G5 > Energy Saver > Processor Performance option

[Jethryn Freyman]

Anybody got any experience tweaking this? How much does it actually affect performance, has anybody run any kind of tests?

I'm bored right now so I might have a play.

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OK, ran Geekbench:

Reduced setting:

Highest setting (35.8% faster):

Automatic setting (even faster but not by very much so I guess it's a random variation, you never get quite the same Geekbench score twice):

In conclusion, the Reduced setting is much much more reduced than I had expected. I guess running on Automatic is the best option since the computer seems to give it maximum performance when required.

 

[eyoungren]

I have heard it suggested that Automatic or Reduced are the best options as they reduce processor load which in turn extends the life of the processor.

However, due to issues with the OS in 2005 (related to crashing while sleeping) my work Mac (G5) has been set on the Highest setting since early 2005. I have all the sleep settings off and this G5 stays on 24/7 so it's been running at full speed since then (with the occaisional shut down). Never had a problem with life. Perhaps it may peform a bit better on Automatic, but Highest is working for me.

 

[Hrududu]

I've always run mine at the highest performance option. If I wasn't interested in speed, I'd have gotten a slower computer.

 

[adcx64]

I dont see this option on my MDD. Does it not support this?

 

[eyoungren]

Some Macs adjust this on the fly and therefore you cannot set it. My 1Ghz PowerBook is this way.

 

[Hrududu]

I dont see this option on my MDD. Does it not support this?

I'm not sure if G4 desktops had the feature or not. My iMac G4 or G4 Cube have it. Unfortunately, I don't have my G4 Mini anymore which would have been the newest G4 desktop I ever owned.

 

[adcx64]

Do you know of any utilities to do this? Id like to try this out.

 

[lgwells1]

I saw this and decided to do my own testing.

I am using Geek Bench (64-Bit) With the latest updates for 10.5.8. Each batch of test were done back to back. Here are my specs from my G5 Dual 1.8.

Test 1: No Restart(Running for several weeks) Set on Automatic

1.1569
2.1579
3.1615
4.1600
5.1602

Average - 1593


Test 2: Restarted G5 - Set on Automatic

1.1596
2.1602
3.1639
4.1631
5.1623

Average - 1618.2


Test 3: Restarted G5 - Set on Reduced

1.1188
2.1181
3.1175
4.1199
5.1191

Average - 1186.8


Test 4: Restarted G5 - Set on Highest

1.1611
2.1639
3.1610
4.1606
5.1594

Average - 1612