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How to reduce CPU usage? Good question, but first, what is it? CPUs are one of the most important components of a computer, it processes the complex instructions of computer programs and directs to each component what data should be managed. For example, when you play it is the GPU that gets the most load, as directed by the CPU. This is because processing graphical workloads is what the GPU is designed for and the CPU understands.
All of this load allocation runs CPU usage. Similar to the human brain, a CPU can only “think” about many things at once. This is CPU usage. So it is in our interest to keep it as low as possible, as high CPU usage may slow down our computer when we are faced with a CPU-focused load.
What is our CPU article, if you want to read more in depth about CPUs.
What is CPU usage?
CPU usage is the amount of CPU currently used by applications on your computer, CPU usage is usually measured in percent. With 100% full CPU capacity and 0% is nothing more than CPU. The percentage also comes back to almost all, so it’s possible to really look at 0% usage based on CPU.
How to find your CPU usage?
Using or using the CPU can be found under the Task Manager’s ‘Performance’ tab or the ‘Process’ tab. It is displayed as a graph and percentage number in the Performance tab, but only as a percentage number under the Processes tab.
How to reduce CPU usage
There are a few ways we can reduce CPU usage, and most of them involve reducing the load on the CPU. So it basically means eliminating potentially useless tasks that use up a lot of our CPU.
The first method involves using a task manager to kill unwanted tasks during the session.
To open the Task Manager, simply right-click on your Windows icon (Windows 11) or Taskbar (Windows 10) and select Task Manager from the pop-up menu.
Select a process you want to finish to open the resource, or right-click and select End Task, or select the End Task button at the top of the window when the process is selected.
Method 2
This method is the same as the first, only this time we stop the process at the beginning. This means that the apps we disable do not start with the system, opening up resources.
By repeating one step of the first method, we once again find ourselves in the Task Manager, now go to the Start tab and click.
Then, select the job or program you want to deactivate. Then click Disable in the top left corner of the window. This will prevent the program from starting when your computer is working. You can always enable it here if you need it in the future.
Viruses can sometimes cause an increase in your CPU usage. This is because viruses, depending on the type, can use your CPU for whatever it likes. It could be anything from crypto mining to boot netting. Viruses may be your answer to how to reduce CPU usage.
Don’t worry though, your computer already comes with all the tools it needs to get rid of this virus, if you have one.
Key on your keyboard and type “Windows Security” and click on Security Center. It is a central hub where you can perform many security-related tasks. Once there, click on “Virus and Threat Protection”. Note, you can usually tell if you have a virus because the Security Center will report “relevant attention” in the relevant icons.
The scan you want to run, but for security reasons, it is best to run a full scan of the system. To do this, click on the “Scan Options” drop-down bar and select “Full Scan”. It will scan your entire computer and every file in it for data compatible with this virus database. If Windows Security reveals a virus, it should be quarantined and deleted.
Check your power settings (laptop)
It often applies to laptops but it can also be applied to desktops. A low power setting can be adjusted to limit the performance of your computer in an effort to save energy. If your computer restricts your CPU performance it will end up using it completely faster, as it has less processing power.
It often applies to laptops but it can also be applied to desktops. A low power setting can be adjusted to limit the performance of your computer in an effort to save energy. If your computer restricts your CPU performance it will end up using it completely faster, as it has less processing power.
Start by opening your search bar and type “select power plan” and click enter. This should bring you to the power options in the control panel.
You need to choose a power plan that describes high performance, “high performance” is a good place to start, but you can also use “balanced” if your computer does not come up with a high performance power plan. This should open up the range you have in your CPU power.
This is one step less and more advice. If you want to increase your CPU power then it may not be so easy, so you may want to consider buying a better processor. This could be a faster processor with a higher IPC in the new generation or a CPU with more housing and wires to spread between workbars.
However, keep in mind that upgrading Intel CPUs to the new generation often requires a motherboard upgrade. Please check the CPU socket compatibility before each purchase. We offer the following CPUs from AMD and Intel.
Upgrade your CPU / motherboard
This is one step less and more advice. If you want to increase your CPU power then it may not be so easy, so you may want to consider buying a better processor. This could be a faster processor with a higher IPC in the new generation or a CPU with more housing and wires to spread between workbars.
However, keep in mind that upgrading Intel CPUs to the new generation often requires a motherboard upgrade. Please check the CPU socket compatibility before each purchase. We offer the following CPUs from AMD and Intel.
CPUs you can never fully use
If you find yourself in the market for a new CPU, these CPUs have so many housings, wires and transistors that you probably won’t use 100% of them. Certainly not under normal use.
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Intel Core i9-12900K
Increase clock speed (single home)
5.3 GHz
All houses / wires
16/24
The last word
Using a high CPU is something that every computer user eventually faces, whether you know it or not. It’s a good idea to check your CPU from time to time to see how things go. If your CPU usage is too high and you don’t know what causes it, try some of our above methods to correct the situation.
We hope that our article on how to reduce CPU usage has helped you solve your problem.
