i5-9400f is experiencing very high CPU utilization while playing games.

[rory274]

My i5-9400f is sitting around 95-100% while playing most games. It is particularly prevalent while playing COD: Modern Warfare, resulting in large amounts of extended stuttering, that can often result in a crash. The high CPU usage also occurs in Rainbow Six: Siege although it does not cause low framerates or stuttering. I have looked at the Intel tuning utility and my CPU temp sits under 40 degrees while idling. This was a non-issue before around April or so. My graphics card is a gtx-1660ti so I don't see any clear bottleneck there. Any assistance is greatly appreciated, thanks.

[Sebastian_M_Intel]

Hello rory274, 

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.   

In order to better assist you, please provide the following: 

1. Run the Intel® System Support Utility (Intel® SSU) and attach the report generated:  

• Open the application, check the "Everything" box, and click on "Scan" to see the system and device information. By default, Intel® SSU will take you to the "Summary View".   
• Click on the menu where it says "Summary" to change to "Detailed View".   
• To save your scan, click on "Next", then "Save".   
• Use the option under the reply window to attach the report to the thread (Drag and drop here or browse files to attach).  

2. Run the Intel® Processor Diagnostic Tool and send the results either in a screenshot or .txt file. To save the report, once the test is done, click on "File >> View Results File" and attach the .txt file to your reply. 

3. Run the Intel® Extreme Tuning Utility (Intel® XTU) and send us a screenshot of the frequencies and temperatures while running the stress test of this tool. 

4. Please provide a screenshot of the Task Manager while playing a game: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager with a keyboard shortcut or right-click the Windows taskbar and select “Task Manager.” Move to the Performance tab and provide a screenshot.  

5. You mentioned this did not happen back in April or so, do you remember making any specific changes before the issue started? 

Regards, 

Sebastian M  

Intel Customer Support Technician  

[rory274]

there was no changes that would cause the cpu to slow, it may have been running poorly previously but I only noticed that it was running 100% around that time, it was when the stuttering started to occur. Regardless here are the results. Thanks for helping

[Sebastian_M_Intel]

Hello rory274,  

Thank you for the information, please try the following and let us know about the outcome:  

You may want to use this link for reference: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/resources/how-to-fix-high-cpu-usage.html 

1. Can you confirm if this is happening only while gaming and to those specific games (R6, COD: Modern Warfare)? Or does it happen with other application/tasks or games? 
2. Besides the game, what other programs (including the ones in the background) are running? Please include a screenshot of the Processes tab of the Task Manager. 
3. Check your Power Options by clicking the start menu and typing “Edit Power Plan”. Once open, click “Power Options” in the address bar at the top of the window. Click “Show additional plans”, then enable a non-power saver plan (High performance). 
4. Update your BIOS to the latest version available in your system manufacturer (OEM) website. Check with MSI* for guidance: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/B360M-BAZOOKA#down-bios 
5. I can also see that you are using an outdated Windows version, try updating your Operating System (OS) to the latest version available, check with Microsoft* for guidance: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4027667/windows-10-update 

Regards,  

Sebastian M   

Intel Customer Support Technician   

Links to third-party sites and references to third-party trademarks are provided for convenience and illustrative purposes only. Unless explicitly stated, Intel® is not responsible for the contents of such links, and no third-party endorsement of Intel or any of its products is implied.  

[Sebastian_M_Intel]

Hello rory274,  

Were you able to check the previous post and follow our recommendations? Please let me know if you need more assistance.   

Regards,  

Sebastian M  

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[Sebastian_M_Intel]

Hello rory274,  

We have not heard back from you, so we will close this inquiry. If you need further assistance or if you have additional questions, please create a new thread and we will gladly assist you.  

Regards,  

Sebastian M  

Intel Customer Support Technician