Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: amd, power, in, a, notebook | Themes: Business Notebooks
- 1. AMD Power In A Notebook: Mobile Athlon XP
- 2. Powernow = The Power You Need, Consistency + Least Possible Energy Use
- 3. Windows XP: Connection Between Energy Diagrams And Powernow
- 4. Test Configuration: Compaq EvoN1015v
- 5. Easy On The Eyes - And The Ears: VGA, Video Output And Sound System
- 6. Synthetic Benchmarks
3. Windows XP: Connection Between Energy Diagrams And Powernow
Thanks to PowerNow!, the Windows XP user hardly needs to worry about the processor's power management - as long as he or she is familiar with the effects of the power scheme settings on the processor's power management.
This is where the switches for the lowest possible energy consumption are set.
Hidden in the individual diagrams are the following power control options, and, therefore, also those controlling the energy use of the mobile Athlon XP:
| Windows XP Power Schemes | AC Power (Frequency Example mobile Athlon XP 1800+) | Battery DC (Frequency Example mobile Athlon XP 1800+) |
|---|---|---|
| Home/Office Desktop | None (1530 MHz Always) | Adaptive (532 <-...-> 1530 MHz) |
| Portable /Laptop | Adaptive (532 <-...-> 1530 MHz) | Adaptive (532 <-...-> 1530 MHz) |
| Presentation | Adaptive (532 <-...-> 1530 MHz) | Degrade (532 MHz) |
| Always On | None (1530 MHz Always) | None (1530 MHz Always) |
| Minimal Power Management | Adaptive (532 <-...-> 1530 MHz) | Adaptive (532 <-...-> 1530 MHz) |
| Maximum Battery | Adaptive (532 <-...-> 1530 MHz) | Degrade (532 MHz) |
As can be seen from the table, the user's best bet is the "Portable/ Laptop" power scheme. This setting guarantees the ideal mix of processing power and energy use, both with battery operation and outlet power.
The ratios are a little different with operating systems that do not completely support the "processor performance state controls" described in the ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) 2.0 specifications. One example of this is Microsoft Windows 2000. In this case, even just to benefit from the processor's PowerNow! features, you must install the PowerNow! applet. This then makes the following options for power/ energy customization available: "Automatic power management;" "Power;" and "Energy Savings." In Windows 2000, the first option should be chosen. The corresponding settings should be made in the system's energy options.
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