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Asked: 2024-09-24T15:38:03+05:30 In:

How can I adjust the maximum frequency settings for the scaling governor in Linux to a higher value?

I’ve been diving into Linux performance tuning recently, and I stumbled upon something that I just can’t wrap my head around. So, I’ve been using the CPU frequency scaling governors to manage my system’s performance better, but here’s the catch: I want to increase the maximum frequency settings for my scaling governor, but I’m not sure how to go about it.

I’m currently running a pretty standard setup on my Linux machine – Ubuntu 20.04, if that helps. I’ve tried using the `cpufreq-info` command to check the available governors and their settings, and I can see “ondemand” and “performance” options, but I can’t seem to tweak the upper frequency limits for these governors. I’ve read that by default, some governors cap the CPU frequency to conserve power, but I need a bit more juice for my heavy coding sessions and maybe some gaming.

I found a bunch of articles online, talking about tweaking the `/sys` directory, where CPU frequency settings live, but it all feels a bit overwhelming. Am I supposed to just echo the new values into those files? What about permissions? Do I need root access for this? And what if I mess up my system’s performance – how do I revert changes?

Also, I’m a little confused by how to check which governor is currently active and how to switch between them if I need to. I mean, is it as simple as using the `cpupower` command, or is there more to it? Do you guys have any advice or step-by-step guidance on how to precisely adjust these settings to get the maximum frequency bump I need?

And lastly, has anyone done this on a laptop without facing overheating issues? I’ve read horror stories about people frying their CPUs by pushing them too hard. Should I be cautious about heat management while messing with these settings? Any tips or experiences would be super helpful! Thanks!

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    2 Answers



    1. CPU Frequency Scaling on Linux

      Adjusting CPU Frequency Settings on Ubuntu 20.04

      Hey! So, you’re diving into Linux performance tuning, which is super cool! I understand the struggle with CPU frequency scaling governors, especially when you want that extra oomph! Here’s a lowdown on how you can tweak those settings.

      1. Check Your Current Governor

      First things first, you can check which governor you’re currently using with the following command:

      cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_governor

      2. Changing the Governor

      If you want to switch to the “performance” governor (ideal for heavy tasks), you can do it with:

      echo performance | sudo tee /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_governor

      3. Adjusting Max Frequency

      Now, to increase the maximum frequency settings, you’ll be looking in the same `/sys` directory. Check what frequencies are available:

      cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_available_frequencies

      Then, set a new maximum frequency. Make sure you’ve got the right permissions (using sudo), and echo your desired max frequency in:

      echo  | sudo tee /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_max_freq

      Just replace <desired_frequency> with one of the values from the previous command.

      4. Reverting Changes

      If things start going south, you can always revert back to the default settings using the values saved in:

      cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_max_freq

      Just remember to keep the default governor and frequency handy!

      5. Overheating Woes

      Regarding overheating concerns, it’s a valid fear. Using a laptop means you have to be extra cautious. Make sure your cooling system is decent and maybe monitor your CPU temperature with a tool like lm-sensors. It’s always good to keep a close eye on temps when you’re pushing things hard.

      6. Final Tips

      To summarize, yes, you’ll likely need sudo access (root permissions) to apply these changes. When done properly, you shouldn’t fry your system, but monitor your CPU temps. And if it feels hot, dial it back a bit!

      Hope this helps you get that extra performance you’re looking for! Happy coding and gaming!



    2. To increase the maximum frequency settings for your CPU frequency scaling governor on Ubuntu 20.04, you’ll indeed need root access. Initially, use the `cpufreq-info` command to check the available governors and their current settings. You can then switch to a more performance-oriented governor like “performance” by executing `sudo cpupower frequency-set -g performance`. Next, to adjust the maximum frequency, navigate to the directory under `/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/`. Here, you can typically alter the maximum frequency by echoing the new value into the `scaling_max_freq` file. For instance, you can use `echo “max_frequency_value” | sudo tee /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_max_freq`. Make sure you replace `max_frequency_value` with the desired frequency in kHz, and ensure it’s supported by your CPU; otherwise, you’ll see an error. Always check the frequency limits with `cpufreq-info` after making changes to ensure they’re reflected correctly.

      While the approach is straightforward, be cautious with heat management, especially on a laptop. It’s advisable to monitor CPU temperatures while under load using tools like `lm-sensors`, which can help prevent overheating. If you experience instability or excessive heat, you can revert changes by echoing the original maximum frequency value back into the `scaling_max_freq` file. To ensure you have recovery options, consider scripting your changes so that you can easily revert with a single command. Remember that heavily pushing your CPU can lead to thermal throttling if your cooling solution isn’t adequate, so proceed incrementally and monitor performance and temperature throughout the process. Taking these precautions should help you safely optimize for performance without risking damage to your components.


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