SpeedStep explained

Intel Enhanced SpeedStep Technology
Designfirm:	Intel
Introduced:	Q1 2005
Type:	Dynamic frequency scaling

Enhanced SpeedStep is a series of dynamic frequency scaling technologies (codenamed Geyserville^[1] and including SpeedStep, SpeedStep II, and SpeedStep III) built into some Intel's microprocessors 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 and heat generation. EIST (SpeedStep III) was introduced in several Prescott 6 series in the first quarter of 2005, namely the Pentium 4 660.^[2] Intel Speed Shift Technology (SST) was introduced in Intel Skylake Processor.^[3]

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology is sometimes abbreviated as EIST. Intel's trademark of "Intel SpeedStep" was canceled due to the trademark being invalidated in 2012.^[4]

Explanation

Running a processor at high clock speeds allows for better performance. However, when the same processor is run at a lower frequency (speed), it generates less heat and consumes less power. In many cases, the core voltage can also be reduced, further reducing power consumption and heat generation. By using SpeedStep, users can select the balance of power conservation and performance that best suits them, or even change the clock speed dynamically as the processor burden changes.

The power consumed by a CPU with a capacitance C, running at frequency f and voltage V is approximately:^[5]

P = C V ^{2} f

For a given processor, C is a fixed value. However, V and f can vary considerably. For example, for a 1.6 GHz Pentium M, the clock frequency can be stepped down in 200 MHz decrements over the range from 1.6 to 0.6 GHz. At the same time, the voltage requirement decreases from 1.484 to 0.956 V. The result is that the power consumption theoretically goes down by a factor of 6.4. In practice, the effect may be smaller because some CPU instructions use less energy per tick of the CPU clock than others. For example, when an operating system is not busy, it tends to issue x86 halt (HLT) instructions, which suspend operation of parts of the CPU for a time period, so it uses less energy per tick of the CPU clock than when executing productive instructions in its normal state. For a given rate of work, a CPU running at a higher clock rate will execute a greater proportion of HLT instructions. The simple equation which relates power, voltage and frequency above also does not take into account the static power consumption of the CPU. This tends not to change with frequency, but does change with temperature and voltage.

Known issues

Microsoft has reported that there may be problems previewing video files when SpeedStep (or the AMD equivalent PowerNow!) is enabled under Windows 2000 or Windows XP.^[6]

Operating system support

• Solaris has supported SpeedStep since OpenSolaris SXDE 9/07.^[7]
• Older versions of Microsoft Windows, Windows 2000 and earlier, need a special driver and dashboard application to access the SpeedStep feature. Intel's website specifically states that such drivers must come from the computer manufacturer; there are no generic drivers supplied by Intel which will enable SpeedStep for older Windows versions if one cannot obtain a manufacturer's driver.^{[8] [9]}
• Under Microsoft Windows XP, SpeedStep support is built into the power management console under the control panel. In Windows XP a user can regulate processor speed indirectly by changing power schemes. The "Home/Office Desk" setting disables SpeedStep on AC power, the "Portable/Laptop" power scheme enables SpeedStep, and the "Max Battery" uses SpeedStep to slow the processor to minimal power levels as the battery weakens.^{[10] [11]} The SpeedStep settings for power schemes, either built-in or custom, cannot be modified from the control panel's GUI, but can be modified using the [[powercfg|powercfg.exe]] command-line utility.^[12]
• The Linux kernel has a subsystem called "cpufreq", tunable by power-scheme and command line, devoted to the control of the operating frequency and voltage of a CPU. Linux runs on Intel, AMD, and other makes of CPU.^{[13] [14]}
• Newer version Windows 10 and Linux kernel support Intel Speed Shift Technology.

In contrast, AMD has supplied and supported drivers for its competing PowerNow! technology that work on Windows 2000, ME, 98, and NT.^{[15] [16]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Larabel . Michael . Michael Larabel . February 16, 2006 . Intel EIST SpeedStep . . August 9, 2010 .
2. Web site: Intel Pentium 4 Processor 660 Supporting HT Technology . ark.intel.com . . 2005 . March 17, 2016 .
3. Web site: Howse . Brett . Examining Intel's New Speed Shift Tech on Skylake: More Responsive Processors . anandtech.com . June 26, 2020 .
4. Web site: Trademark Status & Document Retrieval . tsdr.uspto.gov . April 26, 2020 .
5. Web site: Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology for the Intel Pentium M Processor - White Paper . . March 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150812030010/http://download.intel.com/design/network/papers/30117401.pdf . August 12, 2015 . live . September 1, 2024 .
6. Web site: PRB: Poor Performance When You Preview Video . . https://web.archive.org/web/20140827054313/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318682/EN-US/ . August 27, 2014 .
7. Web site: Introducing Enhanced Intel SpeedStep to Solaris . . March 24, 2008 .
8. Web site: Processors - Update the Driver for Intel SpeedStep Technology . . January 17, 2007 . April 30, 2007 .
9. Web site: Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processors - M - Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology . . July 6, 2006 . April 30, 2007 .
10. Web site: Intel SpeedStep, Windows XP, and confusing Power Profiles . Michael . Chu . March 10, 2009 .
11. Web site: Runtime Power Management . v1.0 . . September 1, 2024 .
12. Web site: Powercfg Command-Line Options . July 25, 2008 . . June 11, 2009 .
13. Web site: Wysocki . Rafael J. . 2017 . CPU Performance Scaling . . September 1, 2024 .
14. Web site: PowerNow! Cool'n'Quiet .
15. Web site: AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology Utilities & Updates . . April 30, 2007 .
16. Web site: AMD Turion 64 Mobile Technology Utilities & Updates . Advanced Micro Devices . April 30, 2007 .