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Single core running at 100% all the time following install of 2023-12 update

MikeClemens
Beginner
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Microsoft support suggested I post this information on the Intel support site to see if anyone can help.

I installed the Windows 2023-12 update a few days ago and since then one core (out of 20) runs at 100% all the time. This does not happen if I boot into safe mode. It does happen if I do a clean boot.

I don't see a process with either Task Manage or Performance Monitor that could be causing the 100% usage for one core. It's not always the same core but it is either core 10, 11 or 12.

I do see the core running at 100% in graphs produced by Resource Monitor that shows usage for each core. I've run numerous different virus scans including ones for root kits and none of them find anything questionable.

One thing I noticed is that starting or stopping an app such as Excel, PowerPoint, Thunderbird or Chrome causes a switch in which core is running at 100%, The change in which core is running at 100% happens about the time the app finishes displaying its window.


Starting other apps such as Explorer, NotePad++ or KeePass does not cause a switch in which core is running at 100%.

The PC I'm using is a Dell Alienware R11 with a Core I9-10900K processor. I've used both the Dell and Intel support assist apps to search for any available updates. The Dell app did not find anything that needed to be updated except for itself. The Intel app found the updates were available for WIFI and Bluetooth. I installed those updates and following a restart there was no difference. One core is still running at 100%.

I looked at uninstalling the 2023-12 (KB5033375) update, but it is not in the list of updates that can be uninstalled.

I also had installed the update on 3 other PCs (Dell 7070, Dell 7090 and Dell XPS15) and don't see the same problem on any of those PCs.

 The windows 11 build is 22631.2861.

 Anybody have an idea on what's going on or how to find the process that is causing the 100% usage?

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Alberto_R_Intel
Employee
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MikeClemens, Thank you for posting in the Intel® Communities Support.


We will be more than glad to assist you with this matter. 


For this scenario, it is important to mention that we always recomned to use the computer at stock configurations with the default BIOS settings. Additionally, it is worth noting, that when using a mobile device, such as a laptop, everything in there is customized by the manufacturer. They can enable/disable BIOS settings as well as features and functions on the device.


In this case, first, in order to rule out a possible hardware issue with the processor, please install and run the Intel® Processor Diagnostic Tool, it does an overall test on the unit and if it passes the test it means it is working properly:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/15951/intel-processor-diagnostic-tool.html?wapkw=diagnostic


In order for us to answer your question about why the processor is showing that specific behavior of running just one core at 100%, we will do further research on this matter to try to gather the information needed. For us to be able to do that, once you get the chance, please provide the results of the Intel® PDT test to confirm that the process is working normally.


Any questions please let me know.


Regards,

Albert R.


Intel Customer Support Technician

 


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MikeClemens
Beginner
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The test result files are attached. I looked at then and did not see any errors.

 

A couple of notes:

1. It is not always the same core that is running at 100%. If varies between cores 9, 10, 11 or 12. Also starting or stop a program such at Excel changes the core that is running at 100%. I just started Excel and the 100% core changed from 9 to 10, when I stopped Excel the core running at 100% changed to 12. It could be most any program starting or stopping that causes the switch.

2. PC I am using is a Dell Alienware R11 desktop with a i9-10900K processor. This machine is running the default configuration with BIOS version 1.0.22 dated 11/09/23.

 

A report generated by the CPU-Z program is attached. This file is named AWR11.txt.

A report generated by the HWiNFO program is also attached. This file is named HWiNFO.txt.

 

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Alberto_R_Intel
Employee
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MikeClemens, Thank you very much for your reply.

 

Perfect, it is great to see that the processor passed the Intel® PDT test, which indicates the unit is working with no problems and there are not hardware issues with it.

 

Regarding CPU-Z and HWiNFO, those are third-party tools, and they could have misreadings in the results in reference to the processor functionality. That is why we rely on our Intel® PDT application.

 

We will now do further research on this topic to confirm if the behavior of the processor is expected or if it might be related to customizations done by the manufacturer of the computer. As soon as I get any updates, I will post all the details on this thread.

 

Regards,

Albert R.

 

Intel Customer Support Technician

 

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Alberto_R_Intel
Employee
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Hello MikeClemens, I just received an update on this matter.


After reviewing the case we can confirm that we cannot validate information for third-party tools. Based on that, please try to run the Intel® XTU test showing core information and once you get the chance please let us know the results.


Regards,

Albert R.


Intel Customer Support Technician


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MikeClemens
Beginner
2,407 Views

The CSV file created by the tool is attached. I also attached 2 jpg files that show the configuration information displayed by the tool.

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Alberto_R_Intel
Employee
2,350 Views

MikeClemens, Thank you very much for providing the files.


We will continue working on this scenario and provide a response as soon as possible.


Regards,

Albert R.


Intel Customer Support Technician



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Alberto_R_Intel
Employee
2,317 Views

Hello MikeClemens, I just received an update on this matter.


After reviewing the files you shared, we can confirm that we don't see any unusual behavior on the reports, it seems the system is working as expected.


If by any chance, you notice the computer is having high CPU utilization, we recommend following the steps in the link below. If the problem persists, then we recommend to get in contact directly with Alienware Support for additional debugging on the system and further technical assistance:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000057744.html

https://www.dell.com/support/contents/en-us/category/product-support/self-support-knowledgebase/dell-gaming


Regards,

Albert R.


Intel Customer Support Technician


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