SMM
Updated: 04/26/2017 by Computer Hope
Short for System Management Mode, SMM was created by Intel in October 1990 with the Intel 386SL. This process was created for the CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute code from a separate memory area known as SMRAM (System Management RAM). SMRAM is only accessible by the processor, not the operating system or other programs. SMM allows the processor to work transparently with the operating system and other programs to power up or down any hardware devices, to conserve power better when idle.