Notebook processor

The notebook processor, also mobile processor, is a subspecies of processors ( CPUs), which is incorporated primarily in mobile and even in the most energy-efficient computer systems.

General

Technologically Notebook processors usually come from the cores of the desktop processors such as the Intel Pentium family, the AMD Athlon family or PowerPC. But by special selection in the production only chips are used, which can operate with lower core voltage () as normal processors. In addition, functions are activated by which the processor clock can be adjusted to the current power needs of the system and the user. Furthermore, the core voltage is dynamic and extremely fast, eg, between two keystrokes, shut down, which further reduces the power consumption greatly, since the power loss increases as the square of the core voltage. At Intel, this technique is called (enhanced ) SpeedStep, AMD PowerNow! ( similar technology in desktop CPUs called Cool'n'Quiet ), at Transmeta long run or long run 2 and VIA LongHaul or Power Saver. These systems allow the current consumption in sleep mode, even in idle mode, sink and extend the battery life of the notebook considerably. These features and increased production costs, these processors are usually considerably more expensive than the same or higher clocked desktop processors.

Differences to the embedded CPU

Unlike embedded CPUs have notebook processors sufficient computing power for modern computer systems and multimedia and productivity applications (such as video editing or office applications). However, some models are installed in large industrial control systems and POS systems, for example, because of the greater efficiencies.

Embedded CPUs are usually also, other than notebook processors, not x86 or PowerPC models, but are based on architectures such as MIPS or ARM. They are installed in consumer electronics devices such as set- top boxes and PDAs.

Use in other systems

Because of their low power dissipation, and because of the tough price competition of CPU manufacturers now quite low price, notebook processors are also often installed in desktop systems. This is associated with high costs but despite the low power consumption, since the cost of such systems are about 20-30 % higher and this alone pays with lower power consumption is usually not during a typical " computer life". The advantage may especially the lower background noise are due to lower cooling requirements of such systems.

In the Server field notebook processors are often used in blade servers, since the cooling effort decreases greatly. In large data centers, supercomputers and other large computing clusters, the cooling over 30 % of the total energy requirements make. Nor can the packing density and thus increase the computing power per rack. Both lead to greater cost benefits than for desktop systems because servers usually drive more frequently under full load and professional server hardware is naturally more expensive.

Variants

Notebook processors are divided into different classes, some of which massively differ in power and performance.

For some time, the significantly cheaper for the same performance desktop processors were used. Today, this happens only in individual cases, since the few desktop processors that actually offer a performance advantage to have a well over 100W high power consumption. The battery life in such systems is extremely short, if any one battery is installed so that they are only suitable as a desktop replacement.

Most processors in notebooks today are simpler processor families that have been developed for use in notebooks and are equipped with special power-saving features and greatly reduced tensions and so usually consume between 25 and 40W. In very small notebooks use low voltage processors (LV) and ultra-low- voltage processors are used. Although these are generally based on normal notebook processors, but are even more radical optimized at the expense of performance at a low power consumption of less than 10W.

• Processor architecture