High CPU usage during gameplay

[Jeff-101]

Hello everyone,

I've been having another issue with a new CPU, was hoping to get some help with it.
I noticed lately that some of my more graphic/cpu intensive games have been studdering and having long load times, and it seems to be getting progressively worse. Having issues similar to this with my old cpu, I checked out the cpu temps and utilization. The temps are still running just fine, ~50 degrees under load, but for some reason my utilization jumps to 90-100%. This is a new occurrence, and I'm not really sure what is bringing this on.

I thought maybe there was a windows update that caused it, or some such thing, so I tried to do a system restore and it doesn't work (even tried different restore points, still the same, says cannot restore due to missing files). I also checked to see what programs are running in the background as well as used a virus and malware scan which came up with nothing. Just about the only info I found as a possible solution is to reformat the computer. Which I rather not do since it's a pain, but am capable of doing if necessary. Anyone have any thoughts? Really bummed to be having this same issue again with a new, expensive cpu, and only after a few months of use.

 

[Karsten75]

You don't tell us what processor, how much RAM or what game....

However, once you know something at the OS level is borked (unless you turned off restore points to save disk space), then you propably should re-install the OS and see if you can get it clean at that level.

Also try running a rootkit detector if you spend time downloading free or cracked games or videos.

 

[Jeff-101]

i5-4690k
8 gig RAM
Dragon Age 3, and Borderland 2 stutter and have very high cpu utilization (90-100%).
Also, I don't pirate software.

 

[Jeff-101]

So I went ahead and reformatted the computer. I notice that it still has high cpu usage but the computer now says that there's 8 gigs of RAM and beside it (3.6 gigs usable). Guessing there's some problems with the RAM. Was going to replace the RAM soon anyway, so think I will go buy some then install it and see how it goes..

 

[apetrovic321]

Load time may depend on your hdd. I have the same cpu, and it has 90+ % usage in almost all the newer games. I guess it's normal. As for the stuttering, it might be your gpu
Also, are you using stock cooler? Because those are damn good temps. Try installing some cpu monitoring software to see how much power it uses

 

[Jeff-101]

Load time may depend on your hdd. I have the same cpu, and it has 90+ % usage in almost all the newer games. I guess it's normal. As for the stuttering, it might be your gpu
Also, are you using stock cooler? Because those are damn good temps. Try installing some cpu monitoring software to see how much power it uses

So I ended up reformatting. Seems that the cpu is no longer the bottleneck in my system, but the cpu still can go to 90-100% utilization. The stuttering problems have stopped though thankfully and I now get frames that I would expect to see. Think it's really strange though that the cpu is hitting those high percentages, although it now only happens here and there and runs, usually, around 40% under heavy use. I've been using multiple cpu monitoring systems, mostly HWmonitor to monitor everything. The temperatures remain cool, sitting around 40-50C under heavy use (I don't use stock, I have some 70$ liquid cooling system from corsair). Still bothers me that the cpu hits 90-100% usage though..

 

[apetrovic321]

I know, I am the same kind of person 😉 However... people with more experience and expertise will tell you it should run like that. And they may have a point. And again - I can tell you for sure that when I play Rome 2 and Assassin's Creed Black Flag the first core is 95% plus utilized all the time.
I have also searched online for the gpu load. I have an r9 280x and in some games, when I turn v-sync off it goes 99% load! I don't like that, but again, the more experienced once will tell you that that's the way it should be running, reaching its full potential.
I think you're ok

 

[Jeff-101]

I know, I am the same kind of person 😉 However... people with more experience and expertise will tell you it should run like that. And they may have a point. And again - I can tell you for sure that when I play Rome 2 and Assassin's Creed Black Flag the first core is 95% plus utilized all the time.
I have also searched online for the gpu load. I have an r9 280x and in some games, when I turn v-sync off it goes 99% load! I don't like that, but again, the more experienced once will tell you that that's the way it should be running, reaching its full potential.
I think you're ok

I can understand it being fully utilized if it were old or if my other components were just that bad, but my old i7-2600k never seemed to go over 50%, let alone go to 100%, under heavy load. It would usually sit around 25-30% under heavy load. I kinda wish I still had it..
But this is a bad thing right? Makes me think that this cpu won't be able to handle what comes down the road over the next few years, and this thing should be able to handle any game for the next 5-7 years..

 

[apetrovic321]

Well, no, it's actually perfectly normal. I know how you feel, but that's just the way it was made to work. You should worry when it starts showing performance issues or when it overheats. And don't worry, this cpu should last a long time.

 

[bmacsys]

So I went ahead and reformatted the computer. I notice that it still has high cpu usage but the computer now says that there's 8 gigs of RAM and beside it (3.6 gigs usable). Guessing there's some problems with the RAM. Was going to replace the RAM soon anyway, so think I will go buy some then install it and see how it goes..

8 Gigs or ram with 3.6 usable? Did you install a 64 bit version of Windows? The problem does not lie with the ram with it showing 8 full Gigabytes but 3.6 usable. That is an operating system problem.

 

[bmacsys]

Well, no, it's actually perfectly normal. I know how you feel, but that's just the way it was made to work. You should worry when it starts showing performance issues or when it overheats. And don't worry, this cpu should last a long time.

How is his newer, faster more modern processor functioning "normally" when it is using more of its resources to run the same compute processes than his older, slower cpu did? The answer? It is not normal. He has an issue that needs to be resolved.

 

[apetrovic321]

He never said that the processes involved were the same. He said 'more graphic/cpu intensive games'.
Also, he didn't say what his gpu was, which might be responsible for the stuttering (which he said stopped after a reformat).
Also, I wouldn't say his 'older, slower' cpu i7 2500k is really that ancient.
My cpu behaves in the same way, and that's what I told him.

 

[Jeff-101]

He never said that the processes involved were the same. He said 'more graphic/cpu intensive games'.
Also, he didn't say what his gpu was, which might be responsible for the stuttering (which he said stopped after a reformat).
Also, I wouldn't say his 'older, slower' cpu i7 2500k is really that ancient.
My cpu behaves in the same way, and that's what I told him.

Actually yes, I did mean that programs that I was running with the old CPU had less CPU utilization than the new CPU running the same processes.

 

[Jeff-101]

So I went ahead and reformatted the computer. I notice that it still has high cpu usage but the computer now says that there's 8 gigs of RAM and beside it (3.6 gigs usable). Guessing there's some problems with the RAM. Was going to replace the RAM soon anyway, so think I will go buy some then install it and see how it goes..

8 Gigs or ram with 3.6 usable? Did you install a 64 bit version of Windows? The problem does not lie with the ram with it showing 8 full Gigabytes but 3.6 usable. That is an operating system problem.

Sorry for the late reply. So it turned out that was the issue. I had ordered a 64bit version of windows through my work and ordered a backup disk as well. However, they sent me a 32bit disc, not the 64 bit version. I had to find a burnt copy of Windows 7 64bit, but that cleared up the issue with only 3.6 gig usable ram. It now utilizes all 8 gigs.

 

[Jeff-101]

So, this has been an interesting saga. I had my computer up and running ok until today. I came home, turned it on, and now there is no video output coming from my computer anymore. This dang thing is frustrating me to no end, thinking of throwing it out and buying a new system, however with my luck it would be just as bad as my current build.

I tried plugging the HDMI cable into other slots in the TV, nothing still. My TV is working fine as far as I can tell, as it still recognizes input for my PS4. The system still boots normally, as I can hear windows starting up through my speakers. Guess the video card isn't working now?