How to: Disable Turboboost on Mac(while in OSX)

[luffytubby]

Heated discussions have been running up around here lately, and someone asked about something interesting in one of the threads. "If we can disable our GPU for better battery and heat management, why can't we do it with the CPU".

Actually there is a way to disable turboboost in Mac.



First of all, what is turboboost?;

Intel Turbo Boost is a technology implemented by Intel in certain versions of their Nehalem-, Sandy-Bridge-, Ivy-Bridge, and Haswell-based CPUs, including Core i5 and Core i7 that enables the processor to run above its base operating frequency via dynamic control of the CPU's "clock rate". It is activated when the operating system requests the highest performance state of the processor. Processor performance states are defined by the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) specification, an open standard supported by all major operating systems; no additional software or drivers are required to support the technology. The design concept behind Turbo Boost is commonly referred to as "dynamic overclocking".

The increased clock rate is limited by the processor's power, current and thermal limits, as well as the number of cores currently in use and the maximum frequency of the active cores. When workload on the processor calls for faster performance, and the processor is below its limits, the processor's clock will increase the operating frequency in regular increments as required to meet demand. Frequency increases occur in increments of 133 MHz for Nehalem microarchitecture processors and 100 MHz for Sandy/Ivy Bridge microarchitecture processors. When any of the electrical or thermal limits are reached, the operating frequency automatically decreases in decrements of 133 MHz/100 MHz until the processor is again operating within its design limits.

So basically, you have a computer that runs a base clock of 2.3 GHz. It runs like that all the time. Then when task that could go faster comes up then it can jump to a clock of 3.3 GHz in violent small millisecond. And then again. it spikes to fix every situation so fast. But it heats up the temperatures over time. It would never go under its base clock 2.3 besides a throttling emergency. Basically the temperatures would need to get past 105c degrees for the CPU clock to go all the way down, to say... 1,3 GHz.

Why disable turboboost?


It's a known fact that with disabling turboboost, you can reduce temperatures and increase battery life. If you have silly software like flash that is way to annoyingly coded anyway, why allow your Mac to get all heated up just because Youtube is a b**ch? Disable it, and leave it for when work needs to be done.

Not all applications and websites are equally using the resources. This allows a Mac with a powerful processor to get all fired up for little reason. Turbboost is great for certain thing, but let's not act like we need it all the time. At least not in a world with Flash


Video; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci5t-54ksEM

Link to App; https://github.com/rugarciap/Turbo-Boost-Switcher




Disclaimer; I havent used it. I am just excited to see this, because I thought this could only be done under Windows by downloading the Intel Application and setting CPU power to 99%. I had no idea it was possible in OSX. Seeing it makes me excited.


If anyone here have any gains in temperature drops or battery life, please do tell!

 

[vandoorn]

I like your story! Who volunteers to try this app?

 

[luffytubby]

guys, anyone wanna test this? I would like to see if there is a significant difference in real world performance? lower temps during idle, during light loads, during heavy applications, during gaming.


I mean.. if you got a 10c or 20c decrease across the board.. that would be phenomenal.

 

[TechZeke]

guys, anyone wanna test this? I would like to see if there is a significant difference in real world performance? lower temps during idle, during light loads, during heavy applications, during gaming.


I mean.. if you got a 10c or 20c decrease across the board.. that would be phenomenal.

you wouldn't see any improvement at idle since turbo boost isn't running at idle.

Main advantage would be web browsing or light applications where you don't need the extra horse power anyway, so your MBP won't heat up just because of watching youtube.

This is basically the CPU equivalent of disabling the dGPU and only using the integrated graphics.

 

[luffytubby]

you wouldn't see any improvement at idle since turbo boost isn't running at idle.

Main advantage would be web browsing or light applications where you don't need the extra horse power anyway, so your MBP won't heat up just because of watching youtube.

This is basically the CPU equivalent of disabling the dGPU and only using the integrated graphics.

Yes that's what I was thinking. Why should a dudes CPU go to 90c degrees because Flash is a mess on youtube or some website? TB doesnt know what we want it to help us with in assistance right?

 

[thundersteele]

So basically, you have a computer that runs a base clock of 2.3 GHz. It runs like that all the time.

I think at this point you are misinformed. A CPU that is idle will run at much lower frequencies, at least any laptop CPU will do so. This speedstepping was introduced I think already in 2002 or 2003 with the Centrino CPUs. Modern CPUs are a few steps further, I think they can go to sleep when the laptop is idle... there are several sleep states etc.

Coming back to the topic:
- a laptop CPU with 2.3 GHz will rarely run at this frequency, unless under heavy load
- if the CPU runs at 2.3 GHz for an extended period, it gets hot... those 90C would also happen without turbo boost... maybe a bit slower

Anyways, the tool, if it works, could still be useful, to reduce the heat generated from load spikes. But I'm not sure if it is worth the effort.

 

[luffytubby]

I think at this point you are misinformed. A CPU that is idle will run at much lower frequencies, at least any laptop CPU will do so. This speedstepping was introduced I think already in 2002 or 2003 with the Centrino CPUs. Modern CPUs are a few steps further, I think they can go to sleep when the laptop is idle... there are several sleep states etc.

Coming back to the topic:
- a laptop CPU with 2.3 GHz will rarely run at this frequency, unless under heavy load
- if the CPU runs at 2.3 GHz for an extended period, it gets hot... those 90C would also happen without turbo boost... maybe a bit slower

Anyways, the tool, if it works, could still be useful, to reduce the heat generated from load spikes. But I'm not sure if it is worth the effort.

Oh I see. I guess I misunderstood it then. then what does speed does a laptop run at?

 

[luffytubby]

I found an older thread on the subject; https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1435088/


Though it talks about Windows effects.

For those wanting to compare the difference between CPU turbo enabled vs disabled i have uploaded 2 pics with overlays on to show the fps and temps.

Skyrim running at 1920x1200 on ultra with no AA

Here is TB enabled:

View attachment 356239

and TB disabled:

View attachment 356240

Both were running for 15 minutes before i took the screenshot.

The fans are set to run normally on the first 2 tests (no lubbos etc)



Lastly, a screenshot with lubbos fan control running and TB disabled. (again after 15 minutes in-game):

View attachment 356249

look how cool it can be AND with minimal FPS loss.

This is fantastic. Never above 80 degrees while gaming for not that big a FPS loss?