Abstract: Profile switching for memory overclocking is described. In accordance with the described techniques, a memory is operated according to a first memory profile. During operation of the memory according to the first memory profile, a request is received to operate the memory according to a second memory profile. Responsive to the request, operation of the memory is switched to operate according to the second memory profile without rebooting. In one or more implementations, at least one of the first memory profile or the second memory profile comprises an overclocking memory profile that configures the memory to operate in an overclocking mode. In one or more implementations, the memory is trained to operate according to the overclocking memory profile prior to operating the memory according to the first memory profile.

Abstract: Stability testing for memory overclocking is described. In accordance with the described techniques, operation of a memory with overclocked memory settings is testing during a boot up process of a computing device. Test results based on the testing are exposed via a user interface. The test results predict a stability of the memory over a subsequent time period if the memory is configured to operate with the overclocked memory settings.

Abstract: An exemplary computing device includes a plurality of circuits and/or a plurality of in-situ monitors configured to generate outputs that indicate one or more operating conditions of the circuits. The computing device also includes a system management unit configured to detect a potentially faulty voltage-to-frequency ratio implemented by one of the circuits based at least in part on one or more of the outputs. The system management unit is also configured to modify the potentially faulty voltage-to-frequency ratio based at least in part on one or more of the outputs. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A disclosed method can include (i) reporting, by a microcontroller, detection of a violation of a physical infrastructure constraint to a machine check architecture, (ii) triggering, by the machine check architecture in response to the reporting, a machine-check exception such that the violation of the physical infrastructure constraint is recorded, and (iii) performing a corrective action based on the triggering of the machine-check exception. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Power management using temperature gradient information is described. In accordance with the described techniques, temperature measurements of a component are obtained from two or more sensors of the component. A temperature of a hotspot of the component is predicted based on the temperature measurements obtained from the two or more sensors of the component. Operation of the component is adjusted based on the predicted temperature of the hotspot.

Abstract: Random access memory (RAM) is attached to an input/output (I/O) controller of a chipset (e.g., on a motherboard). This chipset attached RAM is optionally used as part of a tiered storage solution with other tiers including, for example, nonvolatile memory (e.g., a solid state drive (SSD)) or a hard disk drive. The chipset attached RAM is separate from the system memory, allowing the chipset attached RAM to be used to speed up access to frequently used data stored in the tiered storage solution without reducing the amount of system memory available to an operating system running on the one or more processing units.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses control electrical current supplied to a plurality of processing units in a multi-processor system. A plurality of current usage information corresponding to the processing units are received by a controller to determine a threshold current for each of the processing units. The controller determines a frequency reduction action and an instructions-per-cycle (IPC) reduction action for the each of the processing units based on the threshold current and regulates operations of the processing units based on the determined frequency and IPC reduction actions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses control the clock rate of a processing unit. The methods and apparatus control the clock rate by generating an output clock rate based on the determined frequency adjustment such that the processing unit maintains the overclocking. The methods include: receiving an analog voltage supply in response to detecting overclocking in the processing unit; dynamically sensing measurements of an output voltage from a voltage generator based on the received analog voltage supply; determining characteristics of a voltage droop in the output voltage based on the dynamically sensed output voltage measurements; determining a frequency adjustment for the clock rate of the processing unit based on the determined characteristics of the voltage droop; and generating an output clock rate based on the determined frequency adjustment such that the processing unit maintains the overclocking.

Abstract: Profile switching for memory overclocking is described. In accordance with the described techniques, a memory is operated according to a first memory profile. During operation of the memory according to the first memory profile, a request is received to operate the memory according to a second memory profile. Responsive to the request, operation of the memory is switched to operate according to the second memory profile without rebooting. In one or more implementations, at least one of the first memory profile or the second memory profile comprises an overclocking memory profile that configures the memory to operate in an overclocking mode. In one or more implementations, the memory is trained to operate according to the overclocking memory profile prior to operating the memory according to the first memory profile.

Abstract: Various timing parameter values for a memory system are changed and a workload is run using the changed timing parameter values resulting in workload performance values. The workload is run multiple times with different timing parameter values and the performance values generated by the workload are used to generate and output a performance indication that identifies how sensitive performance of the physical memory is to the one or more timing parameters. The parameter values generated by the workload are optionally used to predict what parameter value the workload would have generated for user selected timing parameter values (e.g., without running the workload).

Abstract: Real time workload-based system adjustment is described. In accordance with the described techniques, a processor and a memory are operated according to first settings associated with a first workload. A second workload configured to utilize the processor and the memory is detected. The second workload is associated with second settings. Responsive to detecting the second workload, operation of the processor and the memory are adjusted to operate according to the second settings without rebooting.

Abstract: Package lids with carveouts configured to expose lights directly connected to an internal component of a processor are described. Lid carveouts are configured to precisely align and mechanically secure a cooling device to the package lid by receiving protrusions of the cooling device via a press fit connection, while maintaining visibility of lights directly connected to processor internal components when the cooling device is connected. Lid carveouts are further configured to expose one or more connectors disposed on a processor surface that supports its internal component. When contacted by corresponding connectors of an auxiliary device, such as a light not integrated into a processor package or a cooling device, the lid carveouts enable direct connections between the package’s internal components and the auxiliary device.

Abstract: User configurable hardware settings for overclocking is described. In accordance with the described techniques, user input to adjust hardware settings for operating a processing unit in an overclocking mode is received. The user input, for example, adjusts at least one of a voltage droop threshold or a frequency adjustment of the clock rate. A voltage droop is detected while operating the processing unit in the overclocking mode. Responsive to detecting the voltage droop, a clock rate of the processing unit is adjusted based at least in part on the adjusted hardware settings.

Abstract: Package lids with carveouts configured for processor connection and alignment are described. Lid carveouts are configured to align and mechanically secure a cooling device to the package lid by receiving protrusions of the cooling device. Because the lid carveouts ensure precise alignment and orientation of a cooling device relative to a package lid, the lid design enables targeted cooling of discrete portions of the lid. Lid carveouts are further configured to expose one or more connectors disposed on a surface that supports package internal components. When contacted by corresponding connectors of a cooling device, the lid carveouts enable direct connections between the package and the attached cooling device. By creating a direct connection between package components and an attached cooling device, the lid carveouts enable a high-speed connection for proactive and on-demand cooling actuation.

Abstract: Core activation and deactivation for a multi-core processor is described. In accordance with the described techniques, a processor having multiple cores operates using a first core configuration. A request to switch from the first core configuration to a second core configuration is received. Responsive to the request, a switch from the first core configuration to the second core configuration occurs by adjusting a number of active cores of the processor without rebooting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing overclocking in a data center includes determining a frequency limit of a first processor of a first server in the data center. The voltage of the first processor is lowered to a stability point, and the frequency is lowered. The first server is tested for stability. Based upon the results of the test, the voltage and frequency modifications are deployed to a second processor of a second server in the data center.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing processor functionality includes receiving, by the processor, data relating to one or more environmental conditions. The processor compares the data to pre-existing parameters to determine whether or not the environmental conditions are within the pre-existing parameters for normal operation. If the data are within the pre-existing parameters for normal operation, the processor is operated in a normal operation mode. If the data are outside the pre-existing parameters for normal operation, the processor operates in a second operation mode which is dynamically determined and calibrated during power-on, boot and operation.

Abstract: Automatic memory overclocking, including: increasing a memory frequency setting for a memory module until a memory stability test fails; determining an overclocked memory frequency setting including a highest memory frequency setting passing the memory stability test; and generating a profile including the overclocked memory frequency setting.

Abstract: A monitoring system predicts voltage droops at a processor by monitoring one or more performance characteristics of the processor, selecting a response policy based on the prediction, and adjusting a parameter of the processor. Multiple predictions of voltage droop conditions at different locations of the processor are made simultaneously, with the processor generating one or more responses and resulting in adjusting one or more parameters of the processor. By predicting voltage droop conditions before they occur, the deleterious effects of such droop conditions can be minimized or avoided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing a time stamp counter (TSC) associated with a processor core in a computer system includes initializing the TSC associated with the processor core by synchronizing the TSC associated with the processor core with at least one other TSC in a hierarchy of TSCs. One or more processor cores are powered down. Upon powering up of the one or more processor cores, the TSC associated with the processor core is synchronized with the at least one other TSC in the hierarchy of TSCs.