CPU Frequency - Maxed Out - Mac Mini 2018

[christophlandon]

Hey guys, I own a i7 6 core 3.2 Ghz Mac mini and I'm concerned about the CPU Core Frequency, under Intel Power Gadget 3.5.5. I use a DigiGrid IOS audio interface and to run it, it needs the SoundGrid Studio application. When I load the app, the Frequency is at a constant 4.30 GHz reading and never moves from there but when I quit the app, it'll fluctuates between 3.2 & 4.2. Having a constant high reading, does this pose a problem, whether immediate or even long term?

Thanks.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Likely that is not a high reading. Your cpu will speed up to a "turbo frequency" when the cpu is needed. I have a laptop with an i5 8400h that runs at 4.0ghz under load although the i5 8400h has a base speed of only 2.3ghz, to increase performance. This is perfectly normal behavior and unless your thermals are over 80 while loading the cpu, this will have no adverse effects to your computer.

 

[christophlandon]

Likely that is not a high reading. Your cpu will speed up to a "turbo frequency" when the cpu is needed. I have a laptop with an i5 8400h that runs at 4.0ghz under load although the i5 8400h has a base speed of only 2.3ghz, to increase performance. This is perfectly normal behavior and unless your thermals are over 80 while loading the cpu, this will have no adverse effects to your computer.

Thanks for the info, remixislandmusic. Glad to hear it has no adverse effects but I'm a bit of a newb with this kind of stuff. When I'm running a few music creation apps, Pro Tools, Vienna Ensemble Pro, etc, The Frequency runs at 4.30 GHz but the temperature fluctuates around 85° & 95* celsius, for hours on end. Apple says this is fine but I'm not sold on it. Any advice? Thx.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Well as my quote says, apple computers tend to run hot. That temperature in theory shouldnt cause any problems immediately, although a lower temperature would be more beneficial to the lifespan of your processor. Since the mac mini is so small, a tiny cooler had to be used on its powerful cpu, causing it to run hot. Since this issue is down to the size of the heatsync and the computer has no room for a better cooler, you have no real fix. Most of apples small laptops and pc run hot. Sometimes, like in the new macbook, the cpu will get so hot at about the boiling point of water at 100c that it has to slow Its clock speeds in order to not overheat and damage itself. This is called thermal throttling. Since your machine is at 85-95c your cpu will still be running as fast as it can and not throttle. Your temperatures are high, but not high enough to be a problem. Since you have no way to fix this, i would just let it be.

 

[christophlandon]

Well as my quote says, apple computers tend to run hot. That temperature in theory shouldnt cause any problems immediately, although a lower temperature would be more beneficial to the lifespan of your processor. Since the mac mini is so small, a tiny cooler had to be used on its powerful cpu, causing it to run hot. Since this issue is down to the size of the heatsync and the computer has no room for a better cooler, you have no real fix. Most of apples small laptops and pc run hot. Sometimes, like in the new macbook, the cpu will get so hot at about the boiling point of water at 100c that it has to slow Its clock speeds in order to not overheat and damage itself. This is called thermal throttling. Since your machine is at 85-95c your cpu will still be running as fast as it can and not throttle. Your temperatures are high, but not high enough to be a problem. Since you have no way to fix this, i would just let it be.

Thanks again, remixislandmusic. Excellent info and advice. Cheers.