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Editing voltage regulator module
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=== Doublers === | === Doublers === | ||
[[File:pwd doubler 6 to 12 phase.svg|250px|right]] | [[File:pwd doubler 6 to 12 phase.svg|250px|right]] | ||
− | VRMs are driven by a [[PWM Controller]] that usually comes in either 4, 6, or 8 phases. There are a few rather rare PWMs that go up to 10 but by far the vast majority of PWMs out there are 4 and 6-phase PWMs and are considerably more common than 8 phases. Motherboards offer 12-, 16-, 24- phase VRMs through the | + | VRMs are driven by a [[PWM Controller]] that usually comes in either 4, 6, or 8 phases. There are a few rather rare PWMs that go up to 10 but by far the vast majority of PWMs out there are 4 and 6-phase PWMs and are considerably more common than 8 phases. Motherboards offer 12-, 16-, 24- phase VRMs through the user of '''doublers'''. A [[phase doubler]] doubles the number of phases by generating two interleaved signals that are formed using the original. |
The doubler's switching frequency is halved due to the two signals interleaving. | The doubler's switching frequency is halved due to the two signals interleaving. | ||
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== Less desirable implementations == | == Less desirable implementations == | ||
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== Feedback and regulation == | == Feedback and regulation == | ||
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There are some advantages to this technique such as the fact that it's all done in hardware, therefore reaction time and corrections are considerably faster. It's also cheaper, easier to implement in a correct way, and is generally a simpler circuit overall. | There are some advantages to this technique such as the fact that it's all done in hardware, therefore reaction time and corrections are considerably faster. It's also cheaper, easier to implement in a correct way, and is generally a simpler circuit overall. | ||
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=== Digital === | === Digital === | ||
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In a digital-based circuit, the reference voltage, which is already digital is fed directly to a microcontroller. Like in the analog circuit, the various monitoring feedback values are analog and are thus converted to digital as well using a [[analog-to-digital converter|ADC]]. Unlike the analog circuit, everything is done using a microcontroller that incorporates a [[PID algorithm]]. This microcontroller takes in all the feedback lines, the reference voltage, and perhaps most important to some users, various BIOS settings. The microcontroller typically also has a small amount of memory that can be used to store additional custom settings allowing for higher customization. | In a digital-based circuit, the reference voltage, which is already digital is fed directly to a microcontroller. Like in the analog circuit, the various monitoring feedback values are analog and are thus converted to digital as well using a [[analog-to-digital converter|ADC]]. Unlike the analog circuit, everything is done using a microcontroller that incorporates a [[PID algorithm]]. This microcontroller takes in all the feedback lines, the reference voltage, and perhaps most important to some users, various BIOS settings. The microcontroller typically also has a small amount of memory that can be used to store additional custom settings allowing for higher customization. | ||
− | Generally, a digital-based circuit will be taking into account many more variables that come from various sensors, BIOS settings, and stored values. The microcontroller which implements the [[PID algorithm]] will then | + | Generally, a digital-based circuit will be taking into account many more variables that come from various sensors, BIOS settings, and stored values. The microcontroller which implements the [[PID algorithm]] will then takes all those values and determine exactly how high or low to go without overshooting or undershooting like the analog circuit. |
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− | As the sampling and correction | + | As the sampling and correction continuous, the new signal is calculated based on the previous modifications, resulting in tighter thresholds being reached. The main advantage of using a digital circuit is the large amount of customization freedom and control. In additional to the various protections (e.g., [[over-voltage protection|OVP]], [[over-current protection|OCP]], [[over-temperature protection|OTP]], [[undervoltage protection|UVP]], and [[short circuit protection|SCP]]), advanced controllers can actually control how many phases are turned on and off in order to increase the system efficiency, and other VRM phase-specific configurations (e.g., clocking the individual [[phase doubler|doublers]]). |
There are a number of disadvantages to such digital circuits. In addition to being much more expensive, they also require fairly complex code and algorithms to be implemented in order to be effective. It's also worth pointing out that digital solutions are nowhere near perfect because the sampling rate is [[Nyquist–Shannon sampling theorem|considerably slower than required]] therefore implementing some form of [[dithering]]. | There are a number of disadvantages to such digital circuits. In addition to being much more expensive, they also require fairly complex code and algorithms to be implemented in order to be effective. It's also worth pointing out that digital solutions are nowhere near perfect because the sampling rate is [[Nyquist–Shannon sampling theorem|considerably slower than required]] therefore implementing some form of [[dithering]]. | ||
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: [[File:P6X58D Premium vrm.png|800px]] | : [[File:P6X58D Premium vrm.png|800px]] | ||
− | The easiest thing to spot are the capacitors and the bulky chokes as they surround the processor. Note that on this board the [[MOSFET]]s, which could get fairly | + | The easiest thing to spot are the capacitors and the bulky chokes as they surround the processor. Note that on this board the [[MOSFET]]s, which could get fairly worm on overclocked systems, is situated under the fins of the [[heat pipe]] in order to cool them off passively. Additionally, there's Removing the heat pipe exposes the remaining part of the VRM: |