Has your CPU stopped working?
Has your CPU stopped working?
I'm experiencing some concerns with my CPU performance. It frequently reaches maximum load, especially when playing PUBG (85%-95% usage), while the game itself only uses around 85%-95%. It seems like the issue might be related to software rather than a mechanical fault. My system has an Intel i5 7600K processor at 3.8 GHz, a GTX 1070 GPU, and I have an SSD. Despite testing various solutions—including using MSI Afterburner, running malware scans with Malwarebytes and HitmanPro, and performing a Windows Safe Boot—I haven't seen any improvements. The CPU temperature during gameplay stays below 48°C, but the GPU is operating at higher loads. RAM usage remains near half capacity, and my SSD has plenty of space left. I've also reinstalled Windows after a clean install and wiped everything, even with a new SSD, but the problem persists.
I understand it’s been happening, though I’ve always used the PC without issues. About two weeks ago it began behaving strangely. The second photo shows PUBG not running and the CPU at 83% load. After installing a NVidia driver, the CPU usage dropped to around 75%, so it’s not just with PUBG.
Are there many Windows updates happening quietly in the background? A fresh installation could explain this. The high CPU and disk activity from a Windows host process are likely the cause. There might be a way to inspect what that process is doing during peak usage, such as checking its details or properties.
There was an unusual freeze in the game I was playing. Everything seemed normal until the screen stopped for about seven seconds while an enemy fought. Probably because intense activity causes the CPU to struggle, even though the graphics card is performing well. I’m not sure what’s happening.
CPU activity during gameplay is typical, as seen in your screenshot (though the high display usage suggests GPU constraints at 98% utilization). Elevated CPU use outside gaming isn't normal unless a Windows update or background process is running. I didn't see any expected tasks. Have you performed another virus scan? In your initial message you mentioned it didn't pass. There could be an unknown background process. What type of power supply are you using? It's possible an older, lower-watt unit might be experiencing issues.