I want to limit CPU usage...

[Mulenmar]

Hey, folks. I'm wondering if there is a way to cap the total CPU power available for the entire system -- not just a thread or process, which is all I can find info on.

Why would I want to do this? Well, I have a friend who's computer has a bottom-end Pentium 3 and only 128MB memory. I want to test configurations for it on a, shall we say, less dinosaurific computer . I know how to limit the memory at the kernel level via mem=128M, and theoritically can simulate the slower hd through hdparm tweaks, but I need to be able to limit the amount of cpu power available to get an idea of how performance would be.

Thx in advance!

Oh, and I realize this is more a general Linux question, so please move it if it's better for it to be somewhere else. I'm just using Debian for the experiment.

[DrakeMagi]

Antix will run on a pentium 3 . It debian base and have lite window manger icewm , Fluxbox . I have install Lxde from synaptic which also install openbox and I install fvwm-crystal. I run it on my p3 600mhz 328 ram 16 bit graphics .
It runs fast not sluggish.

Min ram 128. uses debian repositories .
iso size 430 M and it livecd

[Mulenmar]

Well, thanks for that DrakeMagi 8~) But I was looking for a way to prevent the kernel/os from using more than a certain amount of cpu frequency, etc.

I'm really good at making a mini-Debian, I just need to be able to test it on my computer to see if it's mini enough for my friends.

[ericrun]

I use the instructions here: Techno Wizah: Debian HOW-TO : CPU power management

I use the ondemand, which automatically uses the least amount of processor while never under utilizing your processor.

Powersave would restrict the system to use the lowest processor speed the manufacturer allows. The instructions included allow you to adjust on the fly with command line commands, so you can adjust what you're doing when you are working (using apt to configure changes), then switch to powersave mode for testing, then back again without having to reboot. Great stuff.

[Mulenmar]

[QUOTE=ericrun;695360I use the ondemand, which automatically uses the least amount of processor while never under utilizing your processor.

Powersave would restrict the system to use the lowest processor speed the manufacturer allows. The instructions included allow you to adjust on the fly with command line commands, so you can adjust what you're doing when you are working (using apt to configure changes), then switch to powersave mode for testing, then back again without having to reboot. Great stuff.[/QUOTE]

Not sure if it counts as true irony or not, but I read this when I was visiting to say I had discovered this very thing! Thanks very much. It won't slow the processor to anywhere near where I need it to, only to 1 GHz instead of the ~500mHz (or was it less?) of my friend's computer, but maybe I can find a vm program to make up the difference.

[rojoblandino]

I think, what you are looking for is this:
CPU limit

It is the most close that i know for your question, you can make a script to get the pids of your system and then pass them to cpulimit and limit all your process to a percent of use.

Ok have fun!