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Date: Fri, 31 May 2013 13:20:34 -0400
From: Adam McDougall <mcdouga9@egr.msu.edu>
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To: freebsd-amd64@freebsd.org
Subject: Re: idle process keeping cpu 150% busy in  freebsd 9.1-amd64
References: <51A7B693.8050705@att.net> <201305310836.02815.jhb@freebsd.org>
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On 05/31/13 12:38, Kostas Oikonomou wrote:
> John,
> 
> Thanks.  I am trying your suggestions on my Dell laptop (Intel Core i7,
> 4 cores).
> 
> First off, my /etc/rc.conf already had
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> # powerd: adaptive speed while on AC power, adaptive while on battery power
> powerd_enable="YES"
> powerd_flags="-a hiadaptive -b adaptive" # set CPU frequency
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> and powerd was running.   With that, the output of sysctl was like what
> you sent (the default).
> 
> Now my /etc/rc.conf reads
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> # powerd: adaptive speed while on AC power, adaptive while on battery power
> powerd_enable="YES"
> powerd_flags="-a hiadaptive -b adaptive" # set CPU frequency
> 
> # per John Baldwin email
> performance_cx_lowest=LOW
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take a look at this excellent guide too:

https://wiki.freebsd.org/TuningPowerConsumption