Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
created a power standard called the
Platform Compatibility Guide (PCG)
. The PCG was
marked on most Intel boxed (retail) processors and motherboards introduced from 2004
through 2009. It was designed for system builders to use as an easy way to know the
power requirements of a processor and to ensure that the motherboard can meet those re-
quirements.
The PCG is a two- or three-digit alphanumeric value (for example, 05A), where the first
two digits represent the year the particular specification was introduced, and the optional
third character stands for the market segment. PCG designations in which the third char-
acter is A apply to processors and motherboards that fall in the low-end market (requir-
ing less power), whereas designations whose third character is B apply to processors and
motherboards that fall in the high-end market (requiring more power). Motherboards that
support high-end processors by default also support low-end processors, but not the other
way around. For example, you can install a processor with a PCG specification of 05A in
a motherboard with a PCG specification of 05B, but if you install a 05B processor in a
motherboard rated 05A, power problems will result. In other words, you can always in-
stall a processor with lower power requirements in a higher-power-capable motherboard,
but not the other way around.
Although the PCG figures were specifically intended to apply to processors and mother-
boards,theyalsocanbeusedtospecifyminimumpowersupplyrequirements.
Table18.13
shows the PCG numbers and the power recommendations they prescribe. Intel stopped
using the PCG numbers on processors and motherboards introduced after 2009.
Table 18.13 Intel Platform Compatibility Guide (PCG) +12V Connector Power Recommendations
Choosingapowersupplywiththerequiredminimumoutputonthe+12Vconnectorhelps
to ensure proper operation of the system.
