What should I do when cpu usage is high.

On my laptop I usually keep the 'balanced' profile activated in power options. I've made some changes to it and put maximum processor state: 60%
minimum processor state is 5% (I'm not sure if 5% was default or I've changed it).

Sometimes when I'm doing cpu intensive works, cpu usage goes as high as 70% and sometimes even 80%+. So, what I'm worried about is should I switch to some other power profile at that particular time since my default power plan restricts my cpu at 60%? Does it put too much of load on my cpu when it works at 70%+ while my power plan restricts the processor state to 60%?

I understand when my cpu usage shows 70%, it means it uses 70% of the 60% allowed to it?

I have to ask the obvious question. Why do you want to limit the cpu? It will not make it last longer, but will slow you down alot.

Is there a specific reason you do want to?

zigzag3143 said:

I have to ask the obvious question. Why do you want to limit the cpu? It will not make it last longer, but will slow you down alot.

Is there a specific reason you do want to?

I thought it extends my battery life. So it doesn't?

It does extend battery life. Will you be away from AC power long enough for it to matter?

It may extend battery life but it also cuts performance by the same amount so it takes you longer to do things. IN effect a washout.

If battery life is an issue there are new technology batteries (9 cells 12 cells) that can give you as much as you need.

What kind of tasks do you do (ie browsing, email, etc)?

Most of the time I don't use much cpu power. Even with a 60% limit on the processor state my cpu usage stays below 20%, but certain times when I need more power but forget to change the power profile, I see processor state over 70%. So I just want to know if it will put any stress on my cpu? If it does, then I'll change the max processor state back to 100% else things are pretty alright since I dont need much of the cpu power most of the time.
If I'm doing something actively and see it's lagging a bit, I do change the power profile but problem is when I forget about it just to find cpu usage is 70% when I minimise everything (I use a windows gadget to see cpu usage). So, does it put too much stress on my cpu? If it does, I 'll change back to 100% processor state otherwise I don't really need that extra power and can change power profile only when I see slow downs or need to do something faster.

I want to add one thing, when I'm on some other power profile, I see cpu usage below 7% sometimes, is it really good for my cpu like not much load on it, etc? If so, I'll change back to 100% processor state.

me12 said:

Most of the time I don't use much cpu power. Even with a 60% limit on the processor state my cpu usage stays below 20%, but certain times when I need more power but forget to change the power profile, I see processor state over 70%. So I just want to know if it will put any stress on my cpu? If it does, then I'll change the max processor state back to 100% else things are pretty alright since I dont need much of the cpu power most of the time.
If I'm doing something actively and see it's lagging a bit, I do change the power profile but problem is when I forget about it just to find cpu usage is 70% when I minimise everything (I use a windows gadget to see cpu usage). So, does it put too much stress on my cpu? If it does, I 'll change back to 100% processor state otherwise I don't really need that extra power and can change power profile only when I see slow downs or need to do something faster. It doesnt put any additional stress on the cpu.

I want to add one thing, when I'm on some other power profile, I see cpu usage below 7% sometimes, is it really good for my cpu like not much load on it, etc? If so, I'll change back to 100% processor state.

Here is the deal. Your cpu has a mean time between failure (how long before it breaks) of 20,000 hours. That means if you left it on 24x7 @ 100 % CPU it will be years before you might have a problem. It wont be any more or any less if you run it @ 10% CPU.

Dont worry about it. Just use it.