Oh, why my CPU usage is going so high

[ChatIndia]

I have switched on my desktop after a long time and I was surprised to see that my CPU usage is going so high. For the same program running both in my desktop and my laptop, my desktop CPU usage moves higher that 80% whereas my laptop CPU usage remains less than 10% (mostly 2-3%).
I'm running windows vista ultimate in my laptop and windows xp professional service pack 2 in my desktop. Is my CPU is in critical condition?

[Smith6612]

Is the CPU clock speed running at it's native clock speed or has it downclocked itself? Open up CPU-Z and take a screenshot of the main window.

http://www.cpuid.com/

Also, take note of what processes are using the CPU and let me know what exactly is using the most CPU in terms of time. A screenshot of the complete task manager after the PC is on for a while would be nice.

[fahad21]

As referred by Microsoft, if your CPU usage is very high even when you are not doing anything on your computer, then the most probable reason is the vrus. Because viruses take up a lot of CPU resources and puts up a payload on the computer.

So, I strongly recommend you to install,update, scan your computer with a powerful Antivirus. If you don't have one, please go to download.com and search for Avira Anti Virus. Its Free and it does work fine!

Thanks

[ChatIndia]

CPUZ screenshot

[Sharky]

I hope you're not referring to CPUZ in order to establish CPU usage...
What's using the most in the windows task manager 'process' tab? (Besides 'System Idle Process')

[ChatIndia]

Avast and Firefox are in between 10-20, task manager 5-10 and system ideal process 6-20, explorer 3-10 and system 1-5. These are the only process which I have noted down in 5 minutes continuous observation. Except all these process all are showing 00

[farscapeone]

Use Process Explorer to see exactly what process and thread uses the most CPU. You can download it form Microsoft TechNet here.

[timothy1238]

Press CTRL+ALT+DEL and then go to TASK MANAGER. Select PROCESSES and under MEMORY, check
who is using the most memory. End that process
_______________________
Office Chairs

[ChatIndia]

The process using most memory is firefox and DAP and system processes, so I can't end it. Actually I'm not lacking in memory, I'm lacking in CPU
Edit:
using Process Explorer (suggested by leviathon) I came to know that only two processes are consuming my lot of CPU they are system idle process and Firefox. Is there anyway to optimize them.

[Smith6612]

System Idle Process will show as using CPU time when the system is idle, when in reality it is not. If Firefox is using up a lot of memory, look around for any add-ons that might be known CPU hoggers. If you have ads on the page, there might be some CPU heavy ads loading up via Flash. Otherwise if Firefox is the only thing Process Explorer shows as using up the most of the CPU time, it's either add-ons causing it or something in the page itself.