CPU Frequency Scaling In Ubuntu

So, you have an irritatingly loud CPU fan which is making you consider whether or not launching your laptop through the nearest window is a good idea. Well, before you do that, why not give CPU frequency scaling a go.

OK, first of all, roll up your sleeves and insert the p4_clockmod module:

sudo modprobe p4_clockmod

This shouldn’t return any output.

Now, add the line

p4_clockmod

to /etc/modules to ensure the CPU clock scaling module starts with the system.

Now, to add the CPU frequency scaling monitor applet to the panel, right click over an empty area in the panel, select 'add to panel', and select the CPU frequency applet. Hopefully it'll pop up showing the CPU frequency now. Reboot your laptop if it doesn’t seem to be working immediately.

Finally, if you (like I did) get miffed off with the laptop ‘lagging’ when needing a quick boost of power, you can manually set the frequency you want it to run at. Sometimes 250Mhz just isn’t enough!

sudo cpufreq-selector -f 1000000

Would set the CPU frequency to 1GHz - Easy eh?

There you have it, CPU frequency scaling in 5 minutes and a good deal cheaper than lobbing your computer through a window!

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Any word on whether or not, or specifics of code, if this hack will work on a laptop with AMD 64?  (HP dv8000)

 Thanks, Doug

By: Anonymous

I have the AMD Turion 64 x2 Mobile in my HP DV9000 and it has processor stepping. 

 on windows (dual boot PC) I have increased the multiplier to 10x (2500mhz from 2000mhz)

 Speedfan shows that it is temperature stable and it is set to automatically scale back for overtemp situations.

I have noticed that my cpu speed is not stepping in Xubuntu and if i did set the clock speed with this it would not have any failsafe. temperature is the biggest problem with overclocking laptops and i would prefer not to fry mine :)

also im a relative noob to xubuntu so thanks for the help!! 

By: A fellow xubuntian

i had huge problem with my lap thinkpad x220 i5  dual core my cpu temp was acording to pfsensor 75c and the fan was spin like hell track now atlest seams to chill with 51c thanks alot best wishes