Author: Robert Hyatt
Date: 13:52:34 05/27/03
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I'm looking at my linux kernel right now. The SMP kernel defaults to a "poll_idle()" function on this box. It _never_ executes a halt instruction. I'm looking into why this is, but whatever the reason, it is the case on this particular box. More after I finish running thru the scheduler code. The comments suggest this is done because /* * On SMP it's slightly faster (but much more power-consuming!) * to poll the ->need_resched flag instead of waiting for the * cross-CPU IPI to arrive. Use this option with caution. * Note: on pIV systems this actually saves power! */ That last is a strange comment that suggests that a halt burns more power than a poll loop. That doesn't compute in my book, but without a direct citation, I certainly can't contradict it.
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