Need help finding out what's consuming CPU cycles

[cdubea]

Hi all,

I've got a Dell Precision M6400 laptop running 64 bit Win7 SP1. Hardware wise, it has a Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q9100 running a 2.26 Mhz, 6 gB RAM, 350 gB main drive and a 500 gB secondary drive.

Rounding out the goodies is a Nvidia Quadro FX 2700 M graphics card. I've updated the video driver last week to the latest available on Nvidia's site.

This machine was bought primarily as a semi-portable SolidWorks workstation. Until recently it has done a great job at that.

In the last couple of weeks (hard to pinpoint exactly when this started) at a regular time of day (approximately 7:30 p.m.) this machine slows to a crawl. Pulling up task manager indicates all four processors at 80%-90% utilization. Even simple tasks, like typing text into a web text box lags incredibly. Trying to use SolidWorks is futile. Make a click, wait 20-30 seconds, make a click wait 20-30 seconds.

I'd accrued a lot of crap on the machine so I went on a binge and uninstalled (using Revo Uninstaller) everything that wasn't absolutely necessary and that I had installed in the last month or two.

Running the performance tool from Control Panel-> Performance Information and Tools yields a 6+ score when whatever isn't running and a 1.3 when it is running.

Spelunking through the processes tab on task manager indicates nothing hogging significant cycles, but the graphs show all being heavily utilized. I downloaded process hacker and ran that and tells me pretty much what Task Manager does as well.

I've run Crap Cleaner several times, AntiMalwarebytes a couple of times, done a complete virus scan (I use MSE) all coming up negative. I opened a command window and ran the system file checker (sfc /scannow) and it found nothing.

I think there is a zombie running because if I disconnect my Ethernet cord the and run the performance thing, the cpu scores return to normal.

Any hints on finding out what's stealing cpu cycles? At this point I'm thinking a scorched earth solution with a drive format and Windows reinistall, but that is not a trivial process and I would like to exhaust all other.

Thanks in advance.

chris

 

[cdubea]

Another oddity, the WEI for Aero Graphics is consistently 2.9. It used to score much higher than that.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[mjf]

Run Resource Monitor by typing it in the start field.
You can also download "Process Explorer" from Sysinternals which is a bit more capable.

 

[DustSailor]

I noticed on a particularly slow machine that windows update itself would hog resources. could be your computer auto-updating?

When it happens, look in task manager for processes taking lots of power. if fact, check it now. make sure all processes from all users is selected, like this:

 

[zigzag3143]

Another oddity, the WEI for Aero Graphics is consistently 2.9. It used to score much higher than that.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Might be directX. Download Details - Microsoft Download Center - DirectX End-User Runtime

 

[cdubea]

Ack. Finally discovered the problem. CPU/GPU throttling due to heat buildup. Flashed to the latest BIOS available for this machine (which allegedly resolves the problem) and have had 4 "critical temperature shutdown" events.

Not good.

I will look around to see if there is a solution.

thanks to all who helped.

chris

 

[mjf]

You can monitor your CPU temps with
Core Temp
Real Temp - This will also let you load up the CPU in a controlled way to monitor temps. It will also give GPU temps.

SIW - Will also give you data on your CPU, GPU

A dust cleanout of cooling vents and a cooling pad may help the laptop.

 

[DustSailor]

you might also consider re-applying the thermal paste to the cpu/cpufan, and potentially upgrading your cooling system (ie adding more fans and/or getting better fans)