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To: fyodor_ who wrote (32242)	3/19/2001 6:14:07 PM
From: jjayxxxx	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 275872

fyo - One thing I am somewhat worried (perhaps _entirely_ groundlessly!) about is some degree "jerkyness" when the CPU switches frequency (this goes for both SpeedStep and PowerNow!). Maybe some latency as well (i.e. similar to when a HD or CDROM spins up - although much shorter, of course). Not very relevant for SpeedStep, unless you are into repetitious plugging and unplugging. ;-) Although, I must admit: until I turned off the SpeedStep notification dialog box, it was VERY jerky. :-) I share your 'jerky' concerns for PowerNow, since it (in theory anyway) could be changing frequency/voltage constantly while in auto mode. As long as it isn't like waiting for a 52x CD-ROM helicopter (TM ptanner?) to power-up it will probably be fine (i.e. unnoticeable). Anyone here ever get a K6-2+ laptop with PowerNow that could enlighten us on the issue? I got my Vaio (PIII w/ SpeedStep) back in November, and I remember that I couldn't find any K6-2's with the PowerNow feature at that time. (I vaguely remember looking at a K6-2+ notebook, but couldn't find any PowerNow or special power settings -- don't remember which make/model.) JJ EDIT: In fact I've often wondered if any notebook makers every actually included the PowerNow feature with the K6-2+ notebooks, since that would likely mean additional work for an end-of-life product (not to mention lower tier).

To: fyodor_ who wrote (32242)	3/19/2001 9:08:55 PM
From: Paul Engel	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 275872

Fyo - Re: "And that's, imho anyway, exactly what it should do. DVD decoding is actually a good example. It really only requires a fraction of what a high-end mobile chip like the 1GHz PIII can deliver. Having the CPU automatically drop down to some lower frequency (and associated voltage), regardless of whether the notebook is plugged in or not, would be very desirable" In reality, DVD decoding (playback) is a disaster with PowerNow technology - because of the requirement to enter a HALT STATE before entering - and exiting - the low power mode: sharkyextreme.com "On the positive side, AMD has their new PowerNow! technology. PowerNow! lowers CPU clock speed and voltage to a certain number of pre-set levels depending on the needed CPU power. The CPU switches between states in the middle of tasks to save power. Unfortunately, the CPU needs to enter a Halt state to switch clock speed and power levels, so in tasks such as playing a DVD, you may see skipping. In an AMD demonstration we saw at the recent Platform 2000 conference, we watched "Lost in Space" skip around like Dorothy on the Yellow Brick Road. According to AMD, PowerNow! dramatically increases battery life, which could make the difference between watching all of "Lost in Space" or only two-thirds of it, but it seems you would have to like skipping video to put up with it. PowerNow! looks much more useful for less intensive applications, such as Office 2000." Your comment "One thing I am somewhat worried (perhaps _entirely_ groundlessly!) about is some degree "jerkyness" when the CPU switches frequency (this goes for both SpeedStep and PowerNow!)." is dead nuts ON for PowerNow!