Terrible jumps in CPU usage

[pricezach34]

My CPU usage and temp is out of control. It jumps up to 100% whether I am watching a livestream, playing games, or just videos.
Z97 Anniversary Motherboard
i5 4690K 3.5GHz Processor
Powercolor AMD Radeon R7 250
8GB A-Data Ram
Windows 10 - not activated
350 W PSU

 

[Suribachi]

What does task manager say that is using the CPU?

 

[13thmonkey]

why is windows not activated?
why have you only got a 350W PSU?

 

[pricezach34]

What does task manager say that is using the CPU?

It doesn't tell me that anything is jumping on my CPU in the task manager. However I have a tool from AMD that registers that it jumps around from either 50% to 99%. It also shows that I am using half my RAM but it doesn't show processes that would add up to that.

 

[pricezach34]

why is windows not activated?
why have you only got a 350W PSU?

I sent it in to iBUYPOWER and they sent it back with an not activated copy. They replaced my motherboard and I am starting to think that they did crappy work. That is what came with the computer. I tried seeing if they could upgrade it but they just claimed that it would void the warranty. They are apparently sending me a Windows 8 activation key.

 

[13thmonkey]

OK that's really important information.

What do your clock speeds do when it hits 100%.My hunch is that it is a poorly installed Heat Sink Fan, and that the CPU is throttling, and hence hitting 100% of a lower speed. What are the CPU temps. Try to activate windows.

 

[pricezach34]

Using a utility that comes with the motherboard it clocks me jumping from 1-3.7GHz. That is just sitting with chrome, steam, and teamspeak open. They just sent out my activation key today so I should get that soon. The temp sits around 98C. Which I know is high

 

[13thmonkey]

It's throttling, they installed the HSF wrong. Reinstall the HSF and it'll go away.

 

[pricezach34]

It's throttling, they installed the HSF wrong. Reinstall the HSF and it'll go away.

Thank you. You have no idea how many possible solutions I tried. Everyone who "knows" about computers that I talked to never even questioned it

 

[13thmonkey]

if you pardon the expression FFS.

Temps are at the foundation of a diagnosis.

 

[USAFRet]

Using a utility that comes with the motherboard it clocks me jumping from 1-3.7GHz. That is just sitting with chrome, steam, and teamspeak open. They just sent out my activation key today so I should get that soon. The temp sits around 98C. Which I know is high

It's throttling, they installed the HSF wrong. Reinstall the HSF and it'll go away.

Thank you. You have no idea how many possible solutions I tried. Everyone who "knows" about computers that I talked to never even questioned it

That is so seriously bad, on multiple levels.