CPU usage at idle "spiky"

[corrado33]

New(ish) rig. Overclocked my 6600k to 4.5 MHz. It runs super stable, no issues whatsoever. However, I've never really watched CPU usage before, so I'm not sure what to expect. 

 

At idle my CPU usage (in task manager) is "spiey" It bounces between 1 and 15% every other "tick." Nothing is currently running. (Other than task manager)

 

Also, my CPU speed (frequency) goes up and down as well. I first noticed this in the MOBO's tools. Is this normal? I'm going to remove the overclock and watch the usage then to see if does the same thing...

[anybodykek]

The frequency goes up as well, I'm pretty sure it has something to do with turbo boost. And I've had that issue before, my CPU goes from 2% to 10% occasionally. It's the system.

[ARikozuM]

You overclocked to 4.5Mhz?

[corrado33]

6 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

You overclocked to 4.5Mhz?

Yes? Anything wrong with that? It's what Linus started out on his "overclocking skylake chips" video. His was an I7 6700k, but still, I've been told you can overclock them similarly. I could get more out of it, which I may do eventually, but for now I have no need. CPU temps are still 40-50C.

 

As for the original topic. Even after removing the overclock it still does that, so I'm going to guess it's normal. 

[ARikozuM]

Just now, corrado33 said:

Yes? Anything wrong with that? It's what Linus started out on his "overclocking skylake chips" video. His was an I7 6700k, but still, I've been told you can overclock them similarly. I could get more out of it, which I may do eventually, but for now I have no need. CPU temps are still 40-50C.

 

As for the original topic. Even after removing the overclock it still does that, so I'm going to guess it's normal. 

No, the joke was 4.5 Mhz vs Ghz. What's your voltage?

Clock speed is dynamic and will go up and down depending on needs of the system. Do you survive benchmarks, stress tests, and games as you validate?

Also, can you check Resource Manager for any errant programs stealing cycles?

[corrado33]

12 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

No, the joke was 4.5 Mhz vs Ghz. What's your voltage?

Clock speed is dynamic and will go up and down depending on needs of the system. Do you survive benchmarks, stress tests, and games as you validate?

Also, can you check Resource Manager for any errant programs stealing cycles?

Ahhh sorry. I'm used to working with little atmel chips which often run at MHz ranges. Apologies. As far as I've tested it (Cinebench, hours of gaming) I've had no issues yet. I haven't run a multi hour (12 hour) stress test yet, but will soon. From what I've come to understand, many people online OC them to 4.7 to 4.8 GHz

[ARikozuM]

Just now, corrado33 said:

Ahhh sorry. I'm used to working with little atmel chips which often run at MHz ranges. Apologies. As far as I've tested it (Cinebench, hours of gaming) I've had no issues yet. I haven't run a multi hour (12 hour) stress test yet, but will soon.

Forget the 12 hour burn and do a varied gaming session to get real-world results. If nothing is wrong with the OS or any programs it could just be Task Manager giving low or high readings.