Windows 7: CPU usage and audio

Cluent · 13 Mar 2010

I have quad-core computer. When listening to MP3s with Windows Audio Player and no other programs running, the CPU Usage monitor shows 10-12% usage. I have an on-board audio card.

Would a dedicated audio card take some of the load off of the CPU?

zigzag3143 · 13 Mar 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Cluent

I have quad-core computer. When listening to MP3s with Windows Audio Player and no other programs running, the CPU Usage monitor shows 10-12% usage. I have an on-board audio card.

Would a dedicated audio card take some of the load off of the CPU?

Probably not. Is 10-12% a problem?

noobvious · 13 Mar 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Cluent

I have quad-core computer. When listening to MP3s with Windows Audio Player and no other programs running, the CPU Usage monitor shows 10-12% usage. I have an on-board audio card.

Would a dedicated audio card take some of the load off of the CPU?

That does seem a little high. I just tried it, with my wallpaper slideshow running to switcxh every 3 minutes, 5 tabs open in Firefox 3.6, and WMP playing an mp3 song, my CPU is fluctuationg from 0-3%, and I only have a dual-core.

However, zigzag brings up a good question....is that really a problem?

Aphelion · 13 Mar 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Cluent

I have quad-core computer. When listening to MP3s with Windows Audio Player and no other programs running, the CPU Usage monitor shows 10-12% usage. I have an on-board audio card.

Would a dedicated audio card take some of the load off of the CPU?

Like others... I'm only showing a 0-2% use playing an mp3 using either Windows Media Player or Winamp.

Since you're using Windows Media Player I can think of two separate "enhancements" that might use CPU.

1. Visualizations can use considerable CPU, Alchemy-Random can suck up 15% of my CPU's resources.

2. Audio Enhancements. Check and see if you have any of WMP's audio effects active. Both "graphic equalizer" and "SRS WOW FX" can use CPU as can changing the play speed.

Ap

Cluent · 14 Mar 2010

You guys are right, to an extent. CPU usage starts out low (0-2%). After I turn on a visualization, the CPU usage goes up and it doesn't go back down after I go back to the normal view. Odd! As for Audio enhancements, I can never find the controls for those when I need them and have given up. It was much easier in the previous versions of Windows Media Player.

Aphelion · 14 Mar 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Cluent

You guys are right, to an extent. CPU usage starts out low (0-2%). After I turn on a visualization, the CPU usage goes up and it doesn't go back down after I go back to the normal view. Odd! As for Audio enhancements, I can never find the controls for those when I need them and have given up. It was much easier in the previous versions of Windows Media Player.

If you have Media Player opening in Library mode, click on the small icon in the lower right, this sets media player to "Now Playing". Right click in the top Window border and you should see a menu with several selections, "Enhancements" is midway down.

Ap

whs · 14 Mar 2010

Enhancements can take a lot of CPU power. Just set "Disable all sound effects" for a test.

Cluent · 14 Mar 2010

[QUOTE=Aphelion;624885]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cluent

If you have Media Player opening in Library mode, click on the small icon in the lower right, this sets media player to "Now Playing". Right click in the top Window border and you should see a menu with several selections, "Enhancements" is midway down.

Why can't I do that from Library mode? Makes no sense.

Aphelion · 14 Mar 2010

[QUOTE=Cluent;625102]

Quote: Originally Posted by Aphelion

Quote: Originally Posted by Cluent

If you have Media Player opening in Library mode, click on the small icon in the lower right, this sets media player to "Now Playing". Right click in the top Window border and you should see a menu with several selections, "Enhancements" is midway down.

Why can't I do that from Library mode? Makes no sense.

Yet another Microsoft Mystery "Feature".....

Ap

Cluent · 14 Mar 2010

So would a dedicated sound card take over the Wow effects and reduce CPU usage?

Windows 7: CPU usage and audio

CPU usage and audio problems?