Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Power Management
Win7 Power Management
Windows Server 2008 R2 –
Reduced Power Consumption might be a reason to consider an upgrade to WS 2008 R2. Windows Server 2008 introduced a 'balanced' power policy, which monitors the utilization level of the processors on the server and dynamically adjusts the processor performance states to limit power to the needs of the workload. Windows Server 2008 R2 enhances this power saving feature by adding CoreParking and expanding on power-oriented Group Policy settings.
CoreParking is an exciting development that allows Windows Server 2008 R2 to constantly track the relative workloads of every logical core in a server relative to all the others. Cores that aren’t being fully utilized can be put into sleepmode until their silicon muscle is required. This capability means a 16-way server with a light workload can turn itself into a 4-way server until workloads suddenly increase and then spin up reserve CPU power in milliseconds.
Notably Active Directory® DomainServices Group Policy in Windows Server 2008 already give administrators a certain amount of control over power management on client PCs. These capabilities are enhanced in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows® 7 to provide even more precise control in more deployment scenarios for even greater potential savings.