Heuristic clock speed optimizing mechanism and computer system employing the same

Abstract

A microprocessor includes a programmable thermal sensor incorporated on an associated semiconductor die for generating a signal indicative of the temperature of the semiconductor die. The control signal is provided to a frequency synthesizer which controls the frequency of the CPU clock signal. The frequency synthesizer is dynamically controlled such that the frequency of the CPU clock signal is varied to run at an optimal frequency while preventing the microprocessor from overheating. In one embodiment, upon reset of the computer system, the clock frequency is set at an initial frequency. The clock frequency is gradually and incrementally increased until the temperature of the semiconductor die reaches a predetermined threshold. The frequency at which the predetermined temperature threshold was reached is then saved, and the operating frequency is reduced by a certain level. Following a period of time if the temperature of the semiconductor die falls below the predetermined threshold, the frequency of the clock signal is again raised to a predetermined amount below the saved frequency at which the temperature of the semiconductor die reached the predetermined threshold. The frequency of the microprocessor clock signal is then held constant until the predetermined maximum threshold temperature is again reached or until a predetermined time period expires, at which times the frequency of the clock signal may be lower or raised, respectively.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.