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Level 1

10 points

SMC Firmware Clamps Processor Speed?

Just installed the SMC firmware update.
Cooler: Running CoreDuoTemp v0.51, I couldn't push the temp past 70, whereas I reached mid 80's before.
But SLOWER: I can't (according to the CoreDuoTemp program) push it past 1000Mhz, the chip's minimum. It used to idle at 1500, and push to 1830. To boot, things like iTunes visualizer are noticeably slower.

So...well, this would obviously explain the heat difference. It's nice having a cooler operating temp, but are we really capped at 1.0 Ghz to get it? Can anyone else confirm?

BTW, is there any other program that will give a readout of current clock speed?

1.83 MacbookPro

Posted on May 16, 2006 8:27 PM

94 replies

UU7

Level 1

0 points

May 17, 2006 6:38 AM in response to hiaw

update the speedit kext.

Mac J

Level 2

240 points

May 17, 2006 6:42 AM in response to Mardacious

If I use the "yes > /dev/null" on two terminal windows as suggested in this thread, the CoreDuoTemp utility shows (after a few seconds) the speed is at 2000. Quitting both returns it to 1500 after awhile. When I unplug the machine while idling, it drops to 1333 on battery power for a few seconds then goes right back up to 1500. Ah well.

I still have the inverter noise when the display dims but I haven't heard the whine yet today (it usually doesn't start until a few hours into my work day anyway - seems like it gets tired and whines about it ... ;-)).

Mardacious Author

Level 1

10 points

May 17, 2006 6:52 AM in response to UU7

The updated speedit is inside .51 of CoreDuoTemp, to my knowledge... still stuck at 1000Mhz.

I just bought a 1Ghz machine for two grand?

Nick A

Level 4

1,522 points

May 17, 2006 6:57 AM in response to Mardacious

Do you try maxxing it out with some processor intensive task? When CPU usage goes above 40% or so does it go up at all?

Mu 1.83 never goes lower than 1333, even on battery. I'd like it to go to 1000 on battery if possible.

Nick

TSP

Level 1

75 points

May 17, 2006 7:11 AM in response to Mardacious

Where can I find this SMC Firmware update?

Nevermind.

hiaw

Level 1

0 points

May 17, 2006 7:05 AM in response to UU7

I just tried to update speedit.kext. Doesn't seem to do much difference. Been running "yes > /dev/null" for a while now and I'm still stuck in 1Ghz....

cry I've broke my new toy....

Level 4

1,370 points

May 17, 2006 7:06 AM in response to Mardacious

Temperature: 64ºC (Hardly gone passed 70% since the SMC firmware update)
CPU Usage: ~
Frequencies >
Mini: 1000 MHz
Max: 2167 MHz
Current: 1667MHz (most of the time)

Anyone care to explain these readings?

Mardacious Author

Level 1

10 points

May 17, 2006 7:09 AM in response to Nick A

Yup---I've tried every processor-intensive task from dev/null terminals, some heavy Photoshop tasks, some iTunes visuals, each alone and all together... etc. I can push it to %100 for extended periods, but it's no use--looks like I'm permanently throttled to 1Ghz. And the whole machine runs perceptibly slower.

Nick A

Level 4

1,522 points

May 17, 2006 7:30 AM in response to Mardacious

You definately need to call Apple and explain this situation to them. While I don't have this issue, you do and it's not doing things correctly. If you're at 100% CPU it should be at its max core freq.

Nick

vamp07

Level 1

0 points

May 17, 2006 7:32 AM in response to AT

I would gladly exchange processor speed and or battery life for lower operating temperature. I wish I had that option.

Ian Wood

Level 5

4,350 points

May 17, 2006 7:33 AM in response to cyberdust

Has anyone else noticed the footnote on all the CPU
speeds for the Macbook Pros in the online store...

2.0GHz Intel Core Duo(1)

And here is what it reads...
1. The MacBook Pro continuously monitors system
thermal and power conditions, and may adjust
processor speed as needed to maintain optimal system
operation.

Is this because they have had to cap the speed and
some may say they are over-stating the performance of
the machine?

Smells of Class Action doesn't it?

Nope, it smells of SpeedStep, Intel's technology that throttles back the processor when it's not in use. It's exactly the same with almost all Intel laptop processors. Otherwise your battery would last an hour or so...

hiaw

Level 1

0 points

May 17, 2006 7:35 AM in response to Mardacious

Hi,

As you can see I had the same problem as you. But.... a quick shutdown and let the machine cool for 10 mins or so. Start up again and it's fly at 1.83GHz again. Over time it would come down to 1GHz, but if you load it, goes back to max core freq. What a relief...

Cheers

hiaw

Level 1

0 points

May 17, 2006 7:37 AM in response to Mardacious

ok... i managed to throttle up my core freq again. but it's at whopping 90 degree celsius..... Ouch. What are your temperature when you max out the cpu at 1.83MHz?

May 17, 2006 7:48 AM in response to hiaw

For the guys who got stuck at 1 GHz:

What's the readings of your Preference Pane "Processor"?

Not that I know any further from there...
I just feel it should match the CoreDuoTemp readings...

eribble

Level 2

224 points

May 17, 2006 7:51 AM in response to Thorsten Zoerner

Good point on checking the preference panel. Perhaps, somehow one of the cores got disabled?

SMC Firmware Clamps Processor Speed?