CPU Usage in Windows

[surfed]

Hi Anandtech.

I have a question regarding the CPU Usage statistic shown in the Task Manager for Windows XP.

When my computer is "idle" with an internet browser open and a few other small programs running in the background, I usually see a CPU Usage of about ~7%. Ive also been told that the System Idle Process "uses" up all of the left over clock cycles.

So I'm assuming that CPU Usage represents the number of clock cycles that are being used.

1) What exactly does the System Idle Process do with the rest of the clock cycles?

2) Since the System Idle Process "uses" up all of the left over clock cycles, can I correctly assume that a computer with 80% CPU Usage uses just as power as a computer that displays 0% CPU Usage?


Thanks

 

[Fardringle]

The System Idle Process is just a measure of available CPU puwer that is not currently being used.

1) It doesn't do anything with those cycles since it's not a real active process.

2) Generally an idle computer does not use as much power as a system under load (80-100% CPU usage).