[leffo]

Can someone explain how the Processor Performance settings in the Energy Saver preference panel works? For example, what does the Reduced setting actually do? Is my processor running at a lower speed when Reduced is selected? What about Automatic?

I've tried running an application (Megamyth, for example) that'll show the actual CPU and BUS speeds, but whatever performance setting I'm using it still shows a CPU-speed of 700 MHz. Am I missing something?

I know AMD:s mobile processors has this neat feature of automatically adjusting the CPU speed according to computer usage. While browsing the web the processor might downclock to 500 MHz. While watching a movie it goes up to 1000 MHz, et cetera. Is this what the Automatic setting does as well? If so, is there a tool that will let me watch this adjustment?

Anyone know?

[typoon]

Iusually leave it on Automatic. I believe that is how that works. I could be wrong though

[Musti]

Originally posted by leffo:
Can someone explain how the Processor Performance settings in the Energy Saver preference panel works? For example, what does the Reduced setting actually do? Is my processor running at a lower speed when Reduced is selected? What about Automatic?

(snipetty-snip)

Anyone know?

On a DVI PowerBook G4 with 800 MHz processor, "Reduced" reduces the speed to 667 MHz and disables the L3 cache. On the same model with 667 MHz processor, it just disables the L3 cache.

My guess is this is a pattern for the other TiBooks with two different speeds. Not sure about the 17" though. I've only read the Technical Notes on my model (DVI).

Also, the GPU (Radeon 7500 and up) have what is called "Powerplay". This also reduces the juice the GPU demands depending on system load and power situation (battery or adapter).