Computer Specification Version 5.0
The ENERGY STAR specification for computers was revised on November 14, 2008. The specification includes new performance requirements to qualify for the ENERGY STAR rating for desktop and notebook computers, workstations, integrated computers, small-scale servers, game consoles, and thin clients. This specification went into effect on July 1, 2009.
For more information on the revised specifications, please contact Katharine Kaplan, EPA, at Kaplan.Katharine@epamail.epa.gov. Consumers may visit the ENERGY STAR products pages for information on qualified computers and other office equipment.
Final Computer Verification Testing Requirements
Posted below is the Final Verification Testing Guidelines and Procedures Manual V1.0. Verification testing under the ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Computers Version 5.0 will follow the guidelines contained in this document. Testing will begin no sooner than July 1, 2009 and will commence upon availability of at least three third-party accredited laboratories available to test product configurations. EPA will communicate with partners about the availability of accredited laboratories. Contact Kathleen Vokes, US EPA, at vokes.kathleen@epa.gov, with any questions.
Verification Testing Procedures Manual V1.0 (PDF, 140 KB)
Final Computer Specification, Version 5.0
Cover Memo (PDF, 62 KB)
Final Version 5.0 Computer Specification (PDF, 377 KB)
Draft Final Computer Specification, Version 5.0
Cover Memo (PDF, 49 KB)
Draft Final Specification Version 5.0 (PDF, 479 KB)
Notes on Draft Final Dataset (PDF, 55 KB)
Verification Testing Manual, Draft 2 (PDF, 156 KB)
Draft 3 Computer Specification, Version 5.0
Cover Memo (PDF, 48 KB)
Draft 3 Specification, Version 5.0 (PDF, 466 KB)
Notes on Draft 3 data (PDF, 60 KB)
Low Carbon IT memo (PDF, 24 KB)
Stakeholder Comments on Draft 2
AEA (PDF, 29 KB)
European Union (PDF, 24 KB)
Fujitsu-Siemens_1 (PDF, 41 KB)
Fujitsu-Siemens_2 (PDF, 36 KB)
ITI (PDF, 56 KB)
JEITA (PDF, 159 KB)
Lenovo (PDF, 14 KB)
METI (PDF, 66 KB)
Microsoft (PDF, 13 KB)
Microsoft Data (PDF, 229 KB)
MPC (PDF, 13 KB)
NRDC (PDF, 35 KB)
Sun Microsystems_1 (PDF, 13 KB)
Sun Microsystems_2 (PDF, 28 KB)
UK MTP (PDF, 129 KB)
Meeting Materials from September 26, 2008 Stakeholder Meeting
ENERGY STAR Presentation (PDF, 878 KB)
Action Items (PDF, 34 KB)
ITI Presentation—Desktops (PDF, 50 KB)
ITI Presentation—Notebooks (PDF, 163 KB)
ITI Presentation—Thin Clients (PDF, 25 KB)
ITI Presentation—Workstations (PDF, 13 KB)
Draft 2 Computer Specification, Version 5.0
Computer Draft 2 Specification, Version 5.0 (PDF, 432 KB)
Cover Memo — Draft 2 Computers (PDF, 51 KB)
Notes on Data Analysis — Draft 2 (PDF, 30 KB)
Computer Verification Testing Guidelines and Procedures Manual V1.0 (PDF, 158 KB)
Provisional Idle for Desktop, Integrated Desktop, Notebooks, and Tablet Computers in Version 5.0
ENERGY STAR 4.0 for computers anticipated that the next version of the specification would make use of an Energy Efficiency Performance Assessment tool (EEPA tool) in order to assess the energy efficiency of a desktop or notebook but stated that EPA would continue with provisional Idle requirements in Version 5.0 should the agreed upon EEPA tool not be ready within the available time. As announced in an August 8th stakeholder memorandum, BAPCo membership decided not to submit their EEPA Tool, EEcoMark, to EPA at this time. As such, EPA and its counterparts in the EC are immediately moving forward with the provisional idle plan referenced in the final Version 4.0 Computer specification. As made clear in the Version 4.0 Specification, this provisional idle approach will include revised Idle State levels that, in line with ENERGY STAR guiding principles, recognize top performers in energy efficiency.
Below are two files related to data collection for this effort: a test procedure to collect Idle, Sleep, and Off power levels and a data collection spreadsheet to record this data along with other system characteristics. EPA will consider data received on or before September 4, 2008, when creating proposed levels in Draft 2 of the Version 5.0 Specification in September. Please note that EPA will only consider requests for technology power allowances supported data. EPA expects to adjust Idle category bins used in Version 4.0 based on data shared by September 4. Interested stakeholders are asked to test computers according to the conditions and steps detailed in the test procedure and return completed forms via email to Evan Haines, ICF International, at ehaines@icfi.com.
Test Procedure — DT and NB Categories (PDF, 49 KB)
SAVE THE DATE: Version 5.0 Computer Specification Meeting, Washington, DC — September 26, 2008
On Friday, September 26, 2008, EPA will host a stakeholder meeting in Washington, DC, to discuss the Version 5.0 Computer Specification. At this all-day meeting, EPA intends to discuss the next draft of the specification (scheduled for release in the weeks preceding this meeting), collected data, and other updates. Please RSVP via email to computers@icfi.com.
Data Collection Workstations
The Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC) Workstation benchmark introduced in Draft 1 as the evaluation method for ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 workstations is ready for use by ENERGY STAR stakeholders to collect data. This benchmark is comprised of a series of computational workloads and a software control/measurement harness.
The SPEC Workstation benchmark is being made available to EPA for use in developing the ENERGY STAR requirements for workstations. SPEC has granted EPA and its stakeholders use of its tool for this purpose alone. The tool will be made available upon request to interested stakeholders who agree to submit collected data to EPA. All SPEC members (OEMs, IHVs, etc) can obtain the SPEC Workstation Benchmark from the GWPG/GPC committees. For all others, please contact Evan Haines, ICF International, at ehaines@icfi.com.
Below is a data collection spreadsheet to record collected benchmark data along with other system characteristics. Interested stakeholders are asked to return completed forms along with copies of SPEC datasheets created by the tool via email to Evan Haines, ICF International, at ehaines@icfi.com. EPA will consider data received on or before September 4, 2008, when creating proposed levels in Draft 2 of the Version 5.0 Specification in September.
Data Collection Thin Clients and Small-Scale Servers
EPA is kicking off a second round of data collection for the Thin Client and Small-Scale Server product types. Three files are posted below: the first a unified test procedure for both product groups and individual data collection forms for each product type.
In addition to operational mode power data, the forms request information on product characteristics important to refinement of test conditions and technology-appropriate procedures. The second worksheet of each data collection form contains revised definitions for the two product types being tested.
Stakeholders interested in submitting data to EPA are asked to return completed data collection spreadsheets to Evan Haines, ICF International, at ehaines@icfi.com.
Test Procedure (PDF, 51 KB)
ENERGY STAR Computers Version 5.0: Update Memo - July 10, 2008
On July 10, 2008, EPA forwarded to stakeholders an email with Version 5.0 progress updates and other clarifications. The email and attached materials are posted below. The OM Test Procedure document was revised and interested stakeholders are encouraged to provide comment by July 22, 2008 to Evan Haines, ICF International, at ehaines@icfi.com.
Version 5.0 Update Memo - July 10, 2008 (PDF, 133 KB)
Version 5.0 OM Test Procedure — Draft (PDF, 264 KB)
ENERGY STAR Computers Version 5.0: Comment Response - June 9, 2008
EPA distributed a Comment Response Document to stakeholders on June 9, 2008, to provide feedback received on the Definitions Summary provided to stakeholders in May. This document was intended to organize stakeholder responses for ease of review and provides feedback from EPA where applicable. The document is organized by overall topic (left column) with line number references to the Definitions Summary provided for reference. The rightmost column contains responses, including where follow-up information may be requested.
The Definitions Summary upon which the attached document is based is available on this web page, further below.
Version 5.0 Comment Response — June 9, 2008 (PDF, 84 KB)
ENERGY STAR Computers Version 5.0: Definitions Summary - May 14, 2008
EPA released a Definitions Summary document to stakeholders with the goals of compiling and responding to stakeholder comments on Draft 1 of the Version 5.0 Specification and solidifying definitions in advance of data collection efforts. Changes tracked in this document reflect updates from the Draft 1 text.
Computer Definitions Summary - May 14, 2008 (PDF, 864 KB)
ENERGY STAR Computers Version 5.0 Draft 1: Stakeholder Online Meeting - April 8, 2008
EPA held an online stakeholder meeting to discuss Draft 1 of the Version 5.0 Computer Specification, comments received from stakeholders on this document, and the ENERGY STAR Compliance Testing program. EPA thanks those in attendance for their part in making this a valuable call. Below are materials from this meeting, including text from an action item communication sent after the meeting.
ENERGY STAR Presentation - April 8, 2008 (PDF, 482 KB)
Action Items - Sent April 10, 2008 (PDF, 64 KB)
Stakeholder Comments on Draft 1
AEA (PDF, 43 KB)
AMD (PDF, 151 KB)
CEE (PDF, 138 KB)
Dell (PDF, 274 KB)
Fujitsu Siemens (PDF, 66 KB)
IGEL Technology (PDF, 40 KB)
Intel (PDF, 930 KB)
ITI (PDF, 116 KB)
JEITA (PDF, 25 KB)
METI (PDF, 63 KB)
Oce (PDF, 24 KB)
Sun (PDF, 42 KB)
UK MTP (PDF, 197 KB)
VIA (PDF, 28 KB)
Wyse (PDF, 76 KB)
Draft 1 Computer Specification, Version 5.0
Computer Use Data Collection Procedures (PDF, 348 KB)
Cover Memo (PDF, 53 KB)
Computer Draft 1 Specification, Version 5.0 (PDF, 332 KB)
Stakeholder Comments on Discussion Guide
Delta (PDF, 13 KB)
Fujitsu (PDF, 55 KB)
METI (PDF, 40 KB)
On Semiconductor (PDF, 33 KB)
Sony (PDF, 33 KB)
ENERGY STAR Computers Tier 2: Stakeholder Online Meeting - December 6, 2007
EPA held an online stakeholder meeting to discuss key topics related to the Tier 2 specification development process on December 6, 2007. EPA thanks those in attendance for their thoughts and questions during the discussion.
ENERGY STAR Computers Tier 2 Online Stakeholder Meeting - Agenda (PDF, 27 KB)
ENERGY STAR Computers Tier 2 Online Stakeholder Meeting - Presentation (PDF, 168 KB)
ENERGY STAR Computers Tier 2: Discussion Guide
This Tier 2 Discussion Guide for Computers is intended to provide information on the Tier 2 ENERGY STAR Specification effort, introduce topics for consideration, and encourage stakeholder input.
Please contact Katharine Kaplan, EPA, at Kaplan.Katharine@epamail.epa.gov, or Evan Haines, ICF International, at ehaines@icfi.com, with questions.
ENERGY STAR Computers Tier 2 Discussion Guide - November 9, 2007 (PDF, 154 KB)
Computer Performance and Energy Assessment Tool Stakeholder Meeting, June 20, 2007, Washington, D.C.
Agenda (PDF, 39 KB)
Attendee List (PDF, 62 KB)
ENERGY STAR Plans for Utilizing an Energy and Performance Assessment Tool for Tier 2 Computer Specification (PDF, 45 KB)
ECMA/BAPCo Status Presentation (PDF, 734 KB)
ENERGY STAR Initial Proposed Approaches for Products Not Covered in the Benchmark (PDF, 58 KB)
Tier 2 Network-related Requirements (PDF, 93 KB)
Memorandums
Memorandum - Computer Families 11/20/07 (PDF, 53 KB)
Clarification Memo - Tier 2 Timeline 11/8/07 (PDF, 50 KB)
Clarification Memo - 11/27/06 (PDF, 55 KB)
ENERGY STAR System Implementation
Intel/EPA Guidance on Implementing Power Management (PDF, 1.5 MB)
Applicable Specifications:
Electronics and Office Equipment: Computers (PDF, 377 KB)