Method and apparatus for enhancing performance of a processor

A method of enhancing the performance of a variable frequency processor in a computer system, wherein said processor has a specified maximum voltage level and is powered by a digitally controlled supply voltage, said method comprising the steps of:

• applying a digital power supply control value to set said supply voltage to said specified maximum voltage level;
• applying a first digital value to said processor to set a clock rate at which said processor operates to an initial frequency;
• determining if said computer system operates properly when said processor is set at said frequency;
• and
• if said computer system does not operate properly when said processor is set at said initial frequency, applying different digital values to said processor to decrease said clock rate until a maximum clock rate is found at which said processing operates properly;
• and, if said computer system does operate properly when said processor is set at said initial frequency, applying digital values to increase said clock rate until a maximum clock rate is found at which said computer system operates properly.