Re: [PATCH v2] x86/cpu: Enable SD_ASYM_PACKING for PKG domain on systems with AMD preferred cores

From: Borislav Petkov
Date: Tue Dec 03 2024 - 17:20:39 EST


On Tue, Dec 03, 2024 at 04:02:29PM -0600, Mario Limonciello wrote:
> Preferred core classifications are available on "non-heterogenous" designs
> for a few generations. There isn't an indication they're supported which is
> why amd_detect_prefcore() was made.

Not surprised.

> That's already called during the boot either way because that is used
> to identify the boost numerator. The boolean value it finds is cached, and
> the next call will use the cached value. So I don't expect this change
> affects boot speed.

So with this addition, amd_detect_prefcore() would get called *three* times
where you need to call it exactly and only once. And all it gives you a one
bit of information which states that the system has preferred cores.

So why don't you define a synthetic X86_FEATURE:

X86_FEATURE_AMD_PREFERRED_CORES

run this code *once* and *early* enough so that every user can have the result
ready, if you have preferred cores, do

setup_force_cpu_cap(X86_FEATURE_AMD_PREFERRED_CORES)

(it needs to run before alternatives) and then in each user, you do

if (cpu_feature_enabled(X86_FEATURE_AMD_PREFERRED_CORES))
/* do things */

instead of what you have now?

Thx.

--
Regards/Gruss,
Boris.

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