Question Why is my CPU usage at 100%?

[Kaman.vii]

I have a GTX 1660 with an i5-9400f and it’s constantly running at 100% utilization in task manager. I was playing terraria yesterday and it was at high 90s the entire time. When it reaches a steady 100, the pc completely freezes. Any help?

 

[Remeca]

What does task manager say is using the CPU? What are the temps like when it freezes?

 

[Kaman.vii]

I will be home in a few hours to check. I don’t remember what it says is using the CPU, but I do know that the CPU temp is extremely low, as it happens at any given point, whether I just started up the PC or not. Typically around the 30° C mark

 

[Kaman.vii]

What does task manager say is using the CPU? What are the temps like when it freezes?

So I checked and it’s pretty much all utilizing the game. Temps are good.

 

[Phaaze88]

Please click the green human to continue - UserBenchmark

Post the link to your results - close the browser and monitoring software for better accuracy.

 

[Kaman.vii]

Please click the green human to continue - UserBenchmark

Post the link to your results - close the browser and monitoring software for better accuracy.

sure thing, you mind telling me how I do that lol?

 

[Nemesia]

sure thing, you mind telling me how I do that lol?

On that website you click on "Free download". It will download a small benchmark that you run and it will send you to the website again with your results. Give us the link of your results.

 

[Kaman.vii]

here you go, is this the right link? https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/23598096

 

[Phaaze88]

here you go, is this the right link? https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/23598096

The cpu's boost behavior isn't normal. Are you sure it isn't overheating?

Scan your PC with Adwcleaner. Delete and quarantine everything it finds.

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Was this a build from scratch, or did you carry over your C drive?

 

[Kaman.vii]

I’m very new to PC, so unfortunately this was a prebuilt from Best Buy.

 

[Phaaze88]

Prebuilt, huh?

Well first, scan your PC using the link above.

Then download and run HWINFO, and check your idle and load(Terraria) temps.

Free Download HWiNFO Sofware | Installer & Portable for Windows, DOS

Start to analyze your hardware right now! HWiNFO has available as an Installer and Portable version for Windows (32/64-bit) and Portable version for DOS.

www.hwinfo.com

 

[Kaman.vii]

Prebuilt, huh?

Well first, scan your PC using the link above.

Then download and run HWINFO, and check your idle and load(Terraria) temps.

Free Download HWiNFO Sofware | Installer & Portable for Windows, DOS

Start to analyze your hardware right now! HWiNFO has available as an Installer and Portable version for Windows (32/64-bit) and Portable version for DOS.

www.hwinfo.com

Ok well I did both, nothing was really standing out. I did the scan and there weren't any threats that my computer detected. And the idle temps and everything when I went into Terraria was mid 40s.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

The CPU seems to be not turboing and in addition throttling below the base clock. This could be a BIOS issue, or an issue with cooling.

I would try clearing CMOS by bridging the jumper near the battery on your motherboard.

 

[Kaman.vii]

Thank you for the suggestion, but I am completely new to PC in all aspects and would have no idea what to do or what any of that means.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Spoiler: According to Intel, here is how to clear CMOS

1. Disconnect the power cord
2. Remove the computer cover.
3. Find the battery on the board. ...
4. Remove the battery: ...
5. Wait 1–5 minutes, then reconnect the battery.
6. Put the computer cover back on.

 

[Kaman.vii]

Spoiler: According to Intel, here is how to clear CMOS

1. Disconnect the power cord
2. Remove the computer cover.
3. Find the battery on the board. ...
4. Remove the battery: ...
5. Wait 1–5 minutes, then reconnect the battery.
6. Put the computer cover back on.

Okay, I have finally done this. How do I know if it has worked?

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Run userbenchmark again and post the new link.

 

[Kaman.vii]

Run userbenchmark again and post the new link.

https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/23608060

It still is running extremely weird.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Have a feeling the CMOS clear failed.

Normally when a CMOS clear is successfull, the ram will revert to 2133mhz, however your ram is still running at 2666mhz.

Turn off your PC. Turn it back on and spam delete immediately. Once you get into a menu, look for a button that says reset all values to default.

 

[Phaaze88]

Normally when a CMOS clear is successfull, the ram will revert to 2133mhz, however your ram is still running at 2666mhz.

That's because the OP's motherboard is one of those particular models that's bios locked to 2666mhz without user intervention.
https://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Asrock-B365M-IB-R/160034
Even when I skimmed though those systems using the same mobo, they all had memory running at 2666mhz.

Clearing CMOS should still have reset the clock and everything else though.

 

[boju]

Is there a link to the PC you bought?

I suspect case has poor air flow if any at all and best buy probably used the stock cpu cooler. 40c at 2.7GHz isn't good. How many fans does the case have?

Im curious, wondering who ever built and configured it may have known about potential thermal problems and throttled the cpu's max processor state in Windows power management?

Google Windows 10 max processor state and you'll have videos showing where the settings are. Max state should be on 100%. If it has been gimped, do be careful increasing it and monitor temps.