In this day and age, most people have at least one device that is powered by a CPU. And as with anything else, it is important to know how to use it properly in order to get the most out of it.
It is crucial to have a strong understanding of how your computer works. By monitoring your CPU usage, you can ensure that your machine is performing at its best.
If you’re like most people, you want to squeeze every ounce of performance out of your computer. In this post, we’ll show you how to check your CPU usage and find ways to improve its efficiency.
We’ll also cover some basic troubleshooting steps in case you experience any problems. So whether you’re a newbie or a tech guru, be sure to read on!
How do I check my CPU usage – 5 easy ways to check your CPU usage
Monitoring your CPU usage is a crucial part of maintaining optimal performance on your computer. By keeping an eye on this number, you can ensure that your machine is running smoothly and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
There are a few different ways to check your CPU usage, and we’ll cover some of the most popular methods below.
Task Manager (Windows)
The first way to check your CPU usage is by using the Task Manager on Windows. To open this program, press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously. This will bring up a window with several tabs, and you should click on the “Performance” tab.
You’ll see a variety of statistics here, but what you’re interested in is the “CPU Usage” percentage. This number represents the number of your processor’s resources that are currently being used.
If this number is high and fluctuating rapidly, it could be an indication that your computer is overloaded and needs some attention.
Activity Monitor (Mac)
If you’re using a Mac, you can check your CPU usage by opening the Activity Monitor program. To do this, go to the Finder and click on “Applications.” Then, open the “Utilities” folder and double-click on “Activity Monitor.”
When the program opens, you’ll see a variety of statistics. Once again, what you’re looking for is the “CPU Usage” percentage. This number will tell you how much of your processor’s resources are currently being used.
If this number is high and fluctuating rapidly, it could be an indication that your computer is overloaded and needs some attention.
Unix/Linux Command Line
If you’re using a Unix or Linux machine, you can check your CPU usage by opening the command line and typing in the “top” command.
This will bring up a list of all the processes that are currently running on your machine, as well as some statistics about each one.
The column that you’re interested in is the “CPU%” column. This number represents the number of your processor’s resources that are currently being used by each process.
If any of these numbers are high and fluctuating rapidly, it could be an indication that the process is overloaded and needs some attention.
iStat Menus (Mac)
Another way to check your CPU usage on a Mac is by using the iStat Menus program. This is a third-party application that gives you a variety of system statistics right in your menu bar. To download this program, go to https://bjango.com/mac/istatmenus/.
Once you’ve installed and opened the program, you’ll see the CPU usage percentage in your menu bar. If this number is high and fluctuating rapidly, it could be an indication that your computer is overloaded and needs some attention.
Create a floating CPU monitor for your desktop
If you want to keep an eye on your CPU usage at all times, you can create a floating monitor that will sit on your desktop.
To do this, go to the “Widgets” tab in the iStat Menus program and click on the “CPU” widget. Then, click on the “Edit” button and drag the widget to wherever you want it to appear on your screen.
You can also customize the appearance of this widget by clicking on the “Style” button. Here, you can change the color, font, and other options.
Troubleshooting high CPU usage issues
If you find that your CPU usage is high and causing problems on your computer, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the issue.
First, try quitting any programs that you’re not using. This will free up some of your processor’s resources so that other programs can use them.
If that doesn’t help, you may need to restart your computer. This will close all programs and start fresh, which can often fix high CPU usage issues.
If you’re still having problems, you may need to uninstall any recently installed programs. Sometimes, these can cause high CPU usage issues.
You can also try running a virus scan. Sometimes, high CPU usage can be caused by malware or other malicious software.
Finally, if you’re still having problems, you may need to contact a computer technician for help.
Final Words
In order to keep your computer running at its best, it’s important to stay on top of your CPU usage. By monitoring your CPU and making changes when necessary, you can help ensure that your system is functioning as smoothly as possible.
Have you checked your cpu usage recently? If not, now is a good time to do so. Let us know in the comments below how you go about doing this and what tips you have for keeping your system healthy!
