How To Enable Or Disable Turbo Boost On Your Mac

Turbo Boost is a feature in Intel processors that temporarily increases the processor's clock rate to enhance performance, but it can lead to increased heat and battery drain. To manage this, you can manually control Turbo Boost using a third-party application.

What is Turbo Boost and Its Impact?

Turbo Boost is a technology by Intel that allows the processor to temporarily increase its standard clock rate to boost performance. This feature is beneficial for handling demanding workloads but comes at the cost of higher energy consumption, which can cause your Mac to run hotter and drain the battery faster.

Checking if Your Mac Supports Turbo Boost

Before proceeding, it's essential to verify if your Mac supports Turbo Boost:

1. Check Your Mac's Specifications:
   • Click the Apple logo in the menu bar and select "About This Mac."
   • Copy the full model name of your Mac.
   • Open a browser, paste the model name, and search for it. Visit the Apple Support website to check the "Processor" section. If Turbo Boost is mentioned, your Mac supports it. Note that newer Macs with M1-based chips do not support Turbo Boost.

Downloading and Installing Turbo Boost Switcher

To enable or disable Turbo Boost, you need to use the Turbo Boost Switcher application:

1. Download Turbo Boost Switcher:
   • Go to the official Turbo Boost Switcher website and download the software.
2. Install the Application:
   • Unzip the downloaded file and drag the application to the Applications folder.
   • Double-click the application to open it. You may see a message saying "Turbo Boost Switcher is an app downloaded from the internet. Are you sure you want to open it?" Click "Open" to continue.

Enabling or Disabling Turbo Boost

Once installed, you can easily toggle Turbo Boost on and off:

1. Allow the Application to Run:
   • If you encounter a "Security & Privacy" message, navigate to System Preferences > Security and Privacy, and check the box next to "Anywhere" to allow the application to run.
2. Toggle Turbo Boost:
   • Click on the Turbo Boost Switcher icon in the menu bar. If Turbo Boost is enabled, you will see "Disable Turbo Boost," and if it is disabled, you will see "Enable Turbo Boost." Select the appropriate option to toggle Turbo Boost.
3. Enter Admin Credentials:
   • The first time you toggle Turbo Boost, macOS will ask for your admin username and password. Enter the credentials to proceed.

Advanced Features of Turbo Boost Switcher

The Turbo Boost Switcher offers several advanced features, especially in its Pro version:

1. Auto Disable/Enable:
   • The Pro version allows you to auto-disable Turbo Boost when the battery level is below a certain threshold, when specific apps are launched, or based on CPU temperature and fan speed.
2. Customizable Status Bar:
   • You can fully customize the status bar to display information such as CPU speed and temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.
3. OSX Notifications Integration:
   • The application integrates with OSX notifications, keeping you informed about changes in Turbo Boost status.
4. Monitoring CPU Temperature and Fan Speed:
   • You can monitor CPU temperature and fan speed by clicking on the "Turbo Boost" icon in the top-right corner and selecting "Charts." This helps you analyze how Turbo Boost affects your Mac's performance and temperature.

Additional Tips for Using Turbo Boost Switcher

• Free Updates: The application offers free updates forever, ensuring you have the latest features and improvements.
• Root Password: You only need to enter the root password once to allow the application to make changes to your system.
• Compatibility: Turbo Boost Switcher is compatible with OS X Snow Leopard (version 10.6) or later, including macOS Catalina.

By following these steps and utilizing the advanced features of Turbo Boost Switcher, you can effectively manage Turbo Boost on your Mac to balance performance and energy efficiency.