Topic : [Problem]CPU usage randomly hits 100% on both cores when running games (severe FPS drop)

So, I've got a problem with my G50v-xt2. Well, I've done a lot of updating drivers, googling for people with similar problems, etc. but it looks like not many people have run into this issue.

Any time I run a computer game (to use two examples I've played recently, World of Warcraft and Left4Dead 2) my FPS starts at a smooth 60, but when I run into this problem it drops to about 4. Periodically, the CPU will all of the sudden jump to 100% for a length of time, anywhere from one minute to three minutes or so, then mysteriously go back to ~25%, which it typically uses. I run into this problem about every 15 minutes of gameplay. This happens regardless of how much "stuff" is on the screen... even if I'm staring at the ground, the CPU is still at 100%. I love to play games and this really ruins any kind of gameplay.

I recently upgraded to Windows 7, and that's when the issues began. I've updated my BIOS to the most recent release, I've upgraded my ATK0100 driver (I think that's what it's called), wireless drivers, directx, everything. This CPU spike happens whether it's a single-player or multi-player game.

Here's a screenshot I took while playing Left4Dead 2. As you can see, both cores jumped to 100%. As soon as I minimized, the CPU dropped. Once I re-maximized, it went back up to 100% and continued at 4 FPS where it had left off.


I should also note that at first I thought that heat could be the culprit. However, the peak temps were 81*C and 82*C on each core, and the temps were the same at the time of the slowdown as they were when everything was smooth.

I am absolutely clueless here, so if anyone has suggestions I am open to trying anything. Unfortunately, I don't have my Vista install handy and I'd prefer not to format my harddrive, so I'd like to exhaust other options before I go that route.

Small edit: I did find http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx...&board_id=3&model=G50V&page=1&SLanguage=en-us which had some people with issues. That forum is quite dead however, and the reports started 4 months ago with no resolution in sight. The only solution proposed was heat, but my CPU temps aren't jumping to anything drastic (peaking at 83, but still had slowdowns at 70).

 

Uh, look at the process that is actually utilizing the CPU and come back.

 

But this happens regardless of what games I play. I used to play L4D regularly at max settings and hit near max FPS, no CPU issues. If I go back and play L4D now, on its absolute lowest settings, the game still forces CPU to 100% periodically. This isn't just a case of the specs being too weak to run a game.

 

No, look at the *process* that shows CPU utilization %.

Task manager or Resource Manager.

 

Sorry, I misunderstood.

Edit:

Okay, minimized when it happened and quickly snapped a screenshot. It reverted back to near 0 after minimizing a second or two, but I did manage to catch it:

 

Well, for a game to use 100% CPU is normal.

The frame drop is not. It could mean a driver issue, a software issue (how supported is L4D on Windows 7), an online issue (if you are playing online and the servers get killed), or a heat issue.

Easiest way to is check both your CPU and GPU's heat (HWMonitor), use latest drivers, patch your game. GPU should not exceed 90C or so, and CPU should not exceed 60C - 70C or so.

If it's not heat, then it's Windows 7 driver or software related.

 

Thanks for all the tips you've provided. I'll keep trying every single driver for my devices, though I'm really not sure what's left. It isn't heat or the specific game, which does make me think it's something windows 7 related. Unfortunately, I suppose I have no way to know what that might be.

On a sidenote, if anyone else has suggestions, I'm open.

 

If you can run a different game, you can eliminate a game related problem vs a global one.

 

I've had this problem in all four games I've tested it with. Definitely global.