Solved Constant CPU Usage - Have tried so many things

[voide]

Hey Guys,
I'm going insane over here. I initially noticed today that my PC fan was running like there was a load on the CPU. After looking at the task manager, I found out the CPU had a very constant usage of about 40% when everything was closed and the cursor had that little circle by it the entire time like it was waiting for a process. I went into processes and closed just about everything I could possibly close and it was still a constant 30-40% on all 4 cores (I have a Phenom II X4 965). First thing I tried was a restart and that works for about 5-10 minutes. After that, something starts up and the 30-40% CPU utilization comes back. I scan for viruses and malware with Security Essentials and Malwarebytes (only two programs I use) and they both find nothing.

So I started doing tons of google-foo on just about every process I can find on the top of the usage charts/resource monitor. I find a forum suggesting it was Security Essentials so I uninstalled it, nothing. Forum suggesting it was Windows Defender so I disabled it, nothing. I found forums suggesting to do this and that with no avail. I did a system restore to a point a few days back and it still happens. I checked the memory and the hard disk for errors and both passed. I literally cannot figure out how to solve this beyond just doing a format and reinstall, which I don't want to do if possible. I have quite a bit of stuff on this computer that I'd like not to have to lose or move around.

I appreciate any help I can get...I have never encountered an issue that I couldn't fix with a good Google search term, but after putting in around 5 hours troubleshooting this, I need some suggestions. I've attached an image of my resource monitor for anybody that's curious, if that helps. Thanks again.

 

[richc46]

Scan with Malwarebytes
Run a full antivirus scan. Although you said that you did this. Update and try it again
Scan with Eset online. This is really a good one finds a lot.
Then when in task manager, be sure that the box that says show for all users is checked in lower left.
If that does not help try a clean boot
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html

 

[whs]

I see an unusual amount of DPCs. Run this program and see whether you get red spikes.

DPC Latency Checker

 

[Tookeri]

It would help to sort on the CPU column to find out if there's any specific process that takes much CPU

 

[whs]

It would help to sort on the CPU column to find out if there's any specific process that takes much CPU

He sorted on the 'average CPU' which is actually more telling.

 

[Tookeri]

Ah thanks, missed that. I thought it was strange that no one hadn't suggested it, but better safe than sorry

 

[voide]

Update: So this is fairly embarrassing. I ended up checking to see if I had any windows updates and there was 1 urgent and 3 optional so I had windows install all of them. After a reboot and a full day with it, it seems like everything is back to normal. I guess it's a good reminder to check all of the little things first...

Thanks for all the help, guys!