Explaining PowerNow!™ Technology

Notebook users want to be able to access their data anytime, anywhere. While performance and features are important purchasing criteria, today's mobile users are also demanding great battery life that will allow them to maximize productivity on the go.

In the past, increased processor performance has often meant increased power consumption and shorter battery life. AMD PowerNow!™ technology is an innovative new solution available on AMD processor-based notebooks that can effectively increase notebook battery life up to 30% , while delivering performance on demand, for the ultimate notebook computing experience.

The Key Benefits of AMD PowerNow! Technology Are:

1. Optimizes battery life
2. Provides performance on demand when required by the application<
3. Allows the processor to dissipate less heat under normal operating conditions, providing a cooler and quieter-running notebook
4. Operates automatically in the background, and has a simple control panel interface to change system settings if desired

How does AMD PowerNow! Technology Work
The premise behind AMD PowerNow! technology is a very simple one. Think about how much power a processor must devote to running a word processing application. Now consider how much power is required to play back a DVD video or play a graphic intensive game on the same system. Are the two tasks equal? No. Some applications require more processing power than others.

AMD PowerNow! technology controls your notebook's level of processor performance automatically, dynamically adjusting the operating frequency and voltage many times per second, according to the task at hand. For example, launching an application requires the immediate attention of the processor. AMD PowerNow! technology makes sure that the processor immediately jumps up to a high frequency and voltage to quickly load the application. Once an application is loaded and the system is waiting for user input, AMD PowerNow! technology instructs the processor to drop in clock speed and voltage until it is needed. By slowing processor speed and voltage when it isn't needed, AMD PowerNow! technology can significantly increase battery life. This is great news for your customers.

AMD PowerNow!™ Technology Operating Modes
Three basic operating modes are provided by AMD PowerNow! technology. Under most conditions, the system can be left in an "automatic mode" where AMD PowerNow! technology works transparently in the background. A simple Windows® control panel interface also allows the user to put the system into a high-performance mode or battery saver mode if required.

Automatic Mode - Simple and Responsive
Enjoy worry-free performance on demand.
AMD PowerNow! technology's Automatic Mode is like having an automatic transmission in your car - the system will do all the work for you. AMD PowerNow! technology driver software works in the background to monitor the system's real-time demand for processing power , adjusting the frequency and voltage of the processor according to the needs of the applications being used. The system can shift through multiple "gears" or processor states between the minimum and maximum, delivering smooth performance. By way of example, when running intensive design applications or games, AMD PowerNow! technology's Automatic Mode will automatically beef up power to deliver seamless multimedia performance. On a notebook playing a DVD movie AMD PowerNow! technology will accelerate the processor to full speed to display a complex scene in vivid detail. Conversely, when running a less intensive application such as Microsoft Excel, Automatic Mode will reduce power consumption to increase battery life.

The only difference the user will see on most applications is significantly longer battery life. Performance will still be responsive, with maximum processor performance being delivered when required, and automatic power savings when possible.

Battery Saver - Maximum Power Savings
Experience maximum battery life
Battery Saver Mode allows the processor to run in its lowest power state, allowing you to achieve maximum battery life on the go. This may be desirable under some usage conditions. For example, if you're on a long plane flight and desire maximum battery life in order to continue working on an important project, Battery Saver Mode is the right choice. It allows you to continue working up to 30 percent longer per battery charge, with acceptable performance for common productivity applications.

High-Performance Mode - Turbo Charged Performance
Running at the highest possible speed
The AMD PowerNow! technology control panel also lets the user put the system into a high-performance mode, where the processor always runs at the maximum frequency offering you maximum system performance at all times during usage.

Control Panel Interface
For many notebook PCs that use the mobile AMD Athlon™ 4 processor or mobile AMD Duron™ processor, AMD PowerNow! technology drivers will be installed at the factory or as an option during the initial system set-up.

If the AMD PowerNow! technology drivers have been installed, a new tab should appear in the Windows® power options control panel, titled "AMD PowerNow! technology".

You can choose any of AMD PowerNow! technology's three operating modes from this control panel.

How does it compare to Intel's SpeedStep technology?

Feature	AMD PowerNow! Technology	Intel SpeedStep Technology
Operating States (CPU voltage / Frequency)	3	2
Automatic Mode	Yes	No
Availability	All price points	High-end only

Intel's SpeedStep technology allows the processor to run at the maximum clock speed when using the AC adapter and at a lower frequency/core voltage when running off of the battery power alone. Users can manually override the battery saver mode and run at the highest frequency; however, this switching does not occur dynamically, as in the middle of programs, rather it happens based on the presence of an external power source. This is where AMD PowerNow! technology separates itself from Intel's SpeedStep. AMD PowerNow! technology actually takes this concept to the next level by allowing the CPU to intelligently and dynamically adjust its operating frequency according to the needs of the tasks that the CPU is performing.

Mobile computing without compromise
Today's notebook users demand performance and mobility. Obviously there are some situations where you need every last bit of performance you can get and others in which you are primarily concerned with battery life.

AMD PowerNow! technology is an innovative answer, delivering performance on demand while optimizing battery usage. When considering your next notebook purchase, look for a system with AMD PowerNow! technology.

* Not all mobile AMD Duron processor-based systems are enabled to support PowerNow! Technology. Check with the system manufacturer for more details.

09/28/2003 DATE THIS PAGE WAS LAST EDITED© Feedback to The WebMaster