intelpstate

The intelpstate driver is a Linux kernel module that manages CPU frequency scaling for Intel processors. It allows the operating system to dynamically adjust the CPU's clock speed based on system load, aiming to balance performance and power consumption. The driver interacts with the Intel processor's internal power management features, specifically the P-states (Performance States) and C-states (CPU Idle States). By controlling these states, intelpstate can reduce power draw during periods of low activity and increase performance when demand is high.

The driver is typically loaded automatically by the Linux kernel on systems with supported Intel CPUs. Users can influence its behavior through various sysfs parameters. For example, users can select different CPU frequency scaling governors, such as 'performance' which aims to keep the CPU at its highest frequency, or 'powersave' which prioritizes low power consumption. Other governors like 'ondemand' and 'schedutil' offer a balance between performance and power saving.

Troubleshooting intelpstate issues often involves checking kernel logs for relevant messages or ensuring the BIOS settings are not interfering with dynamic frequency scaling. The driver's effectiveness is directly tied to the capabilities of the specific Intel processor and the configuration of the Linux system. Its primary goal is to provide efficient and responsive CPU power management without requiring manual intervention from the user.