Intel BX80646I34130, BX80646I74770 Clock Modulation, Immediate Transition to Combined TM1 and TM2

December 2013 Order No.: 328897-004

Processor—Thermal Management

after 1 ms the processor is still too hot (the temperature has not dropped below the TCC activation point, DTS still = 0 and PROCHOT is still active), then a second frequency and voltage transition will take place. This sequence of temperature checking and frequency and voltage reduction will continue until either the minimum frequency has been reached or the processor temperature has dropped below the TCC activation point.

If the processor temperature remains above the TCC activation point even after the minimum frequency has been reached, then clock modulation (described below) at that minimum frequency will be initiated.

There is no end user software or hardware mechanism to initiate this automated TCC activation behavior.

A small amount of hysteresis has been included to prevent rapid active/inactive transitions of the TCC when the processor temperature is near the TCC activation temperature. Once the temperature has dropped below the trip temperature and the hysteresis timer has expired, the operating frequency and voltage transition back to the normal system operating point using the intermediate VID/frequency points. Transition of the VID code will occur first, to insure proper operation as the frequency is increased.

Clock Modulation

Clock modulation is a second method of thermal control available to the processor. Clock modulation is performed by rapidly turning the clocks off and on at a duty cycle that should reduce power dissipation by about 50% (typically a 30–50% duty cycle). Clocks often will not be off for more than 32 microseconds when the TCC is active. Cycle times are independent of processor frequency. The duty cycle for the TCC, when activated by the Thermal Monitor, is factory configured and cannot be modified.

It is possible for software to initiate clock modulation with configurable duty cycles.

A small amount of hysteresis has been included to prevent rapid active/inactive transitions of the TCC when the processor temperature is near its maximum operating temperature. Once the temperature has dropped below the maximum operating temperature and the hysteresis timer has expired, the TCC goes inactive and clock modulation ceases.

Immediate Transition to Combined TM1 and TM2

When the TCC is activated, the processor will sequentially step down the ratio multipliers and VIDs in an attempt to reduce the silicon temperature. If the temperature continues to increase and exceeds the TCC activation temperature by approximately 5 °C before the lowest ratio/VID combination has been reached, the processor will immediately transition to the combined TM1/TM2 condition. The processor remains in this state until the temperature has dropped below the TCC activation point. Once below the TCC activation temperature, TM1 will be discontinued and TM2 will be exited by stepping up to the appropriate ratio/VID state.

Critical Temperature Flag

If TM2 is unable to reduce the processor temperature, then TM1 will be also be activated. TM1 and TM2 will then work together to reduce power dissipation and temperature. It is expected that only a catastrophic thermal solution failure would create a situation where both TM1 and TM2 are active.

Desktop 4th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Family, Desktop Intel® Pentium® Processor Family, and Desktop Intel® Celeron® Processor Family

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