AMD adds power management feature to solve Opteron heat problem

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AMD adds power management feature to solve Opteron heat problem [Copy link]

AMD announced on Monday that its Opteron server processor will add PowerNow power management function to help customers reduce electricity and air conditioning costs.

The processor improves performance by increasing power requirements, but it also generates excessive heat, especially in servers used in data centers, where overheating can cause data loss or corruption. To solve this problem, AMD has introduced power-saving technology from notebook computer processors into Opteron processors.

The technology, called PowerNow, has optimized power management functions, allowing the operating system to reduce the processor's execution frequency, further reducing power consumption. The vice president of AMD's server division said that it can save up to 80% of power. AMD's move is also in response to Intel's use of SpeedStep, a power-saving technology for notebook computers, on server processors.

"With less power consumption, you can make thinner and lighter equipment, helping customers reduce operating costs for air conditioning," said Nathan Brookwood, an analyst at Insight 64. "PowerNow should not give AMD any competitive advantage, but it can balance Intel's existing advantages."

Williams said that AMD's Opteron processors, which began shipping in mid-2004, already have PowerNow built in. However, it will not be available until the first half of 2005 because the operating system and BIOS will not be able to support it until then. Williams pointed out that the operating systems that support this technology include Microsoft's Windows and Linux from manufacturers such as Red Hat and Novell.

This technology allows management software to control when to use PowerNow technology. Williams said that the server can be set to turn off the power saving function during peak demand periods, or turn on the power saving function during power outages to preserve the power of the backup battery.