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CoreFreq
What it is
CoreFreq is free, GPL-2.0 CPU monitoring software for Linux and self-hosted systems. It combines a kernel module, daemon, and command-line client to show processor frequencies and ratios, performance counters, instructions per cycle, C-states, temperature, and documented core-voltage readings. The interface also presents processor features, brand and architecture strings, plus a topology map that includes caches. Driver controls cover items such as Turbo Boost, power management, thermal limits, prefetchers, and hardware-controlled performance states. Monitoring views and JSON-encoded system information are available through the client. Listed architecture support includes Intel and AMD processor families, Arm A64, RISC-V RV64, and PowerPC64 LE. Requirements include Linux kernel 3.3 or newer and GNU C Library. Installation can use source builds or packages for several distributions. Shared memory separates the kernel module from user-space software. The project notes virtual-machine register limitations, driver-signing requirements when verification is enabled, and terminal display issues below 80 columns. The listed plan is free.
For and against
For
- Free GPL-2.0 software
- Detailed frequency, temperature, and counter readings
- Controls for Turbo Boost and power settings
- JSON system information output
- Supports multiple CPU architectures
Against
- Linux kernel 3.3 or newer required
- Some virtual machines lack required registers
- Driver signing may be required
- Narrow terminals can stall the display
The verdict
CoreFreq provides broad processor monitoring and low-level controls at no cost. Its kernel-module setup, terminal requirements, and virtual-machine caveat matter for deployment planning.
Who it suits
CoreFreq suits Linux users who need detailed CPU telemetry and tuning controls across multiple processor architectures. It is also aimed at self-hosted users comfortable with kernel modules and command-line interfaces.
Plans and prices
CoreFreq
Linux kernel module and user-space client; supported 64-bit processor architectures
Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Architecture support
- The README lists Intel and AMD processor families, Arm A64, RISC-V RV64, and PowerPC64 LE as supported architectures.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The README cautions that some virtual machines do not provide access to registers used by the driver.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Control features
- The driver exposes controls for items including Turbo Boost, power management, thermal limits, prefetchers, and hardware-controlled performance states.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README documents building from source and distribution options including ArchLinux AUR, Gentoo, Debian, Ubuntu, TUXEDO, Fedora, AlmaLinux, and Rocky Linux.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Interfaces
- CoreFreq includes a daemon and a command-line client with monitoring views and JSON-encoded system information output.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies the software as GPL-2.0 licensed.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Linux requirements
- The README specifies a Linux kernel version 3.3 or newer and GNU C Library as dependencies.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Module signing
- The README says users must sign the driver if kernel module signature verification is enabled.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Monitoring
- It retrieves CPU frequencies and ratios, performance counters, instructions per cycle, C-states, temperature, and documented core-voltage readings.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- CoreFreq is CPU monitoring software with BIOS-like functionalities for 64-bit processors.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Security boundary
- The project says its kernel module uses shared memory to protect the kernel from the user-space part of the software.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Terminal requirement
- The README says the interface renders best in an ASCII console or an Xterm with VT100 support and notes that the display can stall in terminals narrower than 80 columns.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Topology
- It displays processor features, brand and architecture strings, plus a topology map including caches.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
