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What Is A VRM (Voltage Regulator

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component, how it works, and why people should not overlook it when choosing
a new motherboard.

What Is A VRM?
A VRM (short for Voltage Regulator Module) is a mini power supply connected to a Type here to search...

microprocessor. Just like the main power supply (SMPS or switched-mode power
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supply) takes 240 or 120 volts from the wall socket and steps it down to DC 12
volts, the motherboard VRM does this second time to provide appropriate voltage
to CPU.

VRM, also called the processor power module, is a DC-to-DC power converter that
steps down the voltage, converting +12 or +5 volts to a much lower voltage
required by the microprocessor.

Most VRMs provide load between 0.5 and 3.5 volts, enabling microprocessors with
di erent supply voltage to be integrated on the same motherboard.

Modern VRMs sense the [varying] required voltage from a processor and adjust
the power supply accordingly. They are soldered onto the motherboard to do the
ʻsensing.ʼ Some GPUs also utilize VRMs due to their high-voltage requirements.
Such VRMs get really hot while doing their task, so they require a heat sink to
dissipate excess heat.

How Does It Work?

The VRM is usually implemented as a switching regulator due to its e iciency.
Although it is just a buck converter that precisely steps down voltages to
appropriate levels, its design is quite complex than a simple circuit.

The VRM is made of three components:

1. MOSFET: A semiconductor device that is widely used for switching and

amplifying electronic signals.
2. Choke (inductor): A passive component that stores energy in a magnetic field
when electric current flows through it.
3. Capacitor: Another passive component that stores electrical energy in an
electric field.

Single-phase VRM circuit

A VRM circuit consists of two MOSFETS (a high-side and a low-side) that serve as
actual switches. When the high-side MOSFET is closed, the inductor builds
magnetic fields (charges up). If the high-side MOSFET remains closed for a
su icient time, the inductor accumulates the full charge, reaching 12 volts (same
as the power supply).

However, the actual purpose of the inductor in a VRM circuit is to keep the voltage
from instantly reaching 12 volts. The rate of change of the voltage depends on the
inductorʼs inductance. A large inductor, for example, with a high inductance will
change the voltage at a relatively slower rate.

When the high-side MOSFET is opened, the magnetic field of the inductor begins
to collapse, producing current, which is fed to the CPU. At the same time, a
sudden voltage spike is generated across the inductive load. To eliminate this
spike, a flyback diode is connected across the inductor.

When the high-side MOSFET is opened, the low side switch is closed. This
configuration allows the current to flow through the low side MOSFET instead of
the diode, enhancing the circuitʼs e iciency.

The aim of the circuit is to deliver the appropriate voltage required by the CPU.
Since most modern microprocessors consume 1.2 volts, the circuit cuts o the
choke charging when the voltage at the inductor reaches 1.2 volts. As soon as this
happens, the voltage starts dropping. A er a certain voltage drop, the circuit again
starts charging up the indicator.

This cycle is repeated again and again via a method called pulse-width
modulation. And thatʼs how the circuit maintains and delivers the appropriate
operating voltage.

Usually, we do not have only two MOSFETs, one inductor, and one capacitor for
the whole CPU system. Most VRMs utilize several MOSFETs, several inductors, and
several capacitors (connected in parallel) to power a microprocessor.

Advantage of Multi-phase VRMs

In a multi-phase VRM, each phase handles a portion of the total current that the
CPU/GPU requires. For example, when a CPU needs 50 amperes, the two-phase
VRM splits the current between two phases. So 25 amperes is transmitted through
the first phase, and the other 25 amperes is transmitted through the second
phase.

This means if you have two power phases, each phase works 50% of the time. And
if you add a third phase, each phase will only work 33% of the time, and so on.

VRM four-phase diagram

The more power phases you have, the more reliable the VRM is. In particular, the
more power phases you add, the cooler each phase runs, and the more power
VRM can put out, providing more stable voltages to the microprocessor.

Cooler operation increases the VRMʼs lifespan and decreases the overheating risk.
Better stability of power for the processor can also reduce the required voltage for
overclocking stability to some extent.

It is important to understand that the quality of VRM cannot be improved by just

adding more power phases. The actual components and their circuit integration
play a major role in determining how much power the VRM can handle and for
how long it can output stable voltage.

A low-quality VRM can degrade a processorʼs performance and limits its ability to
operate under load. It can also result in unexpected shutdowns, especially when
overclocking.

VRM components on the motherboard

Todayʼs VRMs consist of 6, 8, 12, and even 16 phases to provide optimal

performance at reasonable prices. A few manufactures sold VRMs as something
like “6+2” or “8+3.” The value before the plus sign shows the number of phases
dedicated to power a CPU, and the value a er the plus sign shows phases
dedicated to other components such as GPU or RAM.

VRMs are also placed next to the RAM slots on the motherboard. But since RAM
consumes much less power than the processor and only a few people do RAM
overclocking, it is o en ignored.

How Does CPU/GPU Use VRM?

Most VRMs do not produce a fixed voltage. Instead, they get digital signals from
the microprocessor, which instruct them about required (varying) voltage levels.

At startup, VRM provides a predefined voltage to the microprocessor. The

processor then communicates to the VRM through a number of bits known as
Voltage Identification Definition (VID).

Once VRM receives the VID, it decodes the needed supply voltage and starts
operating as a voltage regulator, continuously providing the required power to the
microprocessor. It also minimizes power consumption during ideal intervals by
reducing the supply voltage.

For instance, a unit with 6-bit VID outputs one of 64 (26) distinct output voltages.
These voltages are generally spaced within a specific range. A few numerical keys
are reserved for certain operations, such as restarting the unit. Component
manufactures provide specific tables that specify how these keys map to supply
voltages.

Read: What Exactly Is DDR5 RAM? Features & Availability

How To Look For Good VRM?

Some motherboard manufacturers increase the number of components used in
each power phase, without actually increasing the power phase count. MSIʼs
B450M Mortar and ASUSʼ Z390 Maximus XI Hero are examples of such design.

Some manufacturers claim a higher phase count by just adding a few chokes and
transistors. Although it gives the appearance of more phases, it doesnʼt actually
add any separate phase. ASUSʼ TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, Biostarʼs B450MHC, and
Gigabyteʼs B450 Aorus M are examples of such design.

These tactics are common in the market. Thus it is very di icult to determine the
power phase count by just looking at the number of capacitors and inductors on
the motherboard.

The only correct way to determine the number of power phases is to analyze the
actual component by yourself or seek out an authoritative source that has done
this sort of analysis on the motherboard you are considering.

Donʼt Stress Over VRMs

For typical users, who mostly use their computer for browsing and watching
movies, it is not worth stressing out over the VRM. It is best to focus on the
features and design of a motherboard.

Read: 5 Quantum Processors That Feature New Computing Paradigm

However, users who are running a processor with 16+ cores or trying to break
overclocking records will definitely get the benefit of using high-end VRMs with
over eight power phases.

Written by
Varun Kumar
Varun Kumar is a professional technology and business research analyst
with over 10 years of experience. He primarily focuses on so ware
technologies, business strategies, competitive analysis, and market trends.

Varun received a Master's degree in computer science from GGSIPU

University. To find out about his latest projects, feel free to email him at
[email protected].

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1 comment
Raj
June 22, 2022 at 3:08 pm

Nice article Varun. Itʼs an old one still very well written.
Thanks

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