Phenom 9x00 TLB fix disabler

Shadow3k · #1 03-05-2009, 09:52 PM

Hello,

If you cant disable TLB fix in BIOS there is another way to do it - modify kernel and disable TLB fix on start up.

If you dont know what TLB is here is copy&paste from wikipedia:
"Translation Lookaside Buffer (TLB) Error in Original Phenoms
Before Phenom's release, a flaw was discovered in the translation lookaside buffer that could cause a system lock-up in rare circumstances. Phenom processors up to and including stepping "B2" and "BA" are affected by this bug. BIOS and software workarounds disable the TLB, and typically incur a performance penalty of at least 10%. This penalty was not accounted for in pre-release previews of Phenom, hence the performance of early Phenoms delivered to customers is expected to be less than the preview benchmarks. "B3" stepping Phenom processors were released March 27, 2008 without the TLB bug and with "xx50" model numbers."

So what we do it just disable a workarounds and get original Phenom perfomance back. BUT IT COULD CAUSE SYSTEM LOCK-UP IN RARE CIRCUMSTANCES.

More detailed information about errdata an workarounds is available here:
AMD Phenom CPU errata and workarounds (TLB fix in detail) http://translate.google.com/translat...istory_state0=

So by disabling TLB fix we get a perfomance boost on affected by bug systems:

Voodoo kernel, without modification (TLB fix enabled - system is stable):

Xbench score is 138.41

Voodoo kernel, with few more line (below) (TLB fix disabled - full Phenom perfomance!)

Xbench score is 179.63

30% increase in perfomance according to xbench

p.s. benchmarked without HDD testing.

Code:

#define PHENOM_MSR_HWCR 0xc0010015
#define PHENOM_MSR_BU_CFG 0xc0011023

static void
phenom_tlbfix_disable(void)
{
uint32_t lo;
uint32_t hi;
/*
* Phenom 9x00:
* Disable TLB fix for perfomance.
* To workarounds for errata 254, 298 and 309 to disable
*/

if (cpuid_family() == 16 )
{
rdmsr(PHENOM_MSR_HWCR, lo, hi);
wrmsr (PHENOM_MSR_HWCR, 0x01000010,hi);
rdmsr(PHENOM_MSR_BU_CFG, lo, hi);
wrmsr (PHENOM_MSR_BU_CFG, 0x00000020, hi);
printf("TLB FIX disabled! Phenom at full speed!\n");
}
}

Currently i placed function call in mtrr_update_action procedure of mtrr.c to unfix all cores at start up. If you know a better place for patching MSR send me a message.

Voodoo kernel compiled with Phenom TLB fix disabler code: http://rapidshare.com/files/206029294/mach_kernel.tlb

LawlessPPC · #2 03-06-2009, 01:06 AM

ill tell you what shadow you dont make many posts but the one you do really seem to count. The thing is I'm not sure what you mean by TLB is this for cpu throttling? Looks like im gonna have to investigate!!!!

Can you put your full results in hardware forum there a sticky at top of page may be some intels to compare against?

Shadow3k · #3 03-06-2009, 09:06 AM

"Translation Lookaside Buffer (TLB) Error in Original Phenoms
Before Phenom's release, a flaw was discovered in the translation lookaside buffer that could cause a system lock-up in rare circumstances. Phenom processors up to and including stepping "B2" and "BA" are affected by this bug. BIOS and software workarounds disable the TLB, and typically incur a performance penalty of at least 10%. This penalty was not accounted for in pre-release previews of Phenom, hence the performance of early Phenoms delivered to customers is expected to be less than the preview benchmarks. "B3" stepping Phenom processors were released March 27, 2008 without the TLB bug and with "xx50" model numbers." (from wiki)

So what we do it just disable a workarounds and get original Phenom perfomance back. BUT IT COULD CAUSE SYSTEM LOCK-UP IN RARE CIRCUMSTANCES.

But we running a hack dont we?

AMD Phenom CPU errata and workarounds (TLB fix in detail) http://translate.google.com/translat...istory_state0=

Modified kernel uploaded, link in first post.

bhokuto · #4 12-28-2009, 08:50 PM

Hi, Greetings Shadow

I have a Phenom X3 8400

I am using one on Windows which I use using in conjunction with CPU something I forgot the name of the program.

Will your's work or do I have to make a change? Because technically and X3 has four cores with last one disabled.

This is my very first Mac and I just installed it for the umpteenth time this week getting things in order.

Thanks
Stu

Shadow3k · #5 01-03-2010, 08:53 PM

Just download to / , boot up with mach_kernel.tlb and benchmark. Patch is placed in place where it runs on each available core. No difference X4 or X3.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhokuto

Hi, Greetings Shadow

I have a Phenom X3 8400

I am using one on Windows which I use using in conjunction with CPU something I forgot the name of the program.

Will your's work or do I have to make a change? Because technically and X3 has four cores with last one disabled.

This is my very first Mac and I just installed it for the umpteenth time this week getting things in order.

Thanks
Stu