Click here

voltage regulator

(n.) A small device or circuit that regulates the voltage fed to the microprocessor. The power supply of most PCs generates power at 5 volts but most microprocessors require a voltage below 3.5 volts. The voltage regulator's job is to reduce the 5 volt signal to the lower voltage required by the microprocessor. Typically, voltage regulators are surrounded by heat sinks because they generate significant heat.

Pentium microprocessors with MMX actually require two voltage regulators -- one for the internal (core) voltage, and one for the I/O drivers at 3.3 volts.

Some voltage regulators, particularly those packaged as a voltage regulator module (VRM), are voltage ID (VID) programmable, which means that the microprocessor can program the voltage regulator to provide the correct voltage during power-up.



Top Terms

Connect with Webopedia

  • The Difference Between Adware & Spyware

    Not technically fitting into either the virus or spam category we have spyware and adware, which are growing concerns for Internet users.

    Read More »

Did You Know? Archive »

  • Quick Reference Archive »