Intel AT80604004881AA User Manual

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Intel® Xeon® Processor 7500 Datasheet, Volume 1
121
Thermal Specifications
When Intel® Thermal Monitor 2 is enabled, and a high temperature situation is 
detected, the Thermal Control Circuit (TCC) will be activated for all processor cores. 
The TCC causes the processor to adjust its operating frequency (via the bus multiplier) 
and input voltage (via the VID signals). This combination of reduced frequency and VID 
results in a reduction to the processor power consumption. The lowest bus multiplier 
for the Intel® Thermal Monitor 2 is 8:1. This results in an operating frequency of 
1066 Mhz
Once the new operating frequency is engaged, the processor will transition to the new 
core operating voltage by issuing a new VID code to the voltage regulator. The voltage 
regulator must support dynamic VID steps in order to support the Intel® Thermal 
Monitor 2. During the voltage change, it will be necessary to transition through multiple 
VID codes to reach the target operating voltage. Each step will be one or two VID table 
entries (see 
). The processor continues to execute instructions during the 
voltage transition. Operation at the lower voltage reduces the power consumption of 
the processor.
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 operating frequency and 
voltage transition back to the normal system operating point. Transition of the VID code 
will occur first, in order to ensure proper operation once the processor reaches its 
normal operating frequency. Refer to 
 for an illustration of this ordering.
The PROCHOT_N signal is asserted when a high-temperature situation is detected, 
regardless of whether Intel® Thermal Monitor 1 or Intel® Thermal Monitor 2 is 
enabled.
6.2.4
On-Demand Mode
The processor provides an auxiliary mechanism that allows system software to force 
the processor to reduce its power consumption. This mechanism is referred to as 
“On-Demand” mode and is distinct from the Intel® Thermal Monitor 1 and Intel® 
Thermal Monitor 2 features. On-Demand mode is intended as a means to reduce 
system level power consumption. Systems utilizing the Intel® Xeon® processor 7500 
series must not rely on software usage of this mechanism to limit the processor 
Figure 6-5. Intel® Thermal Monitor 2 Frequency and Voltage Ordering
Vcc
Temperature
V
NOM
Frequency
Time
f
TM2
f
MAX
T
TM2
V
TM2
T(hysterisis)
Vcc
Temperature
V
NOM
Frequency
Time
f
TM2
f
MAX
T
TM2
V
TM2
T(hysterisis)