Replies to post #13885 on Intel Corp (INTC)

[wbmw]

B2L, Re: a variable frequency chip that shifts speed based on CPU load

Actually, it's based on power, not on load. You can get task manager to show 100% CPU usage, and not be anywhere near peak power dissipation. Variable frequency chips are actually quite common these days, between SpeedStep, PowerNow, Cool 'n Quiet, etc, but Foxton is different, because it will actually *increase* the clock frequency of the chip when the code has thermal headroom. Now that's a novel approach.

Re: I can see the benchmarks discussions now!

Don't you mean debates? ;-)

Actually, I don't see a problem with running benchmarks at different frequencies, just as long as the frequency range is clearly defined in the footnotes.