Patent ID: 8055477
Filing Date: 2011-11-08
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: retrieving a voltage margin at a benchmark tester that corresponds to a device included in a system, wherein the voltage margin indicates an additional amount of voltage to apply to a nominal voltage that, when added, results in the device operating at a power limit while executing a worst-case power workload; setting an input voltage for the device to a value equal to the sum of the voltage margin and the nominal voltage; in response to setting the input voltage, dynamically benchmark testing the system using the benchmark tester, which includes adjusting a device frequency supplied to the device and the input voltage while ensuring that the device does not exceed the power limit; and in response to benchmark testing the system utilizing the input voltage that is equal to the sum of the voltage margin and the nominal voltage, recording a guaranteed minimum performance boost for the system at the benchmark tester based upon a result of the benchmark testing.