CPU usage is always high

[LeHerpDeeDerp]

My cpu usage has been really high. I can't have anything more than Skype open before it hits 10% minimum. Then if I were to open Chrome and open Pandora, it launches to 15-20% on a good day. I can't play more than a few games on BF4 before my cpu hits 90%+ My Minecraft with no texture packs or shaders, and Skype run about 65% on average. I've had this build since August, and the problems only started occurring in late November. I've done multiple virus and malware scans, and I've cleaned out all unnecessary things. I recently took off my Cooler Master Hyper 212EVO cpu cooler, rubbed off the thermal paste, and put on my Intel stock fan for sake of space for another case fan I've had. I haven't seen any temp differences, and I figured the 212EVO would really only out-perform the stock when I OC; which I won't for a while. I know people with i3's that are getting better usage than me. Can anyone help me?  (Also, since I got my HDD with Win 7 pre-installed from another computer, I do not have the Win 7 sticker to prove it's a legal copy, so I can not take it in. Or so I've been told.)

 

Thanks.

 

 

Specs:
CPU: i5-3570K
Graphics: GTX 760SC
Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V LX LGA 1155 Intel Z77
HDD: 1TB WD 5400rpm
PSU: Corsair CX750 Builder Series
RAM: 8GB Corsair
CPU Fan: Intel Stock

 

[Shd0w2]

Nevermind, its not what I thought.

[StormtrooperStu]

You could have some king of malware or spyware running with out you knowing.

 

Run Superantispyware or Antimalware and see what comes up.

[LordGarth6]

is there a program that starts up with your pc and/or in the background

[Thunderjolt]

Well I thought that would be pretty normal usage.

[Bloodyvalley]

Clean install.

[Rheinwasser]

If that Windows 7 copy was installed with different Hardware CLEAN INSTALL!

[loony979]

you don't have any gadgets going do you i learn t the hard way ,Never ever use gadgets . for me the issue was LCD burn & memory would very slowly start to climb up using all the mem .

 

A fresh install Remembering to Back up all DATA is recommended .

Re-seat the CPU clean/place new paste .

test that ram .

see if you can narrow down what that may be.

Im not 100% sure on the matter but there is a few ways to test/to/see ... :)

[Shd0w2]

Someones mining on your computer without you knowing! (Kidding)

 

But honestly they could actually be using your computer for unknown operations, like the virus that took over computer and made those computers take over others.... I ALWAYS THINK OF 3D PRINTERS 3DPRINTING EACHOTHER when I think of that

[TheTechGenius]

Open up Task Manager and see exactly what is using all that CPU Usage.

 

 

I remember a few weeks ago I had the same problem almost. I would be watching a video or browsing the internet and my CPU Usage would go to 99%, and I have an i7 3770K in that system. It turned out to be one little program that was using all that CPU Usage, I forget the name of it, but I'm almost positive it was some kind of Adware. I ended the Task in Task Manager and Deleted it from my PC, and also stopped it from booting with Windows via MSConfig.  I never had that problem again.

[LeHerpDeeDerp]

I've ended all the unneeded processes, checked for malware, reapplied thermal paste, and nothing changed. Google Chrome and Skype both use the most cpu usage, and I've done a fresh install of both of them, and again nothing. 

[LogicalDrm]

Chrome is one powerhungry browser. Your CPU should hit high usage while gaming. That means that its doing something. If it hits over 20% while browsing or on desktop, you have something wrong. How your ram usage?

[LeHerpDeeDerp]

HDD with pre-installed Win 7, and chrome a lot of times hits more than 20%.