CPU Usage problem

[Fannar]

Hello...

I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit, and it so happens that the CPU usage
spikes from 10% up to 80% down to 30% then to 50% and so on...

It happens quite often so I'm getting troubled, henche this being really annoying. It really doesn't matter what I'm doing if I'm watching a movie
or playing a game, if I'm watching a movie and this happens the movie
lags/freezes for sometime.

My Hardware is the following:

Processor: Intel Core Duo E4500
Motherboard: Gigabyte EP45T-UD3LR
RAM: Mushkin DDR3 2x2GB
Videocard: GeForce 9600GT

Note: I'm using 2 LCD screens if it helps.

So anyone got any recommendations ?

 

[zigzag3143]

something is running in the background like indexing, windows media sharing service, sidebars, etc.

Can you open task manager (right click task bar) click on the process tab and watch what process is using cpu when the cpu spikes. Using the snipping tool (built in type snipping in search) take a screen shot of the task manager and upload it to us

thanks


ken

 

[Fannar]

Wasnt really a spike but i dont think system process thingy should be taking this much usage

Edit: Uhm if i go to a flash page in firefox the cpu usage goes up to 60-80%.

 

[Victek]

Wasnt really a spike but i dont think system process thingy should be taking this much usage

Edit: Uhm if i go to a flash page in firefox the cpu usage goes up to 60-80%.

.
At the moment you snapped this screen the System Idle Process was very high and that's good - it means the processor has a minimal load. Also, looking at the size of the scrollbar on the task manager you have quite a few processes running. I recommend using a program that manages auto-start entries to see if you have unnecessary programs loading.

You may need to use a better process monitor, such as Process Hacker or the Sysinternals Process Monitor, to be able to see exactly what causes the spikes (just Google for these). The standard task manager doesn't show many processes.

 

[Fannar]

Well from what i can read using process hack it's different programs sometimes MSN, sometime VLC and sometime even uTorrent..

 

[zigzag3143]

Fanner

In either snips the only thing using much memor is firefox. It is know to use lots more than what it is on yours. Mine is using 148 meg with just 3 tabs open. My gadget use tha much.

Plus you running 64bit which uses more resources. I dont see a problem. If you can tell us why it is a problem?

ken

 

[Fannar]

I see i just assumed it was a problem cause it was spikeing so much..

 

[zigzag3143]

I see i just assumed it was a problem cause it was spikeing so much..

Could be alot of things maybe you anti virus was running a scan, even mouse movement can make cpu jump. If you want I can walk you thru some other things just for your info. I rally didnt see anything to be concerned. If it works, doesn't hang, or crash, then you are golden.

One thing you can check for you own peace of mind. go into event viewer (event viewer in seach) go to windows log>application tab and just look to see if there are any errors (they have red x in left column). Most errors are not important but cant hurt to look

Hope this helps

Ken

 

[whs]

In the snip you posted there is nothing unusual. But as was said, you should use Process Explorer (click on CPU above - that will show the high CPU users on top).
One of the causes could also be that the system is collecting error data.

 

[Tews]

New technology requires more resources ... Modern computers are equipped with more powerful CPU's and more RAM ... dont be overly concerned when they are used..

 

[Fannar]

New technology requires more resources ... Modern computers are equipped with more powerful CPU's and more RAM ... dont be overly concerned when they are used..

I gather what you all are saying but although it takes more resources etc etc, it shouldn't lag stuff that I'm doing, or should it ?

 

[zigzag3143]

New technology requires more resources ... Modern computers are equipped with more powerful CPU's and more RAM ... dont be overly concerned when they are used..

I gather what you all are saying but although it takes more resources etc etc, it shouldn't lag stuff that I'm doing, or should it ?

It shouldn't as long as you have enough ram, and as long as it doesn't get to and stay @ 100%. Actually you want to have the ram used and the cpu cycles processing. It means you are getting work done

Ken

 

[Tews]

What is your experience that qualifies you to describe this as lag... Is this a performance problem that can be resolved, or just a question in passing... -:huh:

 

[Fannar]

Like i described in my 1st post sometimes there comes a hitch or a lag when im watching something but it doesnt happen everytime the spike occurs..

 

[zigzag3143]

Like i described in my 1st post sometimes there comes a hitch or a lag when im watching something but it doesnt happen everytime the spike occurs..

Im willing to help you diagnose it if you want to spend the time. Is it really annoying, or just a little?

 

[Tews]

Experience has taught me not to get into these types of discussions... Everyone have fun...

Im 10-7

 

[Fannar]

I'll try fiddling around myself, may I pm you if i can't find out what's wrong? ? =)

 

[zigzag3143]

I'll try fiddling around myself, may I pm you if i can't find out what's wrong? ? =)

Sure. we should keep this on the thread so that other ppl can learn from it, but feel free to PM me with specifics

Ken

 

[Genlost3]

Same Problem

I've been having the same problem as Fannar actually. I don't know how his experience compares to mine, but it seems like when I hit this "lag spike", my usage jumps up from anywhere between 80-98%, then does eventually sort of drop if I stop doing everything for ten minutes. But ever process or program I run from there on lags continually, including music, movies, even my internet connection will repeatedly knock itself off. Then trying to reboot afterwards takes a 10 minute period where it attempts to shut down, before labeling it as an improper shutdown and reboot after a "unexpected reboot".

Like he said, this always occurs with random programs, but other times I'll just boot my computer up to get it started while doing something else for five minutes, then come back to find it jumped up to 40-50% with the same amount of lag for having done nothing at all with it. I've tried everything suggested and ideas of my own, but it seems that it's just a hitch in the programming that catches it up sometimes and won't release it.

I should also mention that sometimes I can browse, play games, watch movies, etc. for hours with no problems at all.

Hope this specifies the symptomes more, as I'm really completely out of ideas.

 

[logicearth]

Running any anti-virus or security software of any kind?