To max out userspace CPU time
yes > /dev/nullTo max out kernel CPU time
cat /dev/zero > /dev/nullI don't own a dual-processor system, but I'm curious what the effect is.
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Okay, to be completely honest, I don't know why anyone would want this, but I found a simple way to (nearly) max out your machine's CPU usage. Perhaps it could be used to artificially load your system while testing to see how other apps perform under duress. Use some sort of CPU usage tool (like CPU Monitor) to watch the effect. Ctrl-C or close the Terminal window to stop.
To max out userspace CPU time yes > /dev/nullTo max out kernel CPU time cat /dev/zero > /dev/nullI don't own a dual-processor system, but I'm curious what the effect is.
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Results on a Dual 533
On my dual 533 yes > /dev/null command took about 50% or so of the proccessor time from each cpu. The cat /dev/zero > /dev/null command seemed to only take about 15% from each... In both situations the machine was still very responsive...
or run OS X on a G3
I don't really need this hint as I run OS X on a 450 G3. I use CPU Monitor, and it will let me know when I have tapped out the cpu. This happens 3 or 4 ties a day.
Why would you use this?
I just have one question. How is this a MacOS X hint?
This is something that will work on any *nix system, and really doesn't seem to hold any real value to the average user (unless I am completely unaware of some group of people who like their computer to run slow). Perhaps what this site needs is a "Stupid Computer Tricks" section, or something...
Why would you use this?
hey no flames please!
Testing...
I used it last night to see what would happen with iMovie rendering an effect, iTunes playing, and the CPU struggling ... amazingly enough, not much happened at all! But mainly it's a mildly amusing diversion.
Why would you use this?
I was having problems with my machine crashing on high loads. This hint would have helped me immensely when I wanted to artificially increase CPU loads to troubleshoot. (Ended up Dual 1Ghz was overheating. Silver thermal compound on CPU's solved issue)
Why would you use this?
I'm currently working on an iMac that presents an issue only when the CPU is under heavy load. This hint makes it a snap to reproduce the problem. I for one would like to thank the original poster for this hint.
yea it's useful
I've got one of those bum heatsink screws that i've not gotten around to replacing. Right now, to prevent my machine from crashing, i just run it with one processor. This hint would be a useful for testing purposes; i could make the computer crunch crunch crunch, and watch it (not) crash. Haven't tried it yet though.
PowerMate+CeePeeYou = Disco!
Okay, so I may have actually found a marginally useful(?) application for this hint -- tonight I got a Griffin PowerMate USB knob ('blue throbby-thing') and was thrilled to find that it works with a favorite haxie of mine: Unsanity's CeePeeYou menubar CPU load monitor. Basically, CeePeeYou can be configured to flash the PowerMate's blue LED at a rate that corresponds to the current CPU usage. The heavier the system load, the faster the light flashes. I wanted to see what it would look like under max load. Well, using this hint, I got the PowerMate flashing like a strobe light!
Dual CPU
Just run yes > /dev/null twice (in two terminals or put one in background (CTRL-Z bg) and start another)
Totally useful
I have a problem with one of the fans on my PowerBook. I needed to find a way to heat up the CPU to cause the fans to turn on to hear the wonderful cruching noises the fan makes. Exactly what I was searching for. Thanks for the hint.
Max your CPU usage for ... some reason?
Thanks for the hint. I am sick in bed today and the heat is not working too well in the apartment. My powerbook is freezing cold in the morning, since it sleeps in my cold room at night, and I wanted to warm it up as fast as possible to put it in my lap as a portable heater and so I could check my email, etc.. |
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