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    CPU usage while Idling

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by UltiCOW, Aug 11, 2008.

  1. UltiCOW

    UltiCOW Notebook Geek

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    Hey guys!

    I am wondering what your average CPU usage is while idling.
    By idling I mean having no windows open and having your normal background processing running.

    My computer seems to idle at 30% cpu usage on average, all windows closed, running RM clock, antivir, threatfire, skype, hwmonitor, some sidebar gadgets (nothing special) and wlan on.

    Isnt that kinda high? Shouldnt it be more around 10%?
    I thought id add a poll ;)

    Let me know what your values are!

    Thanks,
    -Cow
     
    UltiCOW, Aug 11, 2008
    #1
  2. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    Yep... for the 'conditions' you mentioned, 30% is pretty high!!!! Have you run a virus / spyware complete scan of your PC? You might wanna do that.. Also take a closer look at the background processes.. You might wanna turn off something.
     
    fonduekid, Aug 11, 2008
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  3. UltiCOW

    UltiCOW Notebook Geek

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    I run a weekly antivirus, antispyware, etc scan. Security is some thing I like to stay up to date with, so I doubt it has some thing do with that. COuldnt really see anything obvious in my background processes either. It some how feels like if I add up all the CPU usage percentages in the task manager that they would never equal the current usage...fishy!

    Thanks for your suggestion though!

    -COW
     
    UltiCOW, Aug 11, 2008
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  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    That does seem high. It's not as if you have a slow CPU.

    I'm at around 25% with a T7300 and a load of stuff open (particularly Firefox with innumerable tabs). I would expect to get below 10% if I closed all the windows.

    Look at the processes tab in Task Manager. What appears to be using the CPU time (you may need to add columns to see both %CPU and cumulative CPU time)? The cumulative CPU time is a good indicator. I've got the system idle process at 98 hours and Firefox at 7 hours as my top two. RMClock is next at nearly 3 hours.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Aug 11, 2008
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  5. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    fonduekid, Aug 11, 2008
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  6. UltiCOW

    UltiCOW Notebook Geek

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    Thansk for the super speedy response!
    The CPU time column is quite useful, thanks for that tip!

    I attached a screenshot of my task manager. IT seems that my sidebar gadgets are hogging the CPU.

    Is it normal to have sidebar.exe twice!?

    Thanks!!

    -COW
     

    Attached Files:

    UltiCOW, Aug 11, 2008
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  7. Clutch

    Clutch cute and cuddly boys

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    Widgets add alot
     
    Clutch, Aug 11, 2008
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  8. livesoft

    livesoft BUSTED

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    Your 27% seems normal when you have Firefox, Thunderbird and all opened. Maybe you could check your startup apps but if you don't see any slowdown on your computer, then it doesn't really matter if you're idling at ~ 25%. But if your CPU tops at 100% when you play games, you might see some slowdown. I remembered Skype 4.0 Beta hogging all the CPU.
     
    livesoft, Aug 11, 2008
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  9. stewie

    stewie What the deuce?

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    Mine is under 10%, but I agree with livesoft, 27% is nothing unusual when you have FF and other apps running.
     
    stewie, Aug 11, 2008
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  10. azulcorvette

    azulcorvette Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm running a T7200 (2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo) and have Firefox open and on average it says 1%-5% with a random peak of 8% or 9%. If an average was actually taken I'd say it is 3%.

    Opening up Windows Media Player and playing some MP3's it is now about 7%-9% steady.
     
    azulcorvette, Aug 11, 2008
    #10
  11. UltiCOW

    UltiCOW Notebook Geek

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    Hmm thanks guys for the responses! Im gonna close sidebar for now and see how that helps.

    I use FF a lot, so that might also be a cause. But as my screenshot proves, i think sidebar is was the killer here.

    Ill keep you posted!

    -COW
     
    UltiCOW, Aug 11, 2008
    #11