Apparatus and method to identify the maximum operating frequency of a processor

A method comprising:

• loading a register with a first specified value;
• executing a processing instruction;
• verifying that the returned value in the register logically anded with a second specified value does not equal zero;
• verifying that a value the processing instruction returns is greater than or equal to a third specified value;
• scanning the string in reverse order for at least one specified substring;
• parsing the next digits as a decimal number;
• determining a multiplier value according to the specified substring;
• multiplying the decimal number by the multiplier value to output a maximum operating frequency.

A machine-readable medium that provides instructions, which when executed by a machine, causes the machine to perform operations comprising:

• verifying if a brand string feature is supported on a processor;
• retrieving a brand string;
• retrieving a maximum operating frequency of the processor from the brand string;
• and
• outputting the maximum operating frequency.

A machine-readable medium that provides instructions, which when executed by a machine, causes the machine to perform operations comprising:

• loading a register with a first specified value;
• executing a processing instruction;
• verifying that the returned value in the register logically anded with a second specified value does not equal zero;
• verifying that a value the processing instruction returns is greater than or equal to a third specified value;
• scanning the string in reverse order for at least one specified substring;
• parsing the next digits as a decimal number;
• determining a multiplier value according to the specified substring;
• multiplying the decimal number by the multiplier value to output a maximum operating frequency.

A computer comprising:

• a processor to execute a processing instruction;
• a memory element coupled to the processor;
• input and output facilities coupled to the processor;
• at least one register located within the processor, said at least one register able to contain at least one string;
• said processor to
• execute a processing instruction to interpret a numerical quantity in the at least one register;
• verify at least one processing feature is supported;
• scan the at least one string for a multiplier;
• scan the at least one string for a frequency;
• and
• use the multiplier and frequency to determine a maximum operating frequency.

A processor comprising:

• a first register;
• a second register to store maximum operating frequency information;
• at least one execution unit to execute instructions;
• said processor to
• execute a processing instruction to copy the maximum operating frequency information from the second register to the first register;
• verify at least one feature relating to the maximum operating frequency information is supported;
• scan the maximum operating frequency information in the first register for a multiplier;
• scan the maximum operating frequency information in the first register for a frequency;
• use the multiplier and frequency to determine a maximum operating frequency of the processor.