Android News
Make your ROOTED Android phone even faster with SetCPU (App Reviews)
March 4, 2010 | by Andrew Kameka
Android Apps
Rooting an Android phone can lead to a never-ending quest to improve your phone and push each device to its limits. One such benefit from root access is the ability to overclock your phone. Overclocking is a tool that increases the speed at which your phone’s processor can operate. The G1 comes with a 528 MHz, but it’s purposely held back from reaching top speed (this increases battery life).
SetCPU is an app that makes it possible to push the G1, and most other Android phones that have root access, closer to its limitations. The app allows users to create profiles that can change the maximum MHz a processor will try to reach. Though this can affect battery life, the beauty of CPU is that it can create profiles that trigger different settings. That means you can reset to the default settings if your battery level dips below 50 percent. Note: You’re also free to set a max speed lower than the default as a way to extend battery life. Only do this if you have no worries about processing speed.
As always when mentioning root, I must note that SetCPU could affect your phone’s stability. Users should always be cautioned that root activities could potentially have a negative effect on their phone. If your phone suddenly begins to stall, restart by pulling the battery out. You use this app at your own peril.
SetCPU is available in the Android Market for $0.99 USD.
Wonder if you could under clock the N1 a little bit to gain a little battery life?
Absolutely. I've been running SetCPU with AdamZ's Smoked Glass ROM for a couple months now. The current limit for overclocking is 1.1GHz, but I'm keeping mine at 800 MHz to keep the heat down, mostly so my battery doesn't die before its time.
To me, though, the most useful aspect of this app is the ability to underclock the CPU when the phone is asleep. One of the profiles mentioned above kicks in when the phone is asleep. When I set the Max and Min processor speeds to 250 MHz (the minimum available), the battery life on my Droid increased dramatically.
@Davest010 that is awesome. When I get either the N1 or the incredible I will have to try it out.
I’m running froyo cm6 RC3 on my G1. Using the profiles feature I can crank the cpu to 528 when needed and down to 122 when asleep. Net result is the same weak battery life, but now at least its 2x faster.
Not only that it helps preserving the juice of my battery by adding a profile. ; )
But I really dont put the level down the bottom I dont want to brick my phone.