A voltage regulator module (VRM), sometimes called processor power module (PPM), is a buck converter that provides microprocessor and chipset the appropriate supply voltage, converting +3.3 V, +5 V or +12 V to lower voltages required by the devices, allowing devices with different supply voltages be mounted on the same motherboard. On personal computer (PC) systems, the VRM is typically made up of power MOSFET devices.[1]
Voltage regulator module for an IBM Netfinity 7000 M10 server running an Intel Xeon500 MHz processorVoltage regulator module for a Gigabyte Aorus X570 motherboard running on AMD Socket AM4
Most voltage regulator module implementations are soldered onto the motherboard. Some processors, such as Intel Haswell and Ice Lake CPUs, feature some voltage regulation components on the same CPU package, reduce the VRM design of the motherboard; such a design brings certain levels of simplification to complex voltage regulation involving numerous CPU supply voltages and dynamic powering up and down of various areas of a CPU.[2] A voltage regulator integrated on-package or on-die is usually referred to as fully integrated voltage regulator (FIVR) or simply an integrated voltage regulator (IVR).
Voltage regulator module (parts external to the processor's fully integrated voltage regulator) on a computer motherboard, covered with heat sinks
Some voltage regulators provide a fixed supply voltage to the processor, but most of them sense the required supply voltage from the processor, essentially acting as a continuously-variable adjustable regulator. In particular, VRMs that are soldered to the motherboard are supposed to do the sensing, according to the Intel specification.
Modern video cards also use a VRM due to higher power and current requirements. These VRMs may generate a significant amount of heat[5] and require heat sinks separate from the GPU.[6]
Voltage identificationedit
The correct supply voltage and current is communicated by the microprocessor to the VRM at startup via a number of bits called VID (voltage identification definition). In particular, the VRM initially provides a standard supply voltage to the VID logic, which is the part of the processor whose only aim is to then send the VID to the VRM. When the VRM has received the VID identifying the required supply voltage, it starts acting as a voltage regulator, providing the required constant voltage and current supply to the processor.[7]
Instead of having a power supply unit generate some fixed voltage, the CPU uses a small set of digital signals, the VID lines, to instruct an on-board power converter of the desired voltage level. The switch-mode buck converter then adjusts its output accordingly. The flexibility so obtained makes it possible to use the same power supply unit for CPUs with different nominal supply voltages and to reduce power consumption during idle periods by lowering the supply voltage.[8]
For example, a unit with 5-bit VID would output one of at most 32 (25) distinct output voltages. These voltages are usually (but not always) evenly spaced within a given range. Some of the code words may be reserved for special functions such as shutting down the unit, hence a 5-bit VID unit may have fewer than 32 output voltage levels. How the numerical codes map to supply voltages is typically specified in tables provided by component manufacturers. Since 2008 VID comes in 5-, 6- and 8-bit varieties and is mostly applied to power modules outputting between 0.5 V and 3.5 V.
VRM and overclockingedit
The VRMs are essential for overclocking. The quality of a VRM directly impacts the motherboard’s overclocking potential. The same overclocked processor can exhibit noticeable performance differences when paired with different VRMs. The reason for this is that a steady power supply is needed for successful overclocking. When a chip is pushed past its factory settings, that increases the power draw, so the VRM needs to match its output accordingly.[9]
^Harding, Scharon (September 17, 2019). "What Is a MOSFET? A Basic Definition". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
^"Intel's Haswell Takes A Major Step Forward, Integrates Voltage Regulator". hothardware.com. 2013-05-13. Retrieved 2013-11-14.
^ Bob Dobkin, John Hamburger. "Analog Circuit Design Volume Three: Design Note Collection". John Seago. Chapter 16: "2-step voltage regulation improves performance and decreases CPU temperature in portable computers." 2014. p. 37.
^Mike Chin (2004-06-15). "Athlon 64 for Quiet Power". silentpcreview.com. p. 3. Retrieved 2013-12-21. Thermal Design Power (TDP) should be used for processor thermal solution design targets. The TDP is not the maximum power that the processor can dissipate.
^"What is VRM and Why it's an Important Part of the Motherboard?". Retrieved 2021-11-29.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Voltage regulator modules.
"Microprocessor Power Management"
May 08, 2024
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A voltage regulator module VRM sometimes called processor power module PPM is a buck converter that provides microprocessor and chipset the appropriate supply voltage converting 3 3 V 5 V or 12 V to lower voltages required by the devices allowing devices with different supply voltages be mounted on the same motherboard On personal computer PC systems the VRM is typically made up of power MOSFET devices 1 Voltage regulator module for an IBM Netfinity 7000 M10 server running an Intel Xeon 500 MHz processor Voltage regulator module for a Gigabyte Aorus X570 motherboard running on AMD Socket AM4 Contents 1 Overview 2 Voltage identification 3 VRM and overclocking 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksOverview edit nbsp Haswell featured a FIVR Most voltage regulator module implementations are soldered onto the motherboard Some processors such as Intel Haswell and Ice Lake CPUs feature some voltage regulation components on the same CPU package reduce the VRM design of the motherboard such a design brings certain levels of simplification to complex voltage regulation involving numerous CPU supply voltages and dynamic powering up and down of various areas of a CPU 2 A voltage regulator integrated on package or on die is usually referred to as fully integrated voltage regulator FIVR or simply an integrated voltage regulator IVR nbsp Voltage regulator module parts external to the processor s fully integrated voltage regulator on a computer motherboard covered with heat sinks Most modern CPUs require less than 1 5 V 3 as CPU designers tend to use lower CPU core voltages lower voltages help in reducing CPU power dissipation which is often specified through thermal design power TDP that serves as the nominal value for designing CPU cooling systems 4 Some voltage regulators provide a fixed supply voltage to the processor but most of them sense the required supply voltage from the processor essentially acting as a continuously variable adjustable regulator In particular VRMs that are soldered to the motherboard are supposed to do the sensing according to the Intel specification Modern video cards also use a VRM due to higher power and current requirements These VRMs may generate a significant amount of heat 5 and require heat sinks separate from the GPU 6 Voltage identification editThe correct supply voltage and current is communicated by the microprocessor to the VRM at startup via a number of bits called VID voltage identification definition In particular the VRM initially provides a standard supply voltage to the VID logic which is the part of the processor whose only aim is to then send the VID to the VRM When the VRM has received the VID identifying the required supply voltage it starts acting as a voltage regulator providing the required constant voltage and current supply to the processor 7 Instead of having a power supply unit generate some fixed voltage the CPU uses a small set of digital signals the VID lines to instruct an on board power converter of the desired voltage level The switch mode buck converter then adjusts its output accordingly The flexibility so obtained makes it possible to use the same power supply unit for CPUs with different nominal supply voltages and to reduce power consumption during idle periods by lowering the supply voltage 8 For example a unit with 5 bit VID would output one of at most 32 25 distinct output voltages These voltages are usually but not always evenly spaced within a given range Some of the code words may be reserved for special functions such as shutting down the unit hence a 5 bit VID unit may have fewer than 32 output voltage levels How the numerical codes map to supply voltages is typically specified in tables provided by component manufacturers Since 2008 VID comes in 5 6 and 8 bit varieties and is mostly applied to power modules outputting between 0 5 V and 3 5 V VRM and overclocking editThe VRMs are essential for overclocking The quality of a VRM directly impacts the motherboard s overclocking potential The same overclocked processor can exhibit noticeable performance differences when paired with different VRMs The reason for this is that a steady power supply is needed for successful overclocking When a chip is pushed past its factory settings that increases the power draw so the VRM needs to match its output accordingly 9 See also editSwitched mode power supply applications SMPS applications Pulse width modulationReferences edit Harding Scharon September 17 2019 What Is a MOSFET A Basic Definition Tom s Hardware Retrieved 7 November 2019 Intel s Haswell Takes A Major Step Forward Integrates Voltage Regulator hothardware com 2013 05 13 Retrieved 2013 11 14 Bob Dobkin John Hamburger Analog Circuit Design Volume Three Design Note Collection John Seago Chapter 16 2 step voltage regulation improves performance and decreases CPU temperature in portable computers 2014 p 37 Mike Chin 2004 06 15 Athlon 64 for Quiet Power silentpcreview com p 3 Retrieved 2013 12 21 Thermal Design Power TDP should be used for processor thermal solution design targets The TDP is not the maximum power that the processor can dissipate VRM Cooling Graphics Cards Voltage Regulator Modules VRM Explained geeks3d com 2010 Retrieved 2013 11 28 https www intel com content dam www public us en documents design guides voltage regulator module 9 0 dc dc converter guidelines pdf Intel document Voltage Regulator Down VRD 11 0 http www intel com assets pdf designguide 313214 pdf dated November 2006 What is VRM and Why it s an Important Part of the Motherboard Retrieved 2021 11 29 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Voltage regulator modules Microprocessor Power Management Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Voltage regulator module amp oldid 1221913959 FIVR, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
