Abstract: The present invention facilitates processor speed adjustments within acceptable temperature ranges. In one embodiment, a present invention system includes a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the processor. When the temperature sensor senses the processor temperature approaching predetermined levels one or more adjustments are performed. For example, the adjustment can include automatically increasing or decreasing a voltage level in response to crossing a temperature threshold.

Abstract: The present invention performance enhancement and reliability maintenance system and method pushes a processor to its maximized performance capabilities when performing processing intensive tasks (e.g., 3D graphics, etc). For example, a clock speed and voltage are increased until an unacceptable error rate begins to appear in the processing results and then the clock speed and voltage are backed off to the last setting at which excessive errors did not occur, enabling a processor at its full performance potential. The present invention also includes the ability to throttle back settings which facilitates the maintenance of desired reliability standards. The present invention is readily expandable to provide adjustment for a variety of characteristics in response to task performance requirements. For example, a variable speed fan that is software controlled can be adjusted to alter the temperature of the processor in addition to clock frequency and voltage.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates maintenance of processor speed by voltage level adjustment. In one embodiment, a present invention voltage adjustment system includes a speed analysis component that compares an actual speed of a processing unit to a directed speed. If the actual speed is lower than the directed speed, a voltage control component directs offset adjustments in a voltage level of a power signal to the processor. For example, the voltage control component directs an increases in a voltage level of a power signal. The voltage level can be altered to compensate for variations in hardware tolerance variations. In one embodiment of the present invention, a voltage sensor measures the actual voltage of the processing unit.