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CoreFreq

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Spec score 7.8 #11 of 31 in PC Overclocking Software

What it is

CoreFreq is free Linux CPU-monitoring software with BIOS-like controls for 64-bit processors. It reads frequencies, ratios, performance counters, instructions per cycle, C-states, temperature, and documented core-voltage readings. The interface shows processor features, brand and architecture strings, plus a topology map including caches. Its driver exposes controls for Turbo Boost, power management, thermal limits, prefetchers, and hardware-controlled performance states. A daemon and command-line client provide monitoring views and JSON-encoded system information. Listed architectures include Intel and AMD 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. The project is GPL-2.0 licensed and uses shared memory between its kernel module and user-space component. Some virtual machines may hide required registers. Driver signing is required when kernel signature verification is enabled. The interface renders best in ASCII or VT100 terminals.

Spec sheet

Purpose
CoreFreq is CPU monitoring software with BIOS-like functionalities for 64-bit processors.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository identifies the software as GPL-2.0 licensed.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Architecture support
The README lists Intel and AMD processor families, Arm A64, RISC-V RV64, and PowerPC64 LE as supported architectures.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Compatibility limit
The README cautions that some virtual machines do not provide access to registers used by the driver.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Control features
The driver exposes controls for items including Turbo Boost, power management, thermal limits, prefetchers, and hardware-controlled performance states.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installation
The README documents building from source and distribution options including ArchLinux AUR, Gentoo, Debian, Ubuntu, TUXEDO, Fedora, AlmaLinux, and Rocky Linux.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Interfaces
CoreFreq includes a daemon and a command-line client with monitoring views and JSON-encoded system information output.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Linux requirements
The README specifies a Linux kernel version 3.3 or newer and GNU C Library as dependencies.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Module signing
The README says users must sign the driver if kernel module signature verification is enabled.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Monitoring
It retrieves CPU frequencies and ratios, performance counters, instructions per cycle, C-states, temperature, and documented core-voltage readings.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security boundary
The project says its kernel module uses shared memory to protect the kernel from the user-space part of the software.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
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.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Topology
It displays processor features, brand and architecture strings, plus a topology map including caches.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

CoreFreq Free Linux kernel module and user-space client; supported 64-bit processor architectures Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every CoreFreq plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free GPL-2.0 software
  • Monitors frequencies, counters, temperatures, and voltages
  • Supports Intel, AMD, Arm, RISC-V, and PowerPC64 LE
  • Provides CPU tuning controls
  • Outputs JSON system information

Limits

  • Linux kernel 3.3 or newer required
  • Some virtual machines hide required registers
  • Driver signing may be required
  • Narrow terminals can stall the display

Who it suits

CoreFreq suits Linux users who need detailed multi-vendor CPU monitoring and controls from a terminal-based tool.

Verdict

CoreFreq offers broad processor telemetry and tuning through a Linux kernel module and command-line client. Check processor, virtual-machine, kernel-signing, and terminal requirements before installation.

Where Specifiction places it

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