Method for increasing the data processing capability of a computer system

A method for dynamically increasing the data processing capability of a computer system while the computer system is operating, wherein the computer system comprises a processor, a memory and a chipset, the processor is connected with the chipset through a processor bus, and the data processing capability of the computer system is classified into a predetermined number of performance enhancing modes, the method comprising:

• enabling a performance enhancing mode controller included in the chipset to control the performance enhancing modes of the computer system;
• detecting a fill level of at least one buffer of the chipset, wherein the at least one buffer buffering data exchanged between the chipset and the processor, the memory, or a peripheral device;
• detecting a temperature level of the processor;
• checking at least one performance enhancing mode transition condition to determine whether to raise the performance enhancing mode of the computer system, wherein the at least one performance enhancing mode transition condition comprises whether the fill level of the at least one buffer is greater than a fill level threshold and whether the temperature level is greater than a temperature threshold;
• asserting a pin of the chipset to suspend the processor from using the processor bus during the transition of the performance enhancing mode of the computer system;
• increasing a working frequency of the processor, a working frequency of the processor bus and a working frequency of the memory when the performance enhancing mode is raised;
• and
• de-asserting the pin of the chipset after the transition of the performance enhancing mode of the computer system;
• wherein the data processing rate of the computer system is further increased when the performance enhancing mode of the computer system is further raised.

A chipset, capable of dynamically increasing the data processing capability of a computer system while the computer system is operating, wherein the computer system comprises a processor, a memory and a chipset, the processor is connected to the chipset through a processor bus, and the data processing capability of the computer system is classified into a predetermined number of performance enhancing modes, the chipset comprising:

• at least one buffer, buffering data exchanged between the chipset and the processor, the memory, or a peripheral device;
• at least one frequency control pin, coupled between the chipset and a system clock synthesizer which controls a working frequency of the processor, a working frequency of the processor bus and a working frequency of the memory;
• and
• a performance enhancing mode controller, coupled to the frequency control pin, for detecting a fill level of the at least one buffer, receiving a temperature level of the processor, checking at least one performance enhancing mode transition condition to determine whether to raise the performance enhancing mode of the computer system, suspending the processor from using the processor bus during the transition of the performance enhancing mode of the computer system, and signaling the system clock synthesizer to increase the working frequencies of the processor, the processor bus, and the memory through the at least one frequency control pin when the performance enhancing mode is raised, wherein the at least one performance enhancing mode transition condition comprises whether the fill level of the at least one buffer is greater than a fill level threshold and whether the temperature level is greater than a temperature threshold;
• wherein the data processing rate of the computer system is further increased when the performance enhancing mode of the computer system is further raised.