2012 Mini running only at 1.6ghz average

[shogokuma]

Hello, I just purchased a refurb on apple.ca (mac mini 2012)
advertised at 2.5ghz turboboost up to 3.1. I ran an Intel gadget log and its only averaging 1.6ghz and for some reason that's making me mad. also booting up photoshop isn't really anything of spectacular speed.

ram 4gb no ssd.

 

[53kyle]

It will slow down to save power. The photoshop slowness only has to do with the HD in your computer - I am assuming here that you don't have an SSD. Your CPU will only use that turbo boost whenever it is really needed, so I wouldn't worry.

 

[shogokuma]

that makes more sense now thank you as im high as **** i was freaking out.

 

[shogokuma]

was not able to attach the screenshot.

 

[CausticPuppy]

Hello, I just purchased a refurb on apple.ca (mac mini 2012)
advertised at 2.5ghz turboboost up to 3.1. I ran an Intel gadget log and its only averaging 1.6ghz and for some reason that's making me mad. also booting up photoshop isn't really anything of spectacular speed.

ram 4gb no ssd.

That's what it's supposed to do. Every modern intel chip will clock down when it's not used in order to save power (keep in mind that the Mini uses notebook chips).

Rest assured that it will clock back up when some processing is needed, in which case it will actually run at the turbo boost frequency unless it gets too hot.

What's the point in running at the full clock speed if the CPU is idle?

And as others have said, your HD is your bottleneck... slap an SSD in that thing and upgrade to at least 8GB memory. That will make a huge difference! If nothing else, just do the memory for now since it's easy and doesn't even require tools.

 

[shogokuma]

totally, thanks for the relief i am definitely looking into an solid state drive but I'm not sure which one to buy.