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I just got a new Intel CPU, and the specifications say 3.5GHz but with turbo boost to 3.9GHz. What does Intel Turbo Boost do? From the description it sounds like they are saying "The road's speed limit is 100 km/hr, but if you get to that speed then the new speed limit is 140 km/hr". Why not just set the clock speed to 3.9GHz to start with? So what is Intel Turbo Boost actually doing?
Qwertie
Posted 2014-02-25T05:57:46.390
Reputation: 713
9
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.01 automatically allows processor cores to run faster than the rated operating frequency if they’re operating below power, current, and temperature specification limits. Frequency increases occur in increments of 133 MHz for Nehalem microarchitecture processors and 100 MHz for Sandy/Ivy Bridge microarchitecture processors. When any of the electrical or thermal limits are reached, the operating frequency automatically decreases in decrements of 133 MHz/100 MHz until the processor is again operating within its design limits. 3.5 Ghz in your case is the design limit at which processor can run continuously for long time given the standard cooling is working properly.
Availability and frequency upside of Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 state depends upon a number of factors including, but not limited to the following:
Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 allows the processor to operate at a power level that is higher than its TDP configuration and data sheet specified power for short durations to maximize performance.
links :
Deven
Posted 2014-02-25T05:57:46.390
Reputation: 311
Wait...is that ® used as parody? – neuronet – 2015-04-15T13:52:48.457
No, the ® stands for it being a registered trademark. – Seth – 2017-09-09T12:18:09.923
Related this technique makes use of the same idea as overclocking does, in that the manufacturing process leads to finished items of different 'quality', or bins. In overclocking if you were lucky and got a part that only just failed the next bin, then you could overclock it further. Obviously turbo boost is more refined than this. – cjb110 – 2014-02-25T08:42:50.363
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Turbo boost raises the speed when the CPU is capable of it. Intel would love to guarantee you could run at 3.9GHz all the time, but they can't. The CPU might overheat or the current draw might be higher than the packaging can handle. So they guarantee you 3.5GHz and raise the clock to as much as 3.9GHz when they can.
David Schwartz
Posted 2014-02-25T05:57:46.390
Reputation: 58 310
0
Basically silicon manufacturer rate their processor frequency way less than its actual capability.
Why?
Because when CPU work in maximum frequency for very long time there is a possible chance of damage silicon due to over heat. Enabling Turbo boost will not keep frequency stay in the maximum either they switch to lower frequency when ever either workload is less or cpu is getting heated than its specification.
Pr Mod
Posted 2014-02-25T05:57:46.390
Reputation: 11
2To continue the road analogy, it's like they are saying the road's speed limit is 100 km/h, except if it's 3am and nobody else is around then you can go at 140 km/h - but you have to slow down again as soon as you see another car! – Malvineous – 2015-06-08T07:37:42.893