maximizing performance through Turbo Boost?

ixfd64 · 2010-12-26, 07:32

I currently have a quad-core laptop in my possession. The processor has a default clock speed of 1.6 GHz and a Turbo Boost of up to 2.8 GHz. If I'm lucky, the Turbo Boost will kick in as soon as I start up the computer, and it will stay in the "boosted" mode all day. Most of the time, however, the Turbo Boost does not activate.

Does anyone know of a good way to take the full advantage of the Turbo Boost feature?

Thanks.

retina · 2010-12-26, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixfd64

Does anyone know of a good way to take the full advantage of the Turbo Boost feature?

The secret is to avoid using all the cores, and to keep the CPU cool at all times. Once the CPU gets warm, or all cores are active, then Turbo Boost will not be available.

CRGreathouse · 2010-12-26, 17:16

It's worth mentioning that 1.8 * 2 > 2.8, so Turbo Boost is only useful if you don't have enough work for two cores.

Commaster · 2010-12-26, 20:11

I'm guessing, that's something like Core-i7 920... In that case, you clock is 2.66, multiplier 20. Turboboost makes multi one up -> 2.8. 1.6 (multi 12) is the result of Intel SpeedStep that lowers the CPU speed to save you some $ on electricity. Everything is adjustable in BIOS. If you're on Windows, try switching the electrical profile to Performance to lower the effect on EIST.

No luck involved here...

In case you overclock over 3.7, you better turn turbo off. (proven by myself too)

More about TurboBoost: 1 core loaded - +2 multi; 2+ cores loaded - +1 multi.

sdbardwick · 2010-12-26, 20:28

More likely the processor is a 720QM
IIRC, you get a partial boost with 2 cores running, full boost with 1 core running.
EDIT: Seems TB is governed by temperature, not necessarily number of cores active; processor will try to maintain temps just below TDP by varying frequency of all cores. Practical effect is that max TB is only achieved with 1 core active.

ixfd64 · 2010-12-27, 04:28

You're right; the processor is indeed an i7-720QM.

Strangely enough, it sometimes activated Turbo Boost even when I'm using all four cores. See this thread for more information.

Commaster · 2010-12-27, 04:56

Anyway.... no "Luck" in here :)
By "using" do you mean "100% load" ?

2010-12-26, 07:32	#1
ixfd64 Bemusing Prompter "Danny" Dec 2002 California 2³×313 Posts	maximizing performance through Turbo Boost? I currently have a quad-core laptop in my possession. The processor has a default clock speed of 1.6 GHz and a Turbo Boost of up to 2.8 GHz. If I'm lucky, the Turbo Boost will kick in as soon as I start up the computer, and it will stay in the "boosted" mode all day. Most of the time, however, the Turbo Boost does not activate. Does anyone know of a good way to take the full advantage of the Turbo Boost feature? Thanks.

2010-12-26, 20:11	#4
Commaster Jun 2010 Kiev, Ukraine 3·19 Posts	I'm guessing, that's something like Core-i7 920... In that case, you clock is 2.66, multiplier 20. Turboboost makes multi one up -> 2.8. 1.6 (multi 12) is the result of Intel SpeedStep that lowers the CPU speed to save you some $ on electricity. Everything is adjustable in BIOS. If you're on Windows, try switching the electrical profile to Performance to lower the effect on EIST. No luck involved here... In case you overclock over 3.7, you better turn turbo off. (proven by myself too) More about TurboBoost: 1 core loaded - +2 multi; 2+ cores loaded - +1 multi. Last fiddled with by Commaster on 2010-12-26 at 20:20

2010-12-26, 20:28	#5
sdbardwick Aug 2002 North San Diego Coun 821 Posts	More likely the processor is a 720QM IIRC, you get a partial boost with 2 cores running, full boost with 1 core running. EDIT: Seems TB is governed by temperature, not necessarily number of cores active; processor will try to maintain temps just below TDP by varying frequency of all cores. Practical effect is that max TB is only achieved with 1 core active. Last fiddled with by sdbardwick on 2010-12-26 at 20:38

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2010-12-26, 17:16	#3
CRGreathouse Aug 2006 2²×3×499 Posts	It's worth mentioning that 1.8 * 2 > 2.8, so Turbo Boost is only useful if you don't have enough work for two cores.

2010-12-27, 04:28	#6
ixfd64 Bemusing Prompter "Danny" Dec 2002 California 100111001000₂ Posts	You're right; the processor is indeed an i7-720QM. Strangely enough, it sometimes activated Turbo Boost even when I'm using all four cores. See this thread for more information.

2010-12-27, 04:56	#7
Commaster Jun 2010 Kiev, Ukraine 71₈ Posts	Anyway.... no "Luck" in here :) By "using" do you mean "100% load" ?