Hi friends,

I've uploaded v1.4.0 of the IntelEnhancedSpeedStep.kext. You can get it from http://code.google.com/p/xnu-speedstep.

The major highlight of this release is that it includes a no-configuration 'just works' auto-throttler.

You don't need speedstep GUI for it to work. Just install the kext and you're done. It will do its job in the background, throttling up or down as required. The algorithm used is quite interesting, as it doesn't have any step up/down threshold or timers to configure. The timer is adaptive and the stepping happens directly based on a target load. I'll continue improving the algorithm so it takes into account previous load trends and temperatures too.

Some notes:

• Deactivate any throttling GUI you are using. Put it in manual mode, not auto.
• If you have made a custom Info.plist, save it, install the new kext, then copy back your custom Info.plist

Hope you like this version. Raves go here. Bugs go on google code. (Check sig for link to the page).

NOTE: No, AMD Cool'n'quiet is not yet included but I'm working on it. Read the other thread for info on it.

THANKS!
First tests with C2D 4400 OC to 2400MHZ worked perfect!

Question: Is it possible that the .kext sets MHZ to highest at kextunload (autotrottle stops but stays at slowest MHZ) time ?
Is it possible that (no priority) you include an temp sysctl value which could be later read out by an gui/menüe tool made by someone else ?

Q2: little off topic, but do you know if the alingement settings in XCODE (G4 / G5 /NONE, mtune= ) does matter or not because PPC and Intel have some differnet alingements ?

Works nice with my vanilla install on my Laptop (C2D 1.83ghz)

Ive used superhais kext, but to me this seems abit smoother for me right now.

Anyway, what i realy want now is a good gui app that can display Mhz and Temp.

Are there some other nice app for that around, except coolbook?

Hi, I don't post much around here, although I have interest in having speedstep for OS X kernel.

I gave a try a few minutes ago with the new version and all went fine! I have a Core 2 Duo T5500, three available Pstates (1000, 1333, 1833), and some voltages, although I don't have interest on those right away.

The computer in question is a Dell Inspiron 1525, just for the record, vanilla kernel.

Do you think having speedstep will set much difference on battery time? It is the main reason why I keep searching for this functionality.

Thanks a lot!

PS: I would gladly donate in a few days, if you give me a paypal account to do so. (keep it opensource!)

Some functionality that might be interesting:
- Keeping the CPU at full throttle when plugged to AC (or not as low as the minimum).

1. coolbook is NOT an speedstep app - it does not use the speedstep (cpu buildin function) insted uses own softwarecode (much more cpu cycles to do the same thing).
2. superhai has now told us that there are 2 constants which can be added into the .plist to change the throttleing.
Look at my post.
Now , with lower added settings superhais is also perfect + has the values in the menü (running control app).
But i think: if both .kexts (superhai + mercurysquad) are well tested and yozu setup superhais by .plist - you DONT need
really an GUI or control app !!

1) Sure, good idea. I'll add that.
2) Not sure what you mean by alignment settings: do you mean the optimization setting? It matters for mostly algorithmic or math-heavy apps. Not so much for this kext.




You can use tuxx's SpeedStep.app to see the current MHz (set it to manual mode so it doesnt try to autothrottle).
For temp, if you have a dell laptop, you can try I8kfanGUI. Can't say about others. I'll try to add a sysctl key for cpu temp in the next version.



1) Yes people are reporting at least 30min extra battery backup with speedstep active. For me the bigger benefit is a cooler CPU.
2) Many thanks. Though I'm not asking for donations yet, some people have expressed interest and I think it's rude to refuse my paypal address is the same as the email mentioned when loading the kext (sudo dmesg).
3) Keeping CPU on full throttle on AC is a matter of individual preference. The user is able to switch to a frequency of his choice via GUI and turn auto-throttle off via commandline. I'm working on a prefernce pane or menubar applet to make this even easier.

Wow, long awaited version!

Damn good peace of code budd, works till now without issues...just copied to s/l/e, set rights, deleted mkext and rebooted, without configuring anything! Auto-throttling rocks without an app, that's the way life ist lol

Keek good coding

THX

Hey i finally got the time to try this and it did stop the fan but my computer is veryyy laggy really slow with sound and all my computer specs are:
Sony fs-980
Intel pentium m 1.73 ghz
Gma900
1gb ram
80gb hd
installed with ideneb 10.5.5
And also i did try voodoo beta 2 but it gave me a kernal panic on the load up
Is there anyway to fix the lag thanks!

Just installed on mine DS4 , seems everything is working well.Mus I check anything (dmesg and something console errors..?)

Now I'm going to try it on my Wind Msi.

Just a question: using for testing the superhai app and kext I need to get the fsb and memorytype at prompt on the wind , with yours can I do it w/out ?

Thanks for ur job :-)

[Edit] hopes help

well..on the msi Wind I got KP few moments later I installed it..maybe I must install it with the system is not running ?
Tried with voodoo_beta2c

Working fine on my Pentium M (725A). The temperature really drop down.
Thanks for your effort.

Look here: http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=130247

oh..thanks , I've watched the whole thread u pointed me.

Than I have understood that we to the point..


..I keep trying a bit with it and wait ahead..

posting a bug on google page for atom on acer aspire one

How did you get yours working on pentium M im having bad lag but it did cut the fan off just cant take that lag

As I said before, you have to use Voodoo kernel to fix this problem on Pentium M. I have the same CPU as you.

i get a kernal panic while trying the voodoo kernel beta 2 am i spose to use another version

From the PDF included with Voodoo beta 2c :

Hope that helps.

Hi Mercury

dou you think I can try to insert different values in the .plist to get the KP solved , or it's useless in Your opinion ?

ok first of all great job, the kext is working just fine but i have some questions. i have an intel core duo 2, T7100, the app displays 3 different states for my cpu 1800, 1200, 800, though it never goes to 800 even if i force it. do u know why? and second of all, the speedstep app quits/crashes quite often, i mean one minute it's there the other it is gone, how can i fix this??

once again great work keep it up

you might need to undervolt it to reach 800mhz

Speedstep app is not needed anymore since v1.4.0 onwards do auto-throttling.

Going below 1 GHz is a bit experimental and I've not tested it properly for FSB more than 133 MHz.

Binary/prebuilt package for Tiger anyone?

Hi,

I am very new to this topic can you please explain what is SpeedStep and Throttle and how does it helps Intel based Hackintosh?

No tiger support yet, sorry. Not worth the time but will do for $10 or larger bounty Source is available for anyone who wants to attempt.



It means changing your cpu's speed and voltage while it is running. Usually it is based on the processor load. Higher load needs higher speed (and thus higher voltage). Sometimes it is also based on temperature, because higher speed means higher temperature, so when temp of cpu goes too high it might be good to put the cpu in a low power state.

This type of throttling helps conserve power and keeps the cpu cool. Like pentium M at full speed consumes 27 W, but at lowest speed it consumes only 7W, using 75% less battery power.

More info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpeedStep

Does this work for T2500 (Core duo 2.0). I know it says 'works for any Intel CPUs that support speedstep', but can anyone confirm?

Mine loads but gives a message saying that there is an error getting the PState array from ACPI. It says to create the P-State table manually.

Can someone kind enough explain what it means and if there's anything that can be done about it? Otherwise, thank you for the KEXT

Try v1.4.5