Intel® Turbo Boost Technology is an exciting new features that is built into latest-generation Intel® Nahalem CPUs. It automatically allows CPU cores to run faster than the base operating frequency if it's operating below power, amps, and temperature specification limits.

Any of the following can set the upper limit of Intel® Turbo Boost Technology on a given workload:

• Number of active cores
• Estimated current consumption
• Estimated power consumption
• Processor temperature

When the CPU is operating below these limits and the user's workload demands additional performance, the CPU frequency will dynamically increase by 133 MHz on short and regular intervals until the upper limit is met or the max possible upside for the number of active cores is reached. Conversely, when any of the limits are reached or exceeded, the processor frequency will auto decrease by 133 MHz until the CPU is again operating within limits.