Unusual CPU usage, possibly bad Windows update?

[DarkFire]

Recently, I have been getting unusually high CPU usage when I'm playing Battlefield 3. Task manager was reporting CPU usage ~95%. I did a fresh install of Windows 7 but the unusual CPU usage was still there so the cause isn't malware. I've been playing Battlefield 3 for months now and I haven't had this strange CPU usage increase until very recently (few weeks ago). Only thing I can think of as the cause is a bad Windows update. Does anyone know what might be causing my CPU usage increase?

System specs:
Intel Core i5 2500k @ 4.8ghz (so no way my CPU usage should be getting almost maxed out in BF3)
Radeon HD 7950
8GB ram @ 1600mhz

 

[gregrocker]

Go over the http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html which include procedure for tracing Processes hogging CPU.

If nothing turns up after completing all steps including hardware tests, compare your install to the perfect install given in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 to see if it varies enough you'd be better off investing the time in a perfect install.