High System Idle CPU, but overall, low cpu usage


  1. Posts : 42
    windows 7
       #1

    High System Idle CPU, but overall, low cpu usage


    Hello,

    I know it sounds a little bit strange, but:

    When I open Task manager ->show process from all users, I notice that System Idle is uses about 95% of CPU.
    But the overall cpu usage is lower than 20-30%. How is that possible? (windows 7)

    Also, I have 2 os installed on the same computer. 7 and XP.
    Windows XP 50%CPU load.-> Disable automatic updates=> Low CPU usage.
    If I disable auto updating feature in Windows 7 too, and update it "on demand" weekly would that solve the issue?

    Thank you in advance.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,846
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64, & Mac OS X 10.9.2
       #2

    the easiest way to remove any resource hogs is to:
    click start;
    type run;
    in run type msconfig;
    hit enter;
    click the startup tab;
    untick everything non essential;
    personally I untick everything (youd want to keep your virus scanner though)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4,049
    W7 Ultimate SP1, LM19.2 MATE, W10 Home 1703, W10 Pro 1703 VM, #All 64 bit
       #3

    Indicates Available CPU Power


    "System Idle" indicates how much CPU power is still available for other activities.

    100% "System Idle" indicates that your PC is doing nothing.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 42
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Yes, you're right. It was a newbie question...
    Thanks. Idle means "idle"...
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4,049
    W7 Ultimate SP1, LM19.2 MATE, W10 Home 1703, W10 Pro 1703 VM, #All 64 bit
       #5

    kenobi said:
    Yes, you're right. It was a newbie question...
    Thanks. Idle means "idle"...
    No problems. :)
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #6

    Sorry to ask, but what keeps the "idle" percentage so high when another process is running? Is there a way to allocate more CPU to tasks, so that the CPU is less idle? I get that executing commands can take a while if the CPU is busy, but why would that happen if the CPU is 95% idle?
    Thanks,
    Rich
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5,642
    Windows 10 Pro (x64)
       #7

    Your tasks are using as much CPU time as the programmer of those tasks set them up to use. So no, there is no way to force a task to use more CPU time then it was designed to use.
      My Computer


 

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