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Do you have to make the changes everytime you log into windows or is it once you make the changes they are permanent? I'd like to be able to bring it back to stock settings if/when Apple issues a fix.

This is a simple batchfile that runs out of the startup folder. Deactivating it only requires deleting it from the same startup folder :)
 
Hello, I am considering to buy a 13" MBA and upgrade it to i7 2.0GHz. I want to clarify the following:

1. Does the turbo boost issue affect all the 13" MBA with the i7 upgrade?
2. In another thread, some people mentioned that a maxed model of the
13" MBA is faster than my 2010 i7 MBP 17". Without the turbo boost
in Windows under Bootcamp, does the MBA 13" still perform faster than
my MBP 17"?
3. If I run Windows using Fusion on the MBA, is the system still perform
better than my MBP 17" running Windows via Fusion?
4. Does the Turboboost problem affect MBA running Windows 8?
5. Is it fixable? It seems that by using a script file posted by somebody
on the support forum on Apple's website, the problem can be fixed?

Thanks.
 
Hello, I am considering to buy a 13" MBA and upgrade it to i7 2.0GHz. I want to clarify the following:

1. Does the turbo boost issue affect all the 13" MBA with the i7 upgrade?
2. In another thread, some people mentioned that a maxed model of the
13" MBA is faster than my 2010 i7 MBP 17". Without the turbo boost
in Windows under Bootcamp, does the MBA 13" still perform faster than
my MBP 17"?
3. If I run Windows using Fusion on the MBA, is the system still perform
better than my MBP 17" running Windows via Fusion?
4. Does the Turboboost problem affect MBA running Windows 8?
5. Is it fixable? It seems that by using a script file posted by somebody
on the support forum on Apple's website, the problem can be fixed?

Thanks.

1) Yes
2) Likely not, as without the Turbo Boost, the i7 is limited to a top speed of 1.9GHz.
3) For CPU tasks it is likely a wash. Note that your 17" MBP has a discrete GPU, so graphics tasks will be faster on your MBP than the Air.
4) I believe yes, since it is a firmware matter, and not an issue with the software, but I don't know for sure.
5) Hopefully Apple will release a permanent fix, but the scripts, and the ThrottleStop software provide a temporary workaround. It is possible that battery life will be worse with the workarounds than the permanent fix, since the workarounds may interfere with the power management features.
 
1) Yes
2) Likely not, as without the Turbo Boost, the i7 is limited to a top speed of 1.9GHz.
3) For CPU tasks it is likely a wash. Note that your 17" MBP has a discrete GPU, so graphics tasks will be faster on your MBP than the Air.
4) I believe yes, since it is a firmware matter, and not an issue with the software, but I don't know for sure.
5) Hopefully Apple will release a permanent fix, but the scripts, and the ThrottleStop software provide a temporary workaround. It is possible that battery life will be worse with the workarounds than the permanent fix, since the workarounds may interfere with the power management features.

So, with the temporary fix, the answer to Q2 is yes. The battery just runs out faster? If not, does the maxed out 11" MBA perform better under Windows than the 13" MBA and my 17" MBP? I mean in general, non 3D-intensive applications.

Apple is making it difficult to buy their products these days. I wanted an iPhone 5, they released the 4S. I wanted to buy the Mac Pro, the hardware is out of date and the maxed model is more expensive and slower than the HP Workstation. I wanted to buy a 15" rMBP, there are some applications that look bad on the new display (I know it is the problem with the software but if they have a 15" non retina display the same weight as the rMBP, I would have bought it already.) Now, I want to buy a MBA and there is a problem with the turbo boost...
 
This is a simple batchfile that runs out of the startup folder. Deactivating it only requires deleting it from the same startup folder :)

Cool, thanks. I tried it and it took mine from 2.0ghz to a fixed 2.49ghz and bumped my cpu score to 7.1. The lowest value I had was 5.5 and was for ram. The other scores went up incrementally like graphics.

I really hope the official fix comes to give the full turbo boost of 3.2ghz.

Edit: Ah, so using CPUID only works in Bootcamp mode. I tried using it in Parallels and I'm limited to one cpu and it doesn't change from the 2.0ghz value.
 
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Cool, thanks. I tried it and it took mine from 2.0ghz to a fixed 2.49ghz and bumped my cpu score to 7.1. The lowest value I had was 5.5 and was for ram. The other scores went up incrementally like graphics.

I really hope the official fix comes to give the full turbo boost of 3.2ghz.

Odd .. in my case in Bootcamp I see turbo boost spiking at 3.2ghz just the way it should (measured by latest Intel Turboboost Monitor)
 
Odd .. in my case in Bootcamp I see turbo boost spiking at 3.2ghz just the way it should (measured by latest Intel Turboboost Monitor)

Interesting, what did you use to display 3.2ghz? In my case, it was showing as fixed in the real time clock speed in CPUID and the Windows info showed 2.49ghz alongside 2.0 ghz in the system properties.

I used the exact numbers you had posted for CPUID (0x00000199, 0x00000000, 0x00002000). At the same time, how do you set it back to stock? It shows as 2.49ghz even if I move the CPUID folder to the trash can and restart the MBA. Could it be because I am on Mountain Lion?

When I use Parallels, the changes don't register at all. It just shows 2.0ghz.
 
When did you download the Boot Camp drivers?

No not Bootcamp drivers but a fix as posted on https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4035733?start=15&tstart=0
My turboboost now works exactly as it should (albeit triggered by batch file on the startup folder, exactly as instructed below)


--- THIS WORKAROUND IS FOR THE MACBOOK AIR 2012 with i7 CPU ONLY ---

This is a scripted (one-click) approach to implement the MSR fix that tori10love found.

1. Download and install the latest version of the program RW-Everything, v1.4.9 at this time:
http://jacky5488.myweb.hinet.net/download.html

By default it installs to C:\Program Files (x86)\RW-Everything\

2. Create a text file which is the script, that has this:

>cpu 1
>wrmsr 0x00000199 0 0x00002000
>cpu 2
>wrmsr 0x00000199 0 0x00002000
>cpu 3
>wrmsr 0x00000199 0 0x00002000
>cpu 4
>wrmsr 0x00000199 0 0x00002000
>rwexit

For example, I created this file as C:\Temp\MacbookAir2012_i7_Fix.rw

3. Create a CMD/DOS batch file which runs this script:

cd C:\Temp\
"C:\Program Files (x86)\RW-Everything\RW" /Command=MacbookAir2012_i7_Fix.rw /Logfile=rw-logfile.txt

--- DONE ---

Note that the MSR value is reset to the default (wrong) values after every SLEEP or BOOT. So if you want this to be always fixed, it has to be run after every wakeup or boot.
 
Just want to bump this up since the turbo boost problem hasn't been resolved yet by Apple/Intel.
 
No not Bootcamp drivers but a fix as posted on https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4035733?start=15&tstart=0
My turboboost now works exactly as it should (albeit triggered by batch file on the startup folder, exactly as instructed below)


--- THIS WORKAROUND IS FOR THE MACBOOK AIR 2012 with i7 CPU ONLY ---

This is a scripted (one-click) approach to implement the MSR fix that tori10love found.

1. Download and install the latest version of the program RW-Everything, v1.4.9 at this time:
http://jacky5488.myweb.hinet.net/download.html

By default it installs to C:\Program Files (x86)\RW-Everything\

2. Create a text file which is the script, that has this:

>cpu 1
>wrmsr 0x00000199 0 0x00002000
>cpu 2
>wrmsr 0x00000199 0 0x00002000
>cpu 3
>wrmsr 0x00000199 0 0x00002000
>cpu 4
>wrmsr 0x00000199 0 0x00002000
>rwexit

For example, I created this file as C:\Temp\MacbookAir2012_i7_Fix.rw

3. Create a CMD/DOS batch file which runs this script:

cd C:\Temp\
"C:\Program Files (x86)\RW-Everything\RW" /Command=MacbookAir2012_i7_Fix.rw /Logfile=rw-logfile.txt

--- DONE ---

Note that the MSR value is reset to the default (wrong) values after every SLEEP or BOOT. So if you want this to be always fixed, it has to be run after every wakeup or boot.

WOW!

Thanks alot! This make all the difference in the world.

Now if we can only figure out hou to disable the internal termal throttling at its default set temperature.

Also, has anyone sucessfully updated the HD 4000 drivers? The latest I see on Intels site will not install. Says no compatible hardware found. I tried to extract the package ith uniextract and manually install, only to be given the same message.
 
workaround(another method): use MSR Editor (CrystalCPUID)

http://crystalmark.info/software/CrystalCPUID/index-e.html

run CrystalCPUID.exe, Function->MSR Editor, set values and press WRMSR. repeat CPU1-CPU4.

MSR Number 0x00000199
WRMSR EDX-> 0x00000000 EAX-> 0x00002000

Image

I think I need a little help. I tried the settings in crystalcpuid on my 32bit windows 7 in bootcamp. The settings changed from 2.0 ghz to 2.49 ghz. And it is fixed at 2.49 ghz according to crystalcpuid. Even when I restart windows, the cpu comes back fixed at 2.49 ghz. It makes the fans run from 3500rpm to 4000rpm after 10min of just web surfing.

How can I reset back to 2.0 ghz or the stock settings? Here is the screenshot of my windows system info showing 2.49ghz:



Crystalcpuid says I'm running at 2.49ghz but cpuz says I'm running at 2.095ghz with the multiplier at 21 instead of the stock 19. I don't know what's going on but I'm hoping the i7 isn't running continuously at 2.095 or 2.49ghz.
 
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EFI Update 2.5!!!!

There's an EFI update 2.5 that has the fix for TurboBoost! I have not downloaded yet but it's there, can someone confirm performance?!
 
There's an EFI update 2.5 that has the fix for TurboBoost! I have not downloaded yet but it's there, can someone confirm performance?!

That's great to hear! I have been waiting for this. I've got a lot to download tonight (iOS 6, 10.8.2, Office 2011 for Mac Update, EFI update).
 
Works on Windows 8 Consumer Preview as well!

----------

Here are my results (Windows 8 CP x64):

Geekbench 2.3.4
Before: 4367
After: 5764

WEI
Bef. -> Aft.
6.4 -> 7.1
7.2 -> 7.5
5.7 -> 5.7
6.3 -> 6.3
8.1 -> 8.1


I'd be interested to see what other peoples' Geekbench scores are.

With EFI Update:
Geekbench (32): 6256
 
Confirmed this is now fixed under 10.8.2 and the associated firmware update. Turboboost multiplier is now correct under bootcamp.
 
Works on Windows 8 Consumer Preview as well!

----------



With EFI Update:
Geekbench (32): 6256

Oddly enough, in Windows 7 64-bit I could tell using CPU-ID that it was turbo boosting all the way, but the WEI still only registered 6.3 (up from 6.2) on the CPU score. I'll check to make sure that Throttlestop isn't still out there in the background messing with things. I didn't do any of the other workarounds.

In any case, it's good to see that Apple got around to fixing the issue with the EFI.
 
Oddly enough, in Windows 7 64-bit I could tell using CPU-ID that it was turbo boosting all the way, but the WEI still only registered 6.3 (up from 6.2) on the CPU score.

My WEI for CPU registered 7.2 (i7 2.0 w/8Gb ram). Works flawlessly now.
 
Hooray, 3 months after release turbo fixed in 3667U IB

So its sept 24th. almost exactly 3 months to the day that I received this new top of the line MBA, and TODAY, apple FINALLY released the firmware update that corrects a SIMPLE CPU configuration error that allows turbo boost in windows, so computer performs as its supposed to . They know about it in early July at least (I and others sent bug reports). Work arounds using a gamers over-clocking utilities or other options were available, but it was very annoying that the "upgraded" processor only had the problem (2.00GHz, vs 1.6GHz). Apple's official line was it a windows issue. NOT TRUE, it was in the Apple EFI. Anyway, its all about the money. it just wasn't a top priority for the 20% of the people who bought new MBA's with the 2.0 GHz 3667U Ivy Bridge CPU. After all they have IOS 6, their cash cow and Mountain Lion to keep there best coders. Oh well, its still and awesome Lappy in a 2.5 lb form factor, and I only use Windows when necessary. USB3, 8GB RAM, IB CPU's processors, more. Sold my precious rev and never looked back .
 
So its sept 24th. almost exactly 3 months to the day that I received this new top of the line MBA, and TODAY, apple FINALLY released the firmware update that corrects a SIMPLE CPU configuration error that allows turbo boost in windows, so computer performs as its supposed to . They know about it in early July at least (I and others sent bug reports). Work arounds using a gamers over-clocking utilities or other options were available, but it was very annoying that the "upgraded" processor only had the problem (2.00GHz, vs 1.6GHz). Apple's official line was it a windows issue. NOT TRUE, it was in the Apple EFI. Anyway, its all about the money. it just wasn't a top priority for the 20% of the people who bought new MBA's with the 2.0 GHz 3667U Ivy Bridge CPU. After all they have IOS 6, their cash cow and Mountain Lion to keep there best coders. Oh well, its still and awesome Lappy in a 2.5 lb form factor, and I only use Windows when necessary. USB3, 8GB RAM, IB CPU's processors, more. Sold my precious rev and never looked back .

thanks for sharing with the class timmy.
 
May I reconfirm that the 2012 MBA maxed version (i7 2.0GHz) can now get turbo boost to 3.2GHz under Windows?
 
May I reconfirm that the 2012 MBA maxed version (i7 2.0GHz) can now get turbo boost to 3.2GHz under Windows?

it will turbo boost a single core to 3.2ghz.

if both cores are used 100% then they both get turbo boost and will turbo to 3.0ghz
 
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