 and has been available in different development stages on Radeon- and AMD FirePro-branded products ever since.[ citation needed ]

      Over the years, reviews which document the development of AMD PowerTune have been published by AnandTech. [4] [5] [6] [7]

      An additional technology named AMD ZeroCore Power has been available since the Radeon HD 7000 series, implementing the Graphics Core Next microarchitecture. [8]

      Operating system support

      Support for PowerTune is contained in the Linux kernel device driver amdgpu. Linux AMD graphics stack.svg
      Support for PowerTune is contained in the Linux kernel device driver amdgpu.

      AMD Catalyst is available for Microsoft Windows and Linux and support AMD PowerTune.

      The free and open-source "Radeon" graphics device driver has some support for AMD PowerTune.[ citation needed ]

      See also

      References

      1. ↑ "AMD PowerTune Technology" (PDF). AMD. 23 March 2012.
      2. ↑ "AMD PowerTune vs PowerPlay" (PDF). AMD. 1 December 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
      3. ↑ "AMD x86 SMU firmware analysis". 27 December 2014.
      4. ↑ "Redefining TDP With PowerTune". AnandTech. 15 December 2010. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014.
      5. ↑ "Introducing PowerTune Technology With Boost". AnandTech. 22 June 2012. Archived from the original on 24 June 2012.
      6. ↑ "The New PowerTune: Adding Further States". AnandTech. 22 March 2013. Archived from the original on 24 March 2013.
      7. ↑ "PowerTune: Improved Flexibility & Fan Speed Throttling". AnandTech. 23 October 2014. Archived from the original on 26 October 2013.
      8. ↑ "Managing Idle Power: Introducing ZeroCore Power". AnandTech.com. 22 December 2011. Archived from the original on 7 January 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
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