PL1 / PL2 (power limits)
Intel's power limits: PL1 is the long-term, sustainable consumption (roughly TDP) and PL2 is the higher short-term "boost" power. A timer (Tau) controls how long PL2 may hold before the CPU falls back to PL1.
Mechanic: under load the CPU may draw up to PL2 (much higher than TDP) for Tau seconds for quick response, then is forced down to PL1 for sustainable operation. The problem: motherboard makers often set PL1=PL2 and Tau=infinite → the CPU boosts forever, draws enormous power, and runs hot, which makes comparing "TDP" almost meaningless. This explains why the same CPU can behave completely differently on different motherboards. Deliberately lowering PL1/PL2 is an effective way to tame heat/noise with minimal performance loss. AMD has a corresponding mechanism (PPT). Related to TDP and power limit throttling.