Jun 30

Setup cpufreq and keep your laptop/netbook cooler on PCLinuxOS

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cpufreq refers to the kernel infrastructure that implements CPU frequency scaling. This technology enables the operating system to scale the CPU speed up or down in order to save power. CPUs running at full power of course generate more heat. Here is how I set up cpufreq on PCLinuxOS. This works for me. Maybe it will work for you too.

I have these packages installed.

[root@thenudiebar ~]# rpm -qa|grep cpufreq
cpufreq-1.0-28pclos2010
cpufrequtils-008-1pclos2010

In the root terminal I type:

cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_available_frequencies

I get the frequencies available to me. The one to the left is the highest and the one to the right is the lowest.
2800000 2100000 1600000 800000

Then I edit /etc/sysconfig/cpufreq file and add the minimum and maximum.

Looks like this:

# set cpufreq governor if defined
# possible choices are: ondemand powersave userspace performance
GOVERNOR=ondemand

# minimum frequency
MIN_FREQ=800000

# maximum frequency
MAX_FREQ=2800000

# Uncomment to use acpi-cpufreq as fallback
#USE_ACPI_CPUFREQ=yes

Then I go into the PCLinuxOS Control Center – System – Services to start at boot and set cpufreq to start at boot. Once I reboot I open a terminal and check the status with

[texstar@thenudiebar ~]$ cpufreq-info
cpufrequtils 008: cpufreq-info (C) Dominik Brodowski 2004-2009
Report errors and bugs to cpufreq@vger.kernel.org, please.
analyzing CPU 0:
driver: powernow-k8
CPUs which run at the same hardware frequency: 0
CPUs which need to have their frequency coordinated by software: 0
maximum transition latency: 8.0 us.
hardware limits: 800 MHz – 2.80 GHz
available frequency steps: 2.80 GHz, 2.10 GHz, 1.60 GHz, 800 MHz
available cpufreq governors: ondemand, conservative, powersave, userspace, performance
current policy: frequency should be within 800 MHz and 2.80 GHz.
The governor “ondemand” may decide which speed to use
within this range.
current CPU frequency is 800 MHz

Cha-ching!!!

Bonus Tip! Install CpuFreqDisplay plasmoid from get more widgets and add it to your KDE taskbar to see it in action.

written by admin


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