How to find out what's using up CPU resources? (Task Manager not too helpful)

[tracerit]

Temp on idle is usually 35-40C but sometimes it'll jump up to 45C and stay there. I keep my desktop on 24/7 and overnight it was at 40C but when i started using it for about two hours today then left home, I came back and noticed it was still at 45C and steady. Checked Task manager and nothing was excessively taking up space. I rebooted to make sure it wasn't just the day's temp, and after rebooting it now idles back at 40C.

I'm thinking there's a rogue program or process eating up resources, but I can't figure it out. Just wanted to get some ideas but in the mean time I'm going to try to single out some programs to see and if it's somethign I can reproduce.

 

[blackened23]

It could be voltage related. Your idle voltage is probably swaying back and forth for some reason, which CAN happen if you have system tray or background apps open.

What I would do is keep an eye on idle voltage levels when this happens. Voltage goes up = CPU temps go up. Even if your CPU usage has not changed, this still applies. If you have 5% CPU utilization with 1V versus 5% CPU utilization with 1.25V, temperatures go up and go up fast. Use CPU-z to keep an eye on it.

 

[Ajay]

You could try Resource Monitor. I believe that it also shows system services that are running (at least with admin privs) - that could help rule out an errant process.

 

[VirtualLarry]

It wasn't just the noon-time temp increase from the Sun, was it?

 

[coercitiv]

Sysinternals Process Explorer

You can also take a look at some usage cases together with other utilities on Mark Russinovich’s Blog.

 

[tracerit]

I'll check out REsource MOnitor and Process Explorer. Thanks for the links! I"m currently using OpenHardwareMonitor now to monitor the history of my temps, when I pulled up the voltage, it seems 24 hours (max history) has passed so I no longer have the values when the temps were lower.

It wasn't the noon tempt because after I rebooted, everything went back down to normal.

 

[2is]

It wasn't just the noon-time temp increase from the Sun, was it?

This would be my guess. A combination of higher ambient temps and the hsf getting a little dirtier.

I don't think it's task manager isn't helpful, I think that you're chasing ghosts trying to find a resource hogging program that likely doesn't exist. Not to mention, the difference between a loaded and idle CPU is a lot more than 3-5 degrees.

 

[coercitiv]

I don't think it's task manager isn't helpful, I think that you're chasing ghosts trying to find a resource hogging program that likely doesn't exist. Not to mention, the difference between a loaded and idle CPU is a lot more than 3-5 degrees.

I don't think malware is the issue either, but some software/hardware malfunction might be enough to keep the CPU from entering sleep states properly.

If I were the OP I would just keep track of the system, log some data (temps for example). If this is a real problem, symptoms will repeat.

 

[Ketchup]

If you are in the processes tab, and tell it to show processes for all users, what application(s) are showing the highest number(s)?

For example, as I type this in my VM, the highest number I am seeing is Firefox, and it is jumping between 00 and 06.

 

[LongTimePCUser]

It might be a hardware issue.
Have you opened the case and cleaned out any dust that might be causing a cooling fan to stall out occasionally?

 

[Stuka87]

It might be a hardware issue.
Have you opened the case and cleaned out any dust that might be causing a cooling fan to stall out occasionally?

This is what I was going to suggest. Make sure the system is clean inside.