Intel Mac CPU speed question

rp2000

rp2000

rp2000

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Hi,

I have just bought an intel mac mini 1.83ghz. Very good so far.

In normal Windows XP when you use Intel CPUs that can adjust clock speed you can usually see you current speed in Windows System properties.i.e it will say you have a 1.83ghz cpu running at say 1.4 ghz.

Where is the equivalent place to see it in Mac OSX? (I am very new to this OS).
Also is there tools to adjust the speed of the CPU manually?

I think in windows XP you can get some tool called switchspeedxp that does this. Normally the speed is handled by Winodws Power Management.


This is based on my windows laptop which has Pentium-M processor. I believe Core Duo pocessors work the same way.

rp2000


p.s. how cool is it using the apple remote to control your dual booting??!!
 
In system preferences, click energy saver and in their here is an option to set the cpu to highest, lowest or your best option automatic. With OS X the system knows how much load you are putting on the system and adjusts the cpu speed accordingly when set on automatic. This saves power and keeps the noise levels (or lack of them) down. For instance, if you are just browsing the web the cpu will be at a very low speed because it isn't needed but play a game and all hell breaks lose and OS X tells the processor to let rip.

As for manually adjusting the speed, I haven't ever done it, so I don't know how, I just leave it on auto. :)
 
AJUK said:
In system preferences, click energy saver and in their here is an option to set the cpu to highest, lowest or your best option automatic. With OS X the system knows how much load you are putting on the system and adjusts the cpu speed accordingly when set on automatic. This saves power and keeps the noise levels (or lack of them) down. For instance, if you are just browsing the web the cpu will be at a very low speed because it isn't needed but play a game and all hell breaks lose and OS X tells the processor to let rip.

As for manually adjusting the speed, I haven't ever done it, so I don't know how, I just leave it on auto. :)
Click to expand...


Hi,

These options do not show up in the Energy Saver menu.
Can you show a screenshot of yours?

rp2000

Edit: Just found this on the web:

Check your processor performance setting

Some Macintosh computers can decrease the processors speed to conserve energy. To adjust the processor speed, click Options in System Preferences > Energy Saver and make the appropriate adjustments in the Processor Performance menu. Note that:

* If Options is unavailable in Energy Saver preferences, your Mac does not have this capability.
* If you are using a laptop on battery power, increasing the processor performance will shorten the amount of time you can use the computer at the battery's current state of charge.

from:
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/performance.html

I guess this means my mac mini does not supprt this :(
 
Last edited:
Perhaps it doesn't apply to Intel Macs then. I am waiting for my newiMac after selling my old G5 model. Maybe it just applied to those processors.
 
I've not come across the option on my iMac 20". I usually just keep tabs on the system speed and cpu heat with CoreDuoTemp.
 
rp2000 said:
In normal Windows XP when you use Intel CPUs that can adjust clock speed you can usually see you current speed in Windows System properties.i.e it will say you have a 1.83ghz cpu running at say 1.4 ghz.

Where is the equivalent place to see it in Mac OSX? (I am very new to this OS)
Click to expand...

Choose Apple > About This Mac...
 
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