guildfor01: Save Processor Cycles By Avoiding iTunes Store

Tuesday 19 July 2011

Save Processor Cycles By Avoiding iTunes Store

Keeping iTunes open doesn't use much in the way of processor power -- unless you've got the source selection set to 'iTunes Store.' You can reduce your processor consumption by simply keeping your selection on something internal (e.g., Podcasts or Music) instead.

I'm always trying to squeeze as much extra power out of my iMac as possible and keep a close eye on the processor usage with the iStat Menus widget. I frequently noticed a particularly high percentage of processor power being allocated to iTunes and couldn't figure out why; I wasn't playing music, downloading videos or using any other functions that could put a load on the processor� or so I thought.

After some experimentation I found that whenever the source (that list of items in the left-hand column) selected was the iTunes Store it caused a significant jump in usage. The only thing I can figure out is that the constant updating of the store's home page, revolving graphics and other real-time functions ...