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Resolved Question

fluctuation in CPU usage

by Sep 14, 2014 8:34AM PDT

according to Task Manager. I notice that my CPU usage fluctuates between 2% and 100% on a very regular basis. I have just done a further check with no contact with the computer and the fluctuation for the most part was somewhere between 5% and 25% for most of the "idle time" with only 2 spikes to 100% during a 5 minute period. When I am very active on the computer the 100% spikes are there for much of the time. The memory usage stay for the most part under 50% all of the time. I had been under the impression that activity went to memory and for the most part only went to CPU when memory was "overwhelmed". From what I am seeing it would seem that the CPU can get "overwhelmed" even if the memory is not. When CPU usage gets overloaded things really slow down. Is this normal or do I have a problem?

System Info
Windows edition: Windows 7 Home Premium
Manufacturer: eMachine
Model: EL1333G
Processor: AMD Processor 2850e 1.80GHz
RAM: 4.00GB
System type: 64 bit Operating system

Discussion is locked

The ancient one has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
3 Posts
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Best Answer

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Me too.
by Forum moderator Sep 14, 2014 8:38AM PDT

I guess I should upload a screen shot but in short, I never considered that a bug. Windows seems to do sweeps and more as it does its things. However any overlapping security suite and apps could result in oddities
Bob

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Thanks Bob
by The ancient one Sep 14, 2014 9:33AM PDT

I guess my computer is not in real trouble. When things really slow down which is not very often, I will just reboot and things will go along just fine and I will only loose a couple of minutes in the process. By the time I go get a cup of coffee it will be up an running again.

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Answer
Possible virus or program in the background
by Jul 1, 2015 4:46PM PDT

Sometimes you'll have a virus and not even know it, one good way to check is to see if you have anything running in the background and causing your CPU usage to jump up and down. Which in this case sounds about right. Another thing is it could be Addware or something you had no idea was in your computer. Check your browsers for any add ons or extensions that shouldn't be there.
Ultimately if that doesn't work check your computers temp with a program called Speccy. You'll know if the temp is good as its indicated
Tagline removed again, moderator.

Post was last edited on July 1, 2015 4:51 PM PDT

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