Patent ID: 7293181

Claim:
Apparatus comprising: a plurality of processors, wherein the specifications for the processors set forth that each processor be coupled to a separate specified voltage regulator circuit; and a number of said specified voltage regulator circuit(s) coupled to the plurality of processors, wherein the number is less than the plurality; wherein each of said specified voltage regulator circuit(s) is a voltage regulation module (VRM), each VRM being removable in a modularized manner from the plurality of processors, each VRM being replaceable; wherein the plurality of processors includes a first processor and a second processor; wherein the apparatus includes exactly one VRM which is constructed and arranged to connect with and disconnect from the first processor and the second processor via a set of connectors, the exactly one VRM being configured to provide a single operating voltage to the first and second processors which is lower than a combined operating voltage provided by two VRMs to the first and second processors to decrease power dissipation by the first and second processors and increase thermal margin for the first and second processors; and wherein the VRM includes a five bit voltage identification input, the five-bit voltage identification input being connected to and receiving voltage commands from the first processor, while the second processor is isolated from the five-bit voltage identification input to prevent the second processor from providing voltage commands to the VRM.