For future reference of people googling this problem, the issue is due to the network drivers on certain intel motherboards causing the strange CPU spike pattern.
For future reference of people googling this problem, the issue is due to the network drivers on certain intel motherboards causing the strange CPU spike pattern.
System Manufacturer/Model Number HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops OS Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8 CPU from 1.6GHz Duo to i7 Monitor(s) Displays 2x HP w2207
Keyboard with trackball - no mices Mouse Trackball mice Hard Drives 5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals Internet Speed DSL 6000