Intel Turbo Boost is a technology used by the new Nehalem microarchitecture, allowing the individual processor cores to run faster than their base frequency if the circumstances (current power consumption, core temperature) permit.
This technology increases performance in both single and multi-threaded applications. The Turbo Boost technology is activated if the operating system makes a request for maximum performance of the processor (P0 state).
The maximum frequency of Intel Turbo Boost depends on the number of active cores. The number of cores in which the processor actively uses this technology depends on the current workload and the operating environment, providing the necessary performance exactly when you need it and where you need it.
Intel Turbo Boost's top limit depends on the following factors:
When the processor is below these limits and the workload requires increased performance, the CPU frequency dynamically increases by 133MHz in short, regular intervals until the processor reaches its peak limits or the maximum number of active cores.