MBA2012 cpu multiplier wrong and no turbo boost in Windows7

Using VMWare is a workaround. But it is not an option for people like myself who use Windows exclusively.

The scripted MSR edit using RW-Everything, in combination with using Windows's Task Scheduler to make the script run after boot or wake from sleep, is a pretty effective workaround for me.

Now the my i7 throttles up to 3.2GHz when needed, and steps down when idle, just like it should. Windows is still controlling the speedstep, as it should.

However that being said, the real solution to this is for Apple to fix the EFI.

I completely agree that using VMWare is a workaround, and I was originally going to phrase my post as "my current workaround is...". However, it's working so well for me that I don't think I would switch back to Bootcamp even if the issue gets fixed.

So it's a solution for me, but you are 100% correct that this IS a serious bug that really needs to be addressed by Apple as soon as possible. Just because I'm happy with my setup doesn't mean that it will work for everyone. Considering the $$ we spent for these things we should have the option to use them the way we want without having to use workarounds.

John

I use Windows VMs in Parallels for basic Windows stuff (MS Project, MS Access etc.) but its really not up to the job if you want to really push Windows especially for the obvious thing most Mac users are prepared to sully themselves with using Windows for - i.e. GAMES!

hey harc0r3 ,

I find your workaround solution very helpful , I'm trying really hard to follow your guide but I'm not a computer tech with this kind of things, could you please do a simple explanation :S

I've already downloaded the program but I fail to understand how to create the script text file and then the batch file , I got lost ...

Sorry for the trouble man , I have the MBA 11.6 i7/8gb/128gb and I need the turbo boost on my windows bootcamp cuz that is where I do the heavy stuff !!!

Thank You,

mazhorka

If I had the time, I would have liked to have put up a short guide with downloads and screenshots. Unfortunately, no time to do that right now.

In Windows, you can create new text files by right-clicking, then New > Text Document.

After you create the file with the correct text, then you have to rename the extension to the correct types.

I'm planning to order an i7 Air.

Any news on a fix by Apple? Do you think it is worth waiting or looking into another product? I need that extra power and I cannot really accept the proposed workarounds..

Thank you.

Alberto

@Alberto_vr - not to my knowledge, I love my MBA but am starting to get really annoyed that Apple have still not yet released a fix for this fundamental flaw with the i7 MBA model :-(

Agreed. It's been months now since this problem was found by the users, and still no official acknowledgement of the problem, or an updated EFI with the fix.

I was at the Grand Central Apple Genius Bar last week. They could not confirm anything else than this forum does indeed indentify the issue. They had no inside confirmation from Apple that this was a recognized issue and if/when it would be fixed.

I will be sorely disappointed if Apple does not fix this issue. I specifically upgraded to the 2 GHz model due to the extra performance necessary for some specific high speed signal processing algorithms I am using, and which only run on Windows.

Carsten

Yup, it never got attention with any of the major tech blogs either: Engadget, Macrumors, a quick mention on Anantech but buried deep in the article. Seriously this is a huge oversight especially since the i5 works correctly, we all should have gotten the i5 and saved a few instead of being duped.

I seriously considered returning the laptop, but at that time I had so much software installed on it, that it would be a major pain.

I talked with the Mac guy at BH Photo where I bought it, and he recommended that I keep it and trust that Apple fix it.

Although I generally very satisfied with my MBA, this Apple's stonewalling on issues leaves me with a very bad taste in my mouth.

Carsten

Absolutely, and the very people who chose the i7 model are the ones most likely to have bought it because they need the extra power in Windows for games or demanding audio/video apps!

This is a major issue that Apple really need to fix asap

There's an EFI update 2.5 that has the fix for TurboBoost! I have not downloaded yet but it's there, can someone confirm performance?!

Problem fixed with latest Mountain Lion update which also has a new EFI. Now my MBA blowers are cranking in Bootcamp. CPU-z shows clocking jumping up above 3 GHz before it gets too hot. Am seeing a 50% performance increase on a 30 s signal processing task which fully exploits all four cores (two real two hyper threaded). With longer tasks, obvious the clock will drop as things get too hot for the CPU. Now I finally get what I paid for. I was thinking seriously about returning the machine, but am pleased that Apple has fixed it. Now a very happy camper.

When repeating the benchmarks in quick succession, the Max CPU clock drops from 3 GHz on the first run to about 2.7 GHz on later runs where the blowers start cranking. All in all it shows Intels thermal management working like a charm.