tools/power/x86/x86_energy_perf_policy/x86_energy_perf_policy.8

.\"  This page Copyright (C) 2010 Len Brown <len.brown@intel.com>
.\"  Distributed under the GPL, Copyleft 1994.
.TH X86_ENERGY_PERF_POLICY 8
.SH NAME
x86_energy_perf_policy \- read or write MSR_IA32_ENERGY_PERF_BIAS
.SH SYNOPSIS
.ft B
.B x86_energy_perf_policy
.RB [ "\-c cpu" ]
.RB [ "\-v" ]
.RB "\-r"
.br
.B x86_energy_perf_policy
.RB [ "\-c cpu" ]
.RB [ "\-v" ]
.RB 'performance'
.br
.B x86_energy_perf_policy
.RB [ "\-c cpu" ]
.RB [ "\-v" ]
.RB 'normal'
.br
.B x86_energy_perf_policy
.RB [ "\-c cpu" ]
.RB [ "\-v" ]
.RB 'powersave'
.br
.B x86_energy_perf_policy
.RB [ "\-c cpu" ]
.RB [ "\-v" ]
.RB n
.br
.SH DESCRIPTION
\fBx86_energy_perf_policy\fP
allows software to convey
its policy for the relative importance of performance
versus energy savings to the processor.

The processor uses this information in model-specific ways
when it must select trade-offs between performance and
energy efficiency.

This policy hint does not supersede Processor Performance states
(P-states) or CPU Idle power states (C-states), but allows
software to have influence where it would otherwise be unable
to express a preference.

For example, this setting may tell the hardware how
aggressively or conservatively to control frequency
in the "turbo range" above the explicitly OS-controlled
P-state frequency range.  It may also tell the hardware
how aggressively is should enter the OS requested C-states.

Support for this feature is indicated by CPUID.06H.ECX.bit3
per the Intel Architectures Software Developer's Manual.

.SS Options
\fB-c\fP limits operation to a single CPU.
The default is to operate on all CPUs.
Note that MSR_IA32_ENERGY_PERF_BIAS is defined per
logical processor, but that the initial implementations
of the MSR were shared among all processors in each package.
.PP
\fB-v\fP increases verbosity.  By default
x86_energy_perf_policy is silent.
.PP
\fB-r\fP is for "read-only" mode - the unchanged state
is read and displayed.
.PP
.I performance
Set a policy where performance is paramount.
The processor will be unwilling to sacrifice any performance
for the sake of energy saving. This is the hardware default.
.PP
.I normal
Set a policy with a normal balance between performance and energy efficiency.
The processor will tolerate minor performance compromise
for potentially significant energy savings.
This reasonable default for most desktops and servers.
.PP
.I powersave
Set a policy where the processor can accept
a measurable performance hit to maximize energy efficiency.
.PP
.I n
Set MSR_IA32_ENERGY_PERF_BIAS to the specified number.
The range of valid numbers is 0-15, where 0 is maximum
performance and 15 is maximum energy efficiency.

.SH NOTES
.B "x86_energy_perf_policy "
runs only as root.
.SH FILES
.ta
.nf
/dev/cpu/*/msr
.fi

.SH "SEE ALSO"
msr(4)
.PP
.SH AUTHORS
.nf
Written by Len Brown <len.brown@intel.com>