For using the ondemand scaler you need to load the cpufreq_ondemand module.
# load module for current session sudo modprobe cpufreq_ondemand # and add it permanently to booting sequence sudo echo cpufreq_ondemand >> /etc/modules BTW: the ondemand scaler gives me around 10°C cooler system (47 against 58 with performance scaler, which seems default for the ubuntu kernel). The fan is most times off, which also causes a better battery runtime. -- laptop overheats when performing CPU intensive tasks. https://launchpad.net/bugs/22336 -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs