Task Manager Incorrect CPU Usage

Question

EDIT: I would delete this post since this was actually a hardware fault, but I won't do it myself on the 0.0001% chance someone's processor also acts up in the same way mine did.

So for roughly the past couple of weeks, I have been having issues with task manager giving me incorrect readings on the CPU usage. Before noticing this issue, I have been running my 9900K at 4.8 GHz all core with an AVX offset of 1. Initially, reducing my clock speed by 100 MHz down to 4.7 GHz all core (AVX offset 0) solved the problem for a couple of weeks, but the problem has now resurfaced despite the CPU literally running at specified stock speeds.

The Task Manager program is incorrectly reporting CPU usage spiking up to 100% at times, sometimes accompanied by the display turning into a black screen for a half-second while playing SCP: Secret Laboratory. Meanwhile, other programs that were running at the time such as Google Chrome or DIscord turn into black windows and require restarting. Other programs such as HWiNFO64, Corsair iCUE, and Process Explorer are reporting much lower CPU usage percentages.

Any ideas on what is causing Task Manager to behave like this? I thought Windows shipped out an update that fixed the broken Task Manager, but apparently not for me. I have already tried a clean installation of Windows 10 Pro to no avail.

CPU: i9-9900K @ 4.7 GHz all core

RAM: 4x8 GB @ 3200 MHz, XMP I

Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus XI Formula, BIOS - American Megatrends Inc. 0905, 4/10/2019

Windows 10.0.17763 Pro Version 1809

OS Build 17763.437

Full Desktop Parts List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Cz87LJ

This was taken while running a game (SCP: Secret Laboratory, SCPSL.exe). Something seems off with the process explorer too since the game should be the highest in CPU usage, and the CPU use of the processes don't add up to 100%. I have seen this occur when the computer freezes for a half-second for no apparent reason.

This was also taken while running the same game mentioned above, except this time only the Task Manager is reporting an incorrect CPU usage while Process Explorer says otherwise.

This image shows Task Manager claiming that the CPU frequency is being throttled to 3.6 GHz. CPU-Z is reporting a clock speed of about 4.7 GHz. Task Manager also seems to think CPUs #8 and #9 (starting from #0) are going crazy. I've checked both CPUs in HWiNFO64 and Process Explorer and found nothing wrong with them.

This image is another example of incorrect CPU usage where the actual CPU usage is much less than 50%.

Answer 1

Frankly, I would not revert back to 1803 just because of this issue unless you feel you just have to do it. Remember 1903 should be out in May.

How to download the Windows 10 version 1803 ISO file after version 1809 releases

https://pureinfotech.com/download-windows-10-18...

How to Download ISO Files or Reinstall Files for Older Versions of Windows 10

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/download-iso-o...

Please let me know how its going after you decide what to do.

Rob

Answer 2

Thanks for your input, but I doubt that it would be a hardware issue as these are high-end gaming components (though I won't rule out such a possibility), and I trust other monitoring programs like CPU-Z and HWiNFO64 more than I do Task Manager now.

I'll keep looking around.

If you have a way I can clean install Windows 10 version 1803 instead of the problematic version 1809 build, please let me know.

Thank you again.

Answer 3

Then you either have a hardware problem, or the known problem has not yet been totally fixed, or it is just an inconsistency between the methods you are using to measure performance.

Check with the System/Motherboard Support and ask in their forums about any known hardware, BIOS, or chipset issue.

I would reduce tie system down to as simple as possible, including minimum memory, and few add-in devices to see if that has any effect.

Rob

Answer 4

Well keep in mind that Process Explorer is more accurate than Task Manager and PE allows more settings (such as timing).

If you think you are freezing up or having other performance problems here is my troubleshooting methods for that issue (part of which you are using now).

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I realize you probably know how to do all of this however the detailed explanations are for those new to the process.

If using an SSD or hybrid hard drive be sure it has the latest firmware.

Try the Clean Boot method to see if a startup program is involved - if so it is a process of elimination :

Right Click the start button - Command Prompt (Admin) OR Windows PowerShell (Admin) - at the prompt type in

MSCONFIG

and hit enter

How to perform a clean boot in Windows

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135

Other programs to help :

Autoruns - Free - See what programs are configured to startup automatically when your system boots and you login. Autoruns also shows you the full list of Registry and file locations where applications can configure auto-start settings.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals...

Process Explorer - Free - Find out what files, registry keys and other objects processes have open, which DLLs they have loaded, and more. This uniquely powerful utility will even show you who owns each process.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals...

Process Monitor - Free - an advanced monitoring tool for Windows that shows real-time file system, Registry and process/thread activity. It combines the features of two legacy Sysinternals utilities, Filemon and Regmon, and adds an extensive list of enhancements including rich and non-destructive filtering, comprehensive event properties such session IDs and user names, reliable process information, full thread stacks with integrated symbolsupport for each operation, simultaneous logging to a file, and much more. Its uniquely powerful features will make Process Monitor a core utility in your system troubleshooting and malware hunting toolkit.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/d...

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Do all of these :

If you had a 3rd party antivirus on the OS you upgraded OR if you have one now uninstall it and then run its maker's removal tool. Use Windows Defender which in Windows 8/8.1/10 is a full antivirus. Despite all the hype out there Windows Defender and the Windows Firewall are true superstars.

List of anti-malware program cleanup/uninstall tools

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/wiki...

Uninstallers (removal tools) for common antivirus software

http://kb.eset.com/esetkb/index?page=content&am...

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Check this :

Right Click Start button - Control Panel - Troubleshooting - on right side click View all - "Hardware and Devices".

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Tips to improve PC performance in Windows 10 <-- read this link

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/400201...

The below is additional help with some of the methods in the "Tips to improve...." link.

Windows Key + X - Command Prompt (Admin) OR Windows PowerShell (Admin)

(Run these one line at a time.)

SFC /scannow

Note if that shows uncorrected errors - do the below regardless.

When that completes run these :

DISM /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth

DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Note if that shows any uncorrected errors - do the below regardless.

Then restart the computer.

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Be sure you are running the latest available BIOS, chipset drivers, and all the major device drivers.

Check with System Maker (Motherboard Maker for custom systems) for updates to the BIOS, low level chipset drivers, and the major on-board and separate device drivers. Run DriverView - set VIEW to Hide Microsoft drivers - update those without Dump in their name.

DriverView - Free - utility displays the list of all device drivers currently loaded on your system. For each driver in the list, additional useful information is displayed: load address of the driver, description, version, product name, company that createdthe driver, and more.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/driverview.html

For Drivers check System Maker as fallbacks and Device Maker's which are the most current. Right Click Start Button - Display Adapter - write down the make and complete model of your video adapter - double click - Driver's tab - write down the version info.Now click UPdate Driver (this may not do anything as MS is far behind certifying drivers) - then Right Click - Uninstall - REBOOT this will refresh the driver stack.

Repeat that for Network - Network Card (NIC), Wifi, Sound, Mouse and Keyboard if 3rd party with their own software and drivers and any other major device drivers you have.

Now go to System Maker's site (Dell, HP, Toshiba as examples) (as rollback) and then Device Maker's site (Realtek, Intel, Nvidia, ATI as examples) and get their latest versions. (Look for BIOS, Chipset, and software updates at System Maker's site while there.)

Download - SAVE - go to where you put them - Right Click - RUN AD ADMIN - REBOOT after each installation.

Repeat at Device Makers - BTW at Device Makers DO NOT RUN THEIR SCANNER - check manually by model.

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Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Please let us know the results and if you need further assistance. Feedback definitely helps us help all. Manually look at manufacturer's sites for drivers - and Device Maker's sites.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht...

Answer 5

I feel that there is also a possibility this problem may be unique to my computer**.** The following Process Explorer screenshot shows what happens at around the time my computer freezes for a split-second. There are multiple processes that claim to be using a high percentage of CPU, and they all add up to far more than 100%.

Either there is something wrong with my hardware, or Windows is having problems allocating CPU time for processes.

I have seen up to 6 or 7 processes at 100% on Process Explorer for a split-second before.