MacOS X: Does automatic setting determine CPU-load correctly?
23 Apr 2006 15:36:41 UTC
Topic 191124
(moderation:
Hi,
when I run SETI@Home or E@H on my G5 Dual 2.7GHz both CPUs run at appr. 95% load. Hardware monitor gives these data for the different seetings in Energy-saver control panel (no other programs running, CPU-data):
Maximum: 85°C ± 2°C; 60 amp ± 2 amp
Automatic: 73°C ± 4°C; 43 amp ± 5 amp
Minimum: 69°C ± 1°C; 37 amp ± 1 amp
Why is the range in automatic setting so much wider than in either the maximum or minimum setting?
Why does automatic mode run so much lower than maximum, although both processors are running at 95% load?
MacOS X: Does automatic setting determine CPU-load correctly?
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jeezzz.... Are all powermac g5s that hot....?
RE: Hi, when I run
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Automatic varies the cooling by system requirements. If the thing cools off it turns down the fan. Max runs the fans almost full all the time with a little reserve just in case. minimum runs them all the time but on the slow end and runs them up when things get hot.
So you can see that Max is going to take the most power but the system will stabilize at a lower temp. Minimum, will use less power over all but the temp will fluctuate, Automatic will allow the temps to fluctuate and the fan speed will also rise and fall as necessary, producing a compromise between the other two settings. Your tests bear this out. The largest part of the power used is the fans not the CPU.
Regards
Phil
We Must look for intelligent life on other planets as,
it is becoming increasingly apparent we will not find any on our own.
RE: Automatic varies the
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Hi Phil,
when I run my computers on max-setting the fans run at 950-1150 RPM and are hardly hearable. Running in automatic mode gives a much greater spread with the fans speeding up and and cycling very loud. In this mode the fans run at 400-1700 RPM.