AMD prepares Linux support for new Low Power CPU core type

[harlan4096]

AMD Linux patch adds Low Power CPU core type for future heterogeneous processors

New core class beyond Performance and Efficiency.



AMD has posted a new Linux kernel patch series that adds support for a Low Power CPU core type. The change applies to AMD heterogeneous processors and expands the existing x86 topology code.

Linux already supports Performance and Efficiency core classifications. AMD’s patch adds a third type, low-power, which can be reported separately instead of being shown as unknown.


Source: Phoronix

The patch also changes how Linux handles boost ratio scaling on AMD and Hygon parts with X86_FEATURE_AMD_HTR_CORES support. In this case, low-power cores use amd_get_highest_perf(), matching the handling already used for efficiency cores.

Different from Zen C

This is not the same as AMD’s existing Zen C approach. Zen C cores use the same ISA as standard Zen cores, but they are designed for higher density and different power-frequency targets. The new Linux patch lists Low Power as a separate core type. That suggests AMD wants the operating system to distinguish these cores from regular Efficiency or dense cores in future heterogeneous designs.

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