CPU B using more power than CPU A?

[macuserx86]

Looking in iStat menus the other day, I noticed that CPU B was consistently using more power than CPU A (not more Volts, more amps and watts). Is this normal? is this bad?
Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[zachsilvey]

The balance of processor usage between cores is never the same. If you are using an app that can only use a single processing core then it will increase the load on that cpu thus increasing the power draw on that core.

 

[gugucom]

On my 2009 MP the A CPU usually runs hotter and uses more power.

 

[macuserx86]

So it would appear that this is normal then. I just got scared for a minute; I'm very protective of my 42 lb baby 😀

 

[J the Ninja]

I've found it's best to not stare at the sensors display in iStat Menus too long. 🙂 You start getting paranoid. (Although it does tell you interesting things about why battery life mysteriously goes away in Snow Leopard)

 

[zachsilvey]

I've found it's best to not stare at the sensors display in iStat Menus too long. 🙂 You start getting paranoid. (Although it does tell you interesting things about why battery life mysteriously goes away in Snow Leopard)

I get way to obsessed with the stats that iStat gives me, the problem is that I also set up the iPhone app so I can see stats wherever I am.

 

[macuserx86]

I've found it's best to not stare at the sensors display in iStat Menus too long. 🙂 You start getting paranoid. (Although it does tell you interesting things about why battery life mysteriously goes away in Snow Leopard)

Ya, that's true. I like to look at the processors one though; I'm still amazed that I have 8 physical cores in my computer. I went from a 12" PowerBook to a 2.8 GHz octo Mac Pro. That's like going from a Civic to a Zonda F roadster 😀

 

[300D]

The OS frequently switches the core an application hogs to balance thermal loading of the die.