Maximum power specification management feature in Intel Xeon CPUs

Abstract

The drivers for performance improvement across server processor generations such as higher core count, frequency and more parallel processing have a fundamental correlation with the maximum electrical power (PMax) specifications. This specification determines the size of the motherboard power supply, the rack power supply and ultimately the server farm power capacity. Consequently, mechanisms to reduce the impact of PMax on power delivery are extremely valuable. This paper describes a novel, scalable feature in the newest line of Intel Xeon Processors that curbs the rising PMax specifications without any loss in performance.