CPU temperature using sysctl

Question

I'm trying to get CPU temperature from the terminal using sysctl.

Command:

sysctl machdep.xcpm.cpu_thermal_level

Output:

machdep.xcpm.cpu_thermal_level: 0

But the given temperature is not correct(Original temperature is: 51c).

How does the temperature is calculated by sysctl? Sometimes the temperature is 0.

Why the temperature is wrong?

Thank you.

cnd · Accepted Answer · 2020-11-05 23:27:08Z

3

I think that's the CPU throttling, not temp - see here: -

This shows your temps:-

sudo powermetrics --samplers smc

answered Nov 5, 2020 at 23:27

cnd

1663 bronze badges

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Finally, after 4 years a new user answered this question.
– SkrewEverything
Commented Nov 9, 2020 at 16:47
the answer works. The idea that it's CPU throttling is looking less and less likely, so we (and everyone else on the web that I've found so far) still don't know what that number really means. It does seem to go up as you wake your machine from sleep I've noticed...
– cnd
Commented Nov 10, 2020 at 20:29

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