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Best Cpu Governor For Battery Life (Expert Guide)

    ✅ Fact Checked
    Updated on January 27, 2023
    John Chad, Bachelor Computer Science Degree & Computer Engineering.
    Written by
    John Chad, Bachelor Degree in Computer Science & Computer Engineering.
    Russel Collins
    Fact Checked by
    Russel Collins
    John is a certified IT & Computer Engineer with a Bachelors Degree. He has worked for a International Insurance Company in the IT department before deciding to become a full time blogger to help his readers. Holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from Stanford University.

    Fun Fact
    Did you know that the first CPU, the 4004, was created by Intel in 1971 and had a clock speed of just 108 kHz and could only process 60,000 instructions per second? That’s pretty incredible when you consider that modern CPUs can reach speeds of 5 GHz and can process billions of instructions per second!
    Hey there,

    Are you tired of your phone or laptop running out of battery quickly? Do you want to extend the life of your device’s battery? Well, you’ve come to the right place! One way to do this is by choosing the right CPU governor.

    But what exactly is a CPU governor, you ask? In simple terms, a CPU governor is a software that controls the speed at which your device’s processor runs. This is important because the faster your processor runs, the more power it uses, and the faster your battery drains.

    Now, the question is, which governor is the best for battery life? Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. It depends on your device and how you use it. But, don’t worry, I’ve done the research for you and in this article, I’ll be sharing the most popular governors for battery life and helping you decide which one is best for you. So, stick around and read on to find out!

    1Understanding CPU Governors

    Alright, let’s dive into understanding CPU governors. A CPU governor controls the speed of a computer’s central processing unit (CPU). There are several different types of governors, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. These include:

    Performance – This governor prioritizes performance over power consumption, meaning that the CPU will run at its highest frequency possible. This is great if you’re running resource-intensive tasks such as gaming or video editing, but it can lead to shorter battery life.

    Powersave – This governor prioritizes power consumption over performance, meaning that the CPU will run at its lowest frequency possible. This can help to extend battery life, but it may result in slower performance.

    Conservative – This governor is a balance between performance and power consumption. It gradually increases the CPU frequency as more processing power is needed, and gradually decreases it when less is needed. This can help to balance performance and battery life.

    How do governors work to control CPU frequency? Well, they work by adjusting the clock speed of the CPU, which is measured in hertz (Hz). The higher the frequency, the faster the CPU will run. Governors use different algorithms to decide when to increase or decrease the clock speed, based on the type of governor and the specific device.

    Now, the impact of governors on battery life is an important consideration. As mentioned earlier, performance governors prioritize performance over power consumption, which can lead to shorter battery life. On the other hand, powersave governors prioritize power consumption over performance, which can help to extend battery life. And conservative governors try to strike a balance between performance and power consumption, which can also help to extend battery life.

    It’s worth noting that the specific impact on battery life will depend on the device and how it’s being used. It’s a good idea to experiment with different governors to see which one works best for your specific device and usage habits.

    So basically, governors play a crucial role in controlling CPU frequency and they can have a significant impact on battery life. It’s important to understand the different types of governors and how they work in order to make an informed decision about which one to use. So, go ahead and experiment with different governors to find the one that works best for you.

    2Best CPU Governors for Battery Life

    Okay, let’s talk about the best CPU governors for battery life. As you may know, a CPU governor controls the speed of a computer’s central processing unit (CPU). There are several different types of governors, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. These include:

    Performance – Prioritizes performance over power consumption, meaning that the CPU will run at its highest frequency possible. This is great if you’re running resource-intensive tasks such as gaming or video editing, but it can lead to shorter battery life.

    Powersave – Prioritizes power consumption over performance, meaning that the CPU will run at its lowest frequency possible. This can help to extend battery life, but it may result in slower performance.

    Conservative – A balance between performance and power consumption. It gradually increases the CPU frequency as more processing power is needed, and gradually decreases it when less is needed. This can help to balance performance and battery life.

    Now, when it comes to battery life, the most popular governors are the powersave and the conservative governors. These governors are known for their ability to significantly extend battery life without sacrificing too much performance.

    When comparing the performance and battery life of each governor, it’s important to consider the specific device and usage. For example, if you’re using a high-end device with a powerful processor, the performance governor may be the best option as it will allow you to take full advantage of the device’s capabilities. On the other hand, if you’re using an older device with a weaker processor, the powersave or conservative governors will be a better choice as they will help to extend battery life.

    In general, my recommendation would be to try out both the powersave and conservative governors and see which one works best for your device and usage habits. It’s always a good idea to experiment with different governors to find the one that strikes the right balance between performance and battery life for you.

    3How to Change the CPU Governor

    Alright, so you’re looking to change your CPU governor, huh? Well, you’re in the right place. First, let’s go over the different types of governors you can choose from.

    Performance: This governor prioritizes performance over battery life, meaning your device will run at its highest frequency all the time. This isn’t recommended if you’re looking to save battery life.

    Powersave: This governor prioritizes battery life over performance, meaning your device will run at its lowest frequency all the time. This might not be the best option if you’re looking for the best performance.

    Conservative: This governor is a balance between performance and battery life. It increases the frequency gradually instead of jumping straight to the highest frequency. This is a good option if you’re looking for a balance.

    Now, let’s talk about how governors work. They control the CPU frequency, which is the rate at which the CPU processes data. The higher the frequency, the more power it consumes. So, depending on the governor you choose, your device will run at a different frequency and therefore, consume different amounts of power.

    As for the impact of governors on battery life, it’s simple. The more power your device consumes, the faster your battery will drain. So, if you’re looking to save battery life, you should choose a governor that prioritizes battery life over performance.

    Popular governors for battery life:

    1. Interactive: This governor is a balance between performance and battery life. It adjusts the frequency dynamically based on the usage.
    2. Ondemand: This governor adjusts the frequency based on the usage and only increases it when needed.
    3. Conservative: This governor increases the frequency gradually, as mentioned before.

    When it comes to changing the governor, the process is different for Android devices and Linux-based systems.

    For Android devices:
    1. Root your device.
    2. Download an app like “SetCPU” or “CPU Tuner”.
    3. Use the app to change the governor.

    For Linux-based systems:
    1. Open the terminal.
    2. Type “sudo cpufreq-set -g (governor)” (without the parentheses).
    3. Press enter.

    Tips for optimizing battery life:
    1. Use a governor that prioritizes battery life over performance.
    2. Lower the screen brightness.
    3. Turn off features you’re not using.
    4. Close unnecessary apps.

    And there you have it. Now you know how to change the CPU governor and optimize battery life. Give it a try and you’ll see the difference it makes.

    FAQ

    Which CPU governor is best for battery life?

    The best CPU governor for battery life is the powersave governor. It is designed to keep the CPU operating at the lowest possible frequency, which in turn reduces power consumption and prolongs battery life. This governor is particularly useful for devices that are not running demanding tasks, such as smartphones and laptops. However, it is important to note that using the powersave governor may result in a reduction in performance. It is recommended to use this governor when you are not actively using the device or when you are running light tasks.

    Which CPU governor is best for gaming?

    The best CPU governor for gaming is the “performance” governor. This governor prioritizes performance over power consumption, ensuring that your device’s CPU runs at its maximum frequency at all times. This is especially important for gaming, as it allows for smoother and more responsive gameplay.

    It’s important to note that choosing the “performance” governor may result in lower battery life, so it’s best to use this setting when your device is plugged in or you’re able to charge it regularly.

    Other governors such as “powersave” or “conservative” prioritize power savings over performance, which may lead to a less smooth gaming experience. These governors are better suited for non-gaming tasks or when you want to extend your device’s battery life.

    In summary, if you want the best gaming experience on your device, the “performance” governor is the way to go. But, if you prioritize battery life over performance, it’s best to use other governors.

    How do I set my CPU governor to performance permanently?

    To set your CPU governor to performance permanently, you will need to edit the “governor” parameter in the system’s CPU governor settings file.

    Here are the steps for Ubuntu and Ubuntu-based distributions:

    1. Open the terminal and type sudo nano /etc/default/cpufrequtils to open the file.

    2. Look for the line GOVERNOR=”ondemand” and replace ondemand with performance.

    3. Press CTRL + X and then press Y to save the changes.

    4. Restart your system for the changes to take effect.

    The steps for changing the governor on other linux distributions may vary slightly.

    It’s worth noting that performance governor consumes more power than others which may have an impact on battery life. This setting is best used when you need the highest possible performance and power usage is not a concern. It’s also worth noting that on some systems performance governor may not be available.

    What is performance CPU governor?

    The performance CPU governor is a governor that sets the CPU frequency to the highest possible value at all times. This can lead to better performance but also higher power consumption. In general, this governor is suitable for use cases where maximum performance is required, such as gaming or running resource-intensive applications.
    It is important to note that this governor may not be suitable for all devices and usage scenarios. It is best to monitor power usage and temperature while using this governor to ensure that the device is not overheating or consuming too much power.

    5Conclusion

    Lastly, it’s clear that choosing the right CPU governor can have a big impact on your device’s battery life. You’ve learned about the different types of governors, such as performance, powersave, and conservative, and how they work to control CPU frequency. You’ve also seen the impact that these governors can have on battery life, as well as the most popular options for those looking to extend their device’s battery life.

    When it comes to making a choice, it’s important to consider your device and usage habits. For example, if you’re a heavy user who needs maximum performance, a governor like performance may be the way to go. But if you’re looking to conserve battery, a governor like powersave or conservative may be a better fit.

    You’ve also learned how to change the governor on both Android devices and Linux-based systems, as well as tips for optimizing battery life through governor settings. Remember, you can always experiment with different governors to see what works best for you. With the right governor, you can give your device the boost it needs to power through your day. So don’t be afraid to tweak those settings, and enjoy the extra battery life that comes with it!