SpeedStep technology

Speedstep technology is a feature that reduces processor's power consumption by lowering operating frequency and core voltage when a mobile computer system is operating on battery power. When the computer system is connected to AC, the CPU runs in High frequency mode - this is a standard operating mode of the CPU that provides maximum performance. When the mobile PC switches to battery power the CPU is automatically switched to Low frequency mode, also called battery-optimized mode. In this mode the CPU runs at lower frequency and lower core voltage. When maximum performance is needed, a user can instruct the CPU to switch back to high frequency mode.

Better version of the SpeedStep technology, called Enhanced SpeedStep technology, allows the CPU to switch automatically between low- and high-frequency modes when the system works on battery power.

SpeedStep technology was implemented in Intel microprocessors.