PowerTOP

Infobox Software
name = PowerTOP



caption =
collapsible =
author = Intel
developer =
released = 2007
latest release version = 1.10
latest release date = June 2008
latest preview version =
latest preview date =
frequently updated =
programming language =
operating system = Linux, Solaris
platform = Intel
size =
language =
status =
genre = Utility
license = GPL
website = [http://www.lesswatts.org/projects/powertop www.lesswatts.org/projects/powertop]

PowerTOP is a software utility designed to measure and explain a computer's electrical power consumption. It was released by Intel in 2007 under the GPLv2 license.

PowerTOP analyzes the programs, device drivers, and kernel options running on a computer based on the Linux operating system, and estimates the power consumption resulting from their use. This information may be used to pinpoint software that results in excessive power use. Many open source and free software programs, such as Mozilla Firefox [ [http://www.lesswatts.org/projects/powertop/known.php#firefox PowerTOP analyzes the Firefox] ] [ [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=380558 Some event waiting in PSM make the CPU wake from idle with no reason] ] , have been patched to reduce their power consumption since the release of PowerTOP. This is particularly useful for laptop computer users who wish to prolong battery life, and data center operators, for whom electrical and cooling costs are a major expenditure.

The original focus was on CPU sleep states, and showing the programs or drivers responsible for "wakeups" which prevent CPUs entering sleep states. A database of known problems automatically provides more user friendly "tips" for specific sources of wakeups. However, it also shows information on CPU frequency scaling. Over time the database has been expanded to include tips on a wide range of power consumption issues.

It is most effective on laptop computers. Laptops are specifically designed to allow power use to be both monitored and controlled. In particular, many laptop computers can measure the rate of battery use (when not connected to mains power). PowerTOP uses this feature to estimate power usage in Watts and battery life. This provides immediate feedback on changes made e.g. disabling wireless networking when not used.

References

See also

* Power management
* Green computing
* LatencyTOP

External links

* [http://www.linuxpowertop.org/powertop.php PowerTOP] : Official website
* [http://www.linux.com/articles/62091 Intel and PowerTOP extend Linux laptop battery life]
* [http://www.lesswatts.org lesswatts.org] Computer Power saving projects on Linux
* [http://opensolaris.org/os/project/tesla/Work/Powertop Powertop for OpenSolaris] , Part of [http://opensolaris.org/os/project/tesla Project Tesla]