Setup cpufreq to keep your laptop cool

by Texstar

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 PCC 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.