Toggling processor performance via command line / terminal on G5

aarony · 12-11-2006, 11:52 AM

Hi guys and gals,

I often SSH into my G5 dual 2.7 GHz downstairs from my PB 12" 867MHz. I usually leave my G5 running 24/7 at "reduced" processor usage so that the electricity bill is lower. But sometimes, when I am doing some processor intensive work, I bump up the processor to full or automatic so get things done quickly. So the question arises, is there a way to toggle the processor performance via the command line (CLI) instead of going via Engergy Saver in System Preferances?

When I am away from home, using Remote Desktop is exceedingly slow and not always an option.

Thanks.

Aaron

hayne · 12-11-2006, 12:03 PM

You can control this with the 'pmset' utility.
I think there was at least one article on the main macosxhints site about 'pmset'
Read 'man pmset' for details

aarony · 12-11-2006, 01:10 PM

Thanks, that did the trick. Here's the command line:

To set processor speed to "reduced"
sudo pmset -a reduce 1

To set processor speed to "highest" or not reduced:
sudo pmset -a reduce 0

Value of 0 or 1 is obviously a boolean value (true/false).

NovaScotian · 12-12-2006, 09:58 PM

I haven't understood why you don't just leave Processor Performance on Automatic (I know the dual-core G5 has that setting an would have thought your computer had it). It switches back and forth fairly rapidly depending on Processor use.

aarony · 12-12-2006, 10:06 PM

It's more nosy if I leave it on automatic with the rapid changes. But overall, just a preference to be able to control myself...

12-11-2006, 11:52 AM	#1
aarony Triple-A Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 51	Toggling processor performance via command line / terminal on G5 Hi guys and gals, I often SSH into my G5 dual 2.7 GHz downstairs from my PB 12" 867MHz. I usually leave my G5 running 24/7 at "reduced" processor usage so that the electricity bill is lower. But sometimes, when I am doing some processor intensive work, I bump up the processor to full or automatic so get things done quickly. So the question arises, is there a way to toggle the processor performance via the command line (CLI) instead of going via Engergy Saver in System Preferances? When I am away from home, using Remote Desktop is exceedingly slow and not always an option. Thanks. Aaron

12-11-2006, 12:03 PM	#2
hayne Site Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 32,473	You can control this with the 'pmset' utility. I think there was at least one article on the main macosxhints site about 'pmset' Read 'man pmset' for details __________________ hayne.net/macosx.html

12-12-2006, 09:58 PM	#4
NovaScotian League Commissioner Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Halifax, Canada Posts: 5,156	I haven't understood why you don't just leave Processor Performance on Automatic (I know the dual-core G5 has that setting an would have thought your computer had it). It switches back and forth fairly rapidly depending on Processor use. __________________ 17" MBP, OS X; 27" iMac, both OS X 10.10.x (latest)

12-11-2006, 01:10 PM	#3
aarony Triple-A Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 51	Thanks, that did the trick. Here's the command line: To set processor speed to "reduced" sudo pmset -a reduce 1 To set processor speed to "highest" or not reduced: sudo pmset -a reduce 0 Value of 0 or 1 is obviously a boolean value (true/false).

12-12-2006, 10:06 PM	#5
aarony Triple-A Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 51	It's more nosy if I leave it on automatic with the rapid changes. But overall, just a preference to be able to control myself...