MacBook throttle down from Bad Battery

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MacBook throttle down from Bad Battery

Hi. I have a 2006 MacBook 2.0Ghz Core Duo.

Is a nearly dead battery the same as running the computer without a battery at all on AC in regards to CPU throttle down?

From what I have read, if only the AC is used and the battery is removed, the CPU will throttle down to 1 core. That's fine and makes sense to me. However, does the computer do the same thing if the battery is in but barely holding a charge (does OSX throttledown if battery is un/detected?) The battery meter still shows a charge of 100%, and I only get about 10 minutes max on battery power before it abruptly shuts off.

I use the computer for Aperture 3 and am plugged in 95% of the time. However I was just curious if this battery issue does affect the performance the same as no battery at all.

Thanks!

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Feb 16, 2010 2:37 PM

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Answer 1

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

Feb 16, 2010 2:58 PM in response to vine2winesd

As I understand it, the computer would only throttle down if the battery isn't present or is undetected.

Have you noticed any performance issues?

~Lyssa

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Answer 2

vine2winesd Author

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Feb 16, 2010 8:32 PM in response to Lyssa

Hi. Thanks for the reply.

I haven't "noticed" any performance changes but then again this has been a year since the battery has been in this condition. I have been using Aperture for just as long so its tough to tell. I am also using an application called "Menu Meters" which helps determine if both cores are running and at what percentage. They both seem to be metering.

This was just out of curiosity....

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Answer 3

vine2winesd Author

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Feb 16, 2010 8:36 PM in response to vine2winesd

Actually. For kicks I just pulled the battery out, restarted the comp and this menu meters application is still showing dual core measurements. Weird...

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Answer 4

Gradii

Level 1

15 points

Feb 22, 2010 4:53 AM in response to vine2winesd

I'm having a similar problem. If the battery is undetected, your computer's CPU will downclock itself to around half its normal speed. Interestingly, all diagnostic tools will continue to say it is fine (System Profiler, the like), but the proof is in games. Try playing a recent-ish 3D game that would be playable normally, and you'll find yourself getting (much) lower framerates than usual. Try taking it to the Apple Store.

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Answer 5

vine2winesd Author

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Mar 2, 2010 9:34 AM in response to Gradii

I have ordered another battery and waiting for it any day now.

My question was more along the lines of how dynamic is the PMU in the MacBook when it comes to the battery. Like is it that black and white between no battery and battery to see the performance decrease? My battery is total fail, and it shows this in the battery meter on 10.6. Because of this, is the PMU throttling down knowing that the battery is fail?

Guess I will find out when the battery comes....

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