Patent ID: 7774627

Claim:
A microprocessor capable of dynamically increasing its performance based on its varying operating temperature, the microprocessor comprising: a temperature sensor, configured to monitor an operating temperature of the microprocessor; operating point data, comprising: a first temperature that is the maximum temperature at which the microprocessor will reliably operate at a first frequency and a first voltage; wherein said first frequency is the maximum frequency at which the microprocessor will reliably operate at said first temperature and said first voltage; a second temperature at which the microprocessor will reliably operate at a second frequency and a second voltage; wherein said second frequency is greater than said first frequency; wherein said second temperature is less than said first temperature; wherein the first frequency and first voltage correspond to the highest performance state (P-state) at which system software may request the microprocessor to operate, wherein the second frequency is greater than the first frequency and therefore not requestable by the system software; and a control circuit, coupled to the temperature sensor, configured to cause the microprocessor to operate at said second voltage and said second frequency rather than said first voltage and said first frequency, in response to detecting that while operating at said first voltage and said first frequency the operating temperature dropped below said second temperature.