Recently, I received a question from jnc, who wrote:
When you go to the WINDOWS TASK MANAGER, it has at the bottom of the window, "CPU USAGE" and a % sign.
What does that mean and what should it be?
I searched your web site of COMPUTER TIPS, and wasn’t smart enough to locate the answer.
jnc
CPU usage indicates how hard the CPU is running. The percentage refers to how much of the individual CPU’s capacity is in use.
Normally, if we have some programs open but are not actively doing anything, the CPU Usage will be in the 2-5% range.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, some programs lock up at 100% (see my article Adobe Reader 8 Problems – And a Change to Foxit Reader Adobe Reader 8′s Updater).
When you run antivirus scans or antispyware scans, this can be 40-60% usage, with spikes even higher. The amount of RAM you have will also affect the percentage, as the CPU will be involved in any swapping of memory with virtual memory.
WinPatrol is a great way to take back control of your computer. Many programs install components that start automatically when your computer starts and continue to run and take up memory. This slows you computer and also forces Windows to do much more swapping of RAM to virtual memory on the hard drive.
Of course, if low available memory is the problem, another fix is to add additional memory. I usually buy memory from Crucial Technologies. Their web wizard will identify the memory for desktop computers, notebooks and common motherboards.
Related articles:
and
Hi,
I am using a compaq 510 notebook with intel core 2 duo 2 Ghz processor. Past few days it was running well but then it started using most of the CPU usage. And it also becomes hot very fast. My computer shows CPU usage not less than 75% when my friends’ show never more than 30%. I am really worried about it and I can’t take my computer to technician as my father will kill me for it because this laptop was the last thing that he would be spending except for my studies. I want to find a solution online and I would be very grateful. I thought old OS has caused it and I tried many new versions but the problem stuck with my computer so PLEASE help me!
Assuming you read the Related Articles I listed in the article, and weren’t able to solve your problem based on them, you may have a hardware problem. Your fan may be going out or may have gone out. Or, you may have gotten a dust buildup on the CPU’s heat sink.
Do a search in the search bar at the above right labeled “Search TCT Articles” and search for “spring cleaning” without the quotes.
I don’t think there is any problem with the fan and my com. is new so I personally do not think I have hardware problems but I am not sure because it happened all of a sudden. Anyway thanx for the suggetion. I will do as you say.
It could be a malware problem. Have you tried scanning for spyware/adware? Have you tried another antivirus program?
I use VIPRE Internet Security, which offers a free 30-day trial. It includes antivirus, antispyware and firewall. I use it on all of my family’s computers.
I’m a novice when it comes to computers so when my computer informed me that CPU usage was high I looked to find out what it meant. I was pleased to find your site which told me it would inform me. Unfortunately, all I have found is that it tells me how much of the individual CPU’s capacity is in use. Now, please could you tell me just what CPU stands for. What do the initials stand for?
CPU = Central Processing Unit = the brain of the computer.