Chosen Solution
Someone on IRC claimed that running Linux on your Mac may cause CPU damage. The reason for this, he claims, is that Linux lacks a proper SMC driver which causes the CPU to be overvolted. Is this true? It seems like FUD to me.
No, I myself have run linux just fine over boot camp as well as hundreds and thousands of others out there. It’s a regular and not at all risky process. Safer than installing windows :).
No, with macs especially, all of the CPU voltages and frequencies are strictly controlled by the computer’s firmware. Also, CPU’s can’t really be damaged, they either are dead, or they work, nothing in-between. I have ran Linux on my Powermac G4 MDD for almost a year, and my Mac mini (Via VirtualBox) for a few weeks, and they both seem like they are running just like normal.
This is rather old and I was wondering if the information here is still valid. I’m not sure what models it concerns, but someone recently claimed that new Mac’s (not sure if they’re on the market yet) have a proprietary power management chip that doesn’t have autonomy (as in, it depends on software/drivers to control it and without those won’t change (most importantly reduce) voltages when required (kernel-based pre-emptive micromanagement)). He also stated the CPU itself is autonomous in this regard, so one wouldn’t be hurting the CPU, but it’s supporting circuitry would remain on too high a voltage and might be damaged easily. I find it vague at best and have a hard time finding more about it. But pretty curious :) Update (02/20/2018) Apparently, he’s been claiming it for 8 years or so. https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?…
