Intel Core i7 Processor Extreme Edition I7-965 AT80601000918AA ユーザーズマニュアル

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Datasheet 

A new feature in the Intel Core™ i7 processor Extreme Edition and Intel Core™ i7 
processor is a software readable field in the IA32_TEMPERATURE_TARGET register that 
contains the minimum temperature at which the TCC will be activated and PROCHOT# 
will be asserted. The TCC activation temperature is calibrated on a part-by-part basis 
and normal factory variation may result in the actual TCC activation temperature being 
higher than the value listed in the register. TCC activation temperatures may change 
based on processor stepping, frequency or manufacturing efficiencies.

There is no specified correlation between DTS temperatures and processor case 

temperatures; therefore it is not possible to use this feature to ensure the processor 

case temperature meets the Thermal Profile specifications.

The Adaptive Thermal Monitor feature provides an enhanced method for controlling the 

processor temperature when the processor silicon exceeds the Thermal Control Circuit 

(TCC) activation temperature. Adaptive Thermal Monitor uses TCC activation to reduce 

processor power via a combination of methods. The first method (Frequency/VID 

control, similar to Thermal Monitor 2 (TM2) in previous generation processors) involves 

the processor reducing its operating frequency (via the core ratio multiplier) and input 

voltage (via the VID signals). This combination of lower frequency and VID results in a 

reduction of the processor power consumption. The second method (clock modulation, 

known as Thermal Monitor 1 (TM1) in previous generation processors) reduces power 

consumption by modulating (starting and stopping) the internal processor core clocks. 

The processor intelligently selects the appropriate TCC method to use on a dynamic 

basis. BIOS is not required to select a specific method (as with previous-generation 

processors supporting TM1 or TM2). The temperature at which Adaptive Thermal 

Monitor activates the Thermal Control Circuit is factory calibrated and is not user 

configurable. Snooping and interrupt processing are performed in the normal manner 

while the TCC is active.

When the TCC activation temperature is reached, the processor will initiate TM2 in 

attempt to reduce its temperature. If TM2 is unable to reduce the processor 

temperature then TM1 will be also be activated. TM1 and TM2 will work together (clocks 

will be modulated at the lowest frequency ratio) to reduce power dissipation and 

temperature.

With a properly designed and characterized thermal solution, it is anticipated that the 

TCC would only be activated for very short periods of time when running the most 

power intensive applications. The processor performance impact due to these brief 

periods of TCC activation is expected to be so minor that it would be immeasurable. An 

under-designed thermal solution that is not able to prevent excessive activation of the 

TCC in the anticipated ambient environment may cause a noticeable performance loss, 

and in some cases may result in a T

CASE

 that exceeds the specified maximum 

temperature and may affect the long-term reliability of the processor. In addition, a 

thermal solution that is significantly under-designed may not be capable of cooling the 

processor even when the TCC is active continuously. Refer to the appropriate processor 

Thermal and Mechanical Design Guide (see 

) for information on designing a 

compliant thermal solution.

The Thermal Monitor does not require any additional hardware, software drivers, or 

interrupt handling routines. The following sections provide more details on the different 

TCC mechanisms used by the Intel Core™ i7 processor Extreme Edition and Intel 

Core™ i7 processor.