How to use the command 'turbostat' (with examples)

Turbostat is a powerful command-line utility used to monitor and report detailed statistics about a computer’s processor. It provides insights into the processor’s topology, frequency, temperature, power, and idle states, making it an essential tool for system administrators and performance analysts aiming to understand CPU performance and thermal behavior.

Use case 1: Display statistics every 5 seconds

Code:

sudo turbostat

Motivation:

Regularly monitoring CPU statistics at short intervals allows for real-time insights into performance metrics. This is especially useful in identifying temporary spikes in workload or diagnosing performance issues as they occur, offering a dynamic view which is essential for troubleshooting.

Explanation:

• sudo: Requires administrative privileges to access detailed hardware statistics.
• turbostat: This command runs the tool, which by default, refreshes and displays the data every 5 seconds. The default interval is ideal for balance between frequency and system load.

Example output:

    PkgWatt   Busy%   Bzy_MHz    
     15.08     12.81    2800    
     14.92     12.49    2760    

Use case 2: Display statistics every specified amount of seconds

Code:

sudo turbostat -i n_seconds

Motivation:

Customizing the interval to suit the needs of your analysis can lead to more tailored data collection. For instance, longer intervals (like 60 seconds) can be more apt for long-term observation in a production environment to track gradual changes without overwhelming users with too much data.

Explanation:

• sudo: Provides the necessary permissions to execute the command.
• turbostat: Initiates the execution of the tool.
• -i n_seconds: This flag allows the user to specify a custom interval (n_seconds) for data refresh. By setting this, users can manage the granularity of their monitoring to match specific needs.

Example output:

(For -i 10 as an example interval)

    PkgWatt   Busy%   Bzy_MHz    
     17.23     14.33    2901    
     15.47     12.61    2804   

Use case 3: Do not decode and print the system configuration header information

Code:

sudo turbostat --quiet

Motivation:

Streamlining data output by omitting configuration headers can enhance readability, especially when data is being logged for a quick review or real-time presentations. This helps in focusing directly on the key performance metrics without clutter.

Explanation:

• sudo: Grants access to sensitive hardware parameters.
• turbostat: Executes the tool.
• --quiet: Suppresses the system configuration headers from the output. This creates a cleaner and more focused data set which can be streamlined whereas necessary.

Example output:

    PkgWatt   Busy%   Bzy_MHz    
     16.00     13.77    2900    
     15.62     13.02    2775   

Use case 4: Display useful information about CPU every 1 second, without header information

Code:

sudo turbostat --quiet --interval 1 --cpu 0-CPU_thread_count --show "PkgWatt","Busy%","Core","CoreTmp","Thermal"

Motivation:

For intensive real-time observation or when dealing with specific CPU cores, this command variant narrows down the monitoring to essential metrics on a more immediate real-time basis, ensuring analysts obtain the most relevant data swiftly and succinctly.

Explanation:

• sudo: Enables necessary access to CPU statistics.
• turbostat: Runs the tool.
• --quiet: Eliminates header information for a more concise output.
• --interval 1: Sets the data refresh time to one second for real-time monitoring.
• --cpu 0-CPU_thread_count: Specifies which CPU threads to monitor; a useful feature in multi-core systems.
• --show "PkgWatt","Busy%","Core","CoreTmp","Thermal": Filters the output to display only selected metrics, enabling targeted and efficient monitoring.

Example output:

    PkgWatt   Busy%   Core CoreTmp   
      14.88    11.11   0     45°C    
      15.01    11.25   1     46°C    

Use case 5: Display help

Code:

turbostat --help

Motivation:

Accessing the help section is essential for beginners who want to understand the full capacities and usage of turbostat. It serves as a quick reference guide and aids in learning about various options and flags available.

Explanation:

• turbostat: Invokes the turbostat tool.
• --help: Displays a comprehensive list of command options and explains their use. This is crucial for users wanting to familiarize themselves with the command’s capabilities or recall specific flags.

Example output:

Usage: turbostat [OPTIONS] [interval [count]]
Options:
 --help  Show this help message.
...

Conclusion:

The turbostat command is an invaluable tool for analyzing and monitoring CPU performance metrics. By mastering its various configurations and options, users can obtain precise, real-time insights into the processor’s operational characteristics, enabling them to effectively manage and troubleshoot performance-related issues on their systems. The examples provided showcase the versatility of turbostat, making it an essential component in the toolkit of every system administrator or performance engineer.