Identify if your CPU is contributing to a memory leak.
Identify if your CPU is contributing to a memory leak.
I haven't been able to find anything anywhere about this particular issue, so I figured I'd bring it up with you guys since there's a plethora of knowledge here. Specs : MoBo : GIGABYTE AB350 GAMING-3 Problem Processor : Ryzen 5 2600 Current Processor : Ryzen 5 5600X RAM : Vengance LPX 2933MHz @ 32GB with XMP @ 3200MHz GPU : Radeon RX 580 Drives : 2TB Seagate & 500GB WD Black NVMe M.2 Power Supply : RM750x Here's the basis of the problem: There's a memory leak that I've dealt with for the better part of a few months, and only recently have I gone to a last-resort ditch to replace the processor in order to alleviate the problem. I could not find where the memory leak was anywhere. When I check task manager, I'll notice that the memory stat says it's at like, 85% or more, but when I check the Users tab, it only says I'm using around 2GB at that particular time. Here's the troubleshooting I did: - Closed out all applications for a few days at a time and let computer sit idle (only resulted in same issue happening) - Uninstalled potential applications which take up large sums of ram (saw no difference) - Ran Memory Diagnostics twice to see where problem could be (ram was completely fine according to results) - Checked System Resource Manager whilst memory was up around 70-80% (found no outlying programs) - Ran stress tests on both RAM and CPU to see where problem starts (results were inconclusive) As you can see with the specs list, I did end up just buying a new CPU to see if that would fix it. I did also want to upgrade to a newer generation of Ryzen anyways, so I figured why not kill two birds with one stone? Anyways, I'm curious as to if I may have missed a troubleshooting step or maybe it could have been something else? So far it's been smooth sailing for the past day or so, with no abnormal amounts or spikes of RAM usage.
It's surprising you found a solution where the CPU leaks memory rather than Windows having issues.
He needs an upgrade because the issue is Windows already cutting down memory use. When tasks run, they seem to use little RAM, but overall it hits 98%. The program will lag heavily, making Windows impossible to use for long. TL;DR: Memory leak in the program.
The memory leak isn't a hardware problem. Swapping parts of the hardware won't resolve it. It's a software flaw that must be fixed by the app developer. A memory leak occurs when a program allocates memory but later ignores its allocation. This is called a leak because the memory remains reserved (marked as used) yet has no active owner. Memory stays locked until the process ends. Often, the program will request more memory than it previously used, instead of reusing what it already has. Eventually, the operating system runs out of free space. To find the culprit, check the task manager. If a program's memory usage steadily increases, it’s likely causing the issue. Remember, memory needs to change over time, but repeated spikes after an action suggest a leak. For example, Windows news feeds have faced similar problems. Fixes usually involve disabling the problematic feature.
It seems I’ll stick to my usual daily habits, and my memory will naturally grow over a few days. I’ve turned off the Windows News Feed, so I’ll check if anything shifts. I understand the strong dislike for Windows, and switching to Linux might be the better choice right now.
If no issues appear in Task Manager, the problem might lie with a driver rather than hardware. You could check Resource Monitor for more detailed insights. Fixing it won’t necessarily involve swapping parts—identifying the faulty software is key. Replacing hardware might help if it’s driver-related, but it’s not guaranteed. Memory leaks can occur in any operating system or program, even if a known issue like News Feed’s has been reported. Other causes are also possible.
It's been a tough search for the root cause. The feed wasn't the problem, and I initially thought Microsoft Security might be involved, but it turned out different. I'm considering updating my GPU drivers to check if that's the culprit, even though I don't see a clear reason. Do you know any tools that can list driver updates? Also, please note I didn't mean to imply your system has Windows issues—I was mainly seeking confirmation for a Linux switch.
Most memory leaks are a failure to code for the program to ditch cached mem. Its one of the main complaints about the Win 10 platform that many complain about if you are insistent to use win 10 would say if you have the money then get more ram when you order PC/laptop. As a former software functional QA I've seen this happen with software development where we'd have potato PC's full on flatline cause someone forgot to remember to add the library for discharging memory. And a third of the QA testers would be ordered sit on your hands while your PC tries to reboot from its BSOD