CPU Throttling and PMSET

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CPU Throttling and PMSET

Hi,

I have installed Windows on my MacBook Pro and used powercfg to disable CPU throttling and run the CPU at it's MAX Frequency. It works! The CPU runs at 2.6GHz and no throttling is done.

In OS X on the same Mac, I don't have the option to set the CPU speed in Energy Saver System Preferences as some other folks do! All I have is:
*Better Energy Savings*
Normal
*Better Performance*
I have tried all the above options and all of them throttles the CPU. I don't get 2.6GHz all the time. If you ask me why I need 2.6GHz? well for lab testing.
So I decided to try PMSET
I used *PMSET -a reduce 0 slower 0 dps 0*
Yet, OS X throttles the CPU.

My question is:
*How can I disable CPU throttling in OS X?*

Otherwise, I'm gonna have to use Windows which I really don't like. But if there is no solution to this in OS X, well I guess Microsoft is better than Apple when it comes to CPU utilization!

Thanks!

MacBook Pro 17", Mac OS X (10.5.5), 4GB RAM/4MB L2 Cache

Posted on Dec 4, 2008 11:06 AM

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Answer 1

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Dec 4, 2008 3:04 PM in response to MaJeD

I see nothing in pmset WRT a slower option. That might be hosing up the other two settings.

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Answer 2

MaJeD Author

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Dec 4, 2008 3:27 PM in response to baltwo

Thanks for reply.
I know, slower is not there, but even without it
pmset -a reduce 0 dps 0
still throttles the CPU!
Thanks

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Answer 3

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Dec 4, 2008 3:34 PM in response to MaJeD

Then, I can't help, since I don't suppress throttling, just let the machine do its thing. Good luck finding a solution.

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Answer 4

MaJeD Author

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Dec 4, 2008 3:38 PM in response to baltwo

Thanks for your help!
This really *****! I need the full CPU power to do some lab testing!
Darn it, for once *Microsoft Windows is much better than Apple OS X*!
What's the point of buying Macs and running Windows on them? But I find myself forced to do so if OS X is going to throttle my CPU no matter what the power settings are!

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Answer 5

MaJeD Author

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Dec 4, 2008 4:17 PM in response to MaJeD

Called Apple support! Hmm They want to sell me AppleCare phone support!!!
I've got no problem with my system, your OS X just does not work while MS Windows does!!!

Don't accused me of being MS Windows fan, I actually don't like Windows at all! I just paid for 2.6GHz and I want 2.6GHz! On MacBook/MacBook Pro: OS X throttles between 800MHz - 2.6GHz freq. However, with Windows I can set this using powercfg command.
It seems:
On OS X: OS X is in control
On Windows: I'm in control

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Answer 6

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Dec 4, 2008 4:32 PM in response to MaJeD

Well, rather than ranting, post your query to the Unix forum under OS X Technologies where someone might be able to lend a hand. As I noted previously, I don't worry about processor speeds.

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