CPU Prioritizes Downloads over Basic Functions

[FluffyZeuss]

Hey, when I am downloading anything for like games, my computer just dies. My audio cuts in and out, my screen freezes, and my computer as a whole just slows down beyond usability. It stays running, but becomes completely unusable. When I open Task Manager my CPU is maxed out at 100% at all times. If I limit download speeds on Steam for example it can work but it then becomes a game of trying to find the speed to limit my downloads to that lets me do whatever in the background while downloading things at faster than 5mb/s. My Ethernet is stupid good (700mb/s or more) and has never negatively impacted my experience. It almost feels like my CPU is prioritizing downloads over basic functions like running Windows which is really stupid. I have never messed around in BIOS before but a friend of mine told me it could be that. I don't think I could figure out BIOS on my own as I get lost anytime I go in. Anyone know how to help? (It is the MSI BIOS, that's all I know for that). I just bought a brand new SSD that was an attempt to fix the problem last time I posted on here, but the issue is still around. I have an i5-12600k with the new SSD being a SN 770 by Western Digital. My friend also has the same issue with a i5-10400. Please do not suggest this is an SSD issue as I have been there, done that, and can confirm that is not the issue.

[StDragon]

FYI, the previous post of the OP is found here.

 

The only other advice I have is to reinstall the OS fresh with updates, chipset drivers, and ensure network drivers are up to date too.

Also, create a bootable USB drive of Ubuntu. You don't have to install it, just boot from it and try downloading large files (like an Ubuntu or Windows ISO). Monitor CPU usage during that time. If all is good, then you don't have a hardware issue.

https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/try-ubuntu-before-you-install#1-getting-started

[FluffyZeuss]

6 minutes ago, StDragon said:

FYI, the previous post of the OP is found here.

 

The only other advice I have is to reinstall the OS fresh with updates, chipset drivers, and ensure network drivers are up to date too.

Also, create a bootable USB drive of Ubuntu. You don't have to install it, just boot from it and try downloading large files (like an Ubuntu or Windows ISO). Monitor CPU usage during that time. If all is good, then you don't have a hardware issue.

https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/try-ubuntu-before-you-install#1-getting-started

How do I reinstall the OS? 

[Eigenvektor]

2 hours ago, FluffyZeuss said:

How do I reinstall the OS? 

You can download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft (e.g. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10). It should let you create a bootable USB stick. Boot from the stick, remove existing partitions, then install Windows

 

Note: Reinstalling an OS will remove anything currently on your disk. So be sure to backup any files you want to keep to an external disk or another computer.

[FluffyZeuss]

58 minutes ago, Eigenvektor said:

You can download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft (e.g. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10). It should let you create a bootable USB stick. Boot from the stick, remove existing partitions, then install Windows

 

Note: Reinstalling an OS will remove anything currently on your disk. So be sure to backup any files you want to keep to an external disk or another computer.

Is there any other solution besides reloading the OS?

[Eigenvektor]

1 hour ago, FluffyZeuss said:

Is there any other solution besides reloading the OS?

As was suggested above, boot into a Linux distribution using a live USB image, see if you can replicate the issues. That should help rule out a hardware issue.

 

Otherwise, I'd say a reinstall is likely the fastest/easiest way with the most chance of success.