activity-monitorcpumacbook promacos
The Activity Monitor app says my macbook pro 10.7.5 is at 300% CPU usage when I'm trying to install and sync my Bitcoin-Qt client.
I let in run like this with the fan going crazy for 4 hours without incident, but stressed about it the whole time.
Is that level of CPU usage sustainable? Is this 300% number even accurate to what is going on?
details:
The Macbook Pro 13'' uses integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics. But Intel HD 3000 graphics are used in different processors. The performance varies depending on whether it's a mobile or desktop CPU. You need to read benchmarks with caution:
On notebookcheck.net I've looked up some statistics. They keep benchmarks on how different games perform. I find these real world tests quite useful.
If you follow the link, you can click on the single fps results to see each system configuration.
You should have a minimum of 24-30 fps to enjoy playing. Considering this, I'll say that playing those games on a MBP 13'' of 2011 will possibly work, but not result in the maximum fun :).
This may not be the answer you are looking for but I thought I'd boot it out there just in case. Assuming you have sufficient RAM (6 - 8GB) it might be easier to install Ubuntu (or any Linux dist.) in a virtual Machine. Parallels and VMWare Fusion are the two big commercial virtualization apps, but I have found that the free (and frequently updated) VirtualBox is easier than doing a dual boot system with the added benefits of it being quite easy to have both running at the same time.
As virtualbox is free you could try it and see if it suits your needs...
Best Answer
The thing is that 100% CPU usage refers to a single one of the cores in your CPU being fully loaded (or an equivalent load distributed among all the cores). I assume your MacBook Pro has a dual core CPU with HyperThreading; that's 2 physical cores plus 2 logical cores exposed by HyperThreading. Thus, you could in theory achieve as high as 400% CPU usage (4 cores times 100% each).
As to whether it is sustainable, in principle it should be, if the cooling system is in order and the cooling vents are not clogged with dust or blocked by any objects. Even if it's not and you reach supposedly dangerous temperatures, the CPU should throttle itself to prevent any damage.