2.8Ghz Macbook Pro not reaching 4Ghz Turbo Boost?

[Maximus434]

Does anyone else have the upgraded 2.8Ghz CPU on their macbook pro 15"?

This is supposed to turbo boost to 4Ghz in certain circumstances (i.e. single core use) but my system is only getting 3.8Ghz when I max out one core.

I understand there are certain factors involved but it doesn't even spike to 4Ghz.

If anyone else has this system could you do this quick test and let me know the figures:

1. Open the Intel Power Gadget
2. Open Terminal and type "yes > /dev/null" (without quotes)

After a few seconds you should see the Frequency in Ghz of the CPU. Can you report it here?

I'm curious to find out if it's just my machine or all 2.8Ghz chips in the MBP, maybe they aren't capable of the full 4Ghz in these chips and apple didn't test correctly!

 

[Brian Y]

Just tested my 2.8 - highest it went was 3.83Ghz.

The chip is probably capable of more, it's probably because the OS (or the Intel app itself) is using enough of another core to stop it going all the way.

 

[Gav2k]

Have you got the power adaptor in and battery relatively charged?

 

[Hieveryone]

How are you able to check? It could be a limitation of the OS rather than the chip itself being defective.

Also, you might not be needing that extra power.

 

[53kyle]

I can't speak about the 2.8 GHz processor, but my 2.9 GHz is supposed to reach 3.6 GHz. Like the 2.8 GHz, it only reaches about 200 MHz less than it is supposed to (3.4 GHz).

 

[PaulWog]

Run a benchmark and compare it with the same specced Macbook from a review of some sort. If yours scores lower, then maybe there's an issue.

I know turbo boost can be weird...

 

[Maximus434]

Thanks, yeah I'm guessing either OSX is somehow limiting the speed (or power consumption) or laptop doesn't have the power available to reach 4.0GHz.

Although I notice that in windows for similar tasks, the CPU will frequently hit 3.85-3.95GHz briefly. Battery is fully charged and its plugged in.

At least I know I'm not alone!

 

[darngooddesign]

That missing .2 is probably really slowing you down.