[Faust]

Intell 6600K extremely high CPU usage

I recently built a new PC, where I had some problems getting the system to boot. The thread for that can be found here. When I finally managed to get that system to boot, I encountered the following problems:
- Drivers off the ASUS site would just not install correctly (VGA, USB, Chipset are all problems).
- In Windows I can just not get the mouse and keyboard to work properly (will not recognize any additional button functions). Linux doesn't have these problems.
- Any games I run (on Windows or Linux) consume so much CPU resources, they just lag beyond playability.
- Many applications (such as Firefox) cause extremely high CPU usage as well, ranging in the high 70%.

This is my build:
Mobo - ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming
CPU - Intel Core i5 6600K
RAM - Kingston HyperX Savage Black 16GB DDR4-2400 CL12 (dual kit, one stick DOA)
CPU Cooler - NZXT Kraken X61
Boot Drive - Smasung 850 EVO 250GB SSD
PSU - Cooler Master G650M
GPU - MSI Radeon R9 270X Gaming 2GB

I have concluded that the problem doesn't lie with the OS, since Windows and Linux both have the same problems (except the USB recognition). This same logic leads me to believe that drivers aren't the major issue here either (correct me if I'm wrong). Which leaves the hardware.

Could it be that my CPU is somehow malfunctioning? Or the Mobo? Or perhaps the GPU in some weird fashion? I am thoroughly our of ideas, and would appreciate any and all help.

 

[Masterchiefxx17]

What problems are you encountering with the driver installs? Any errors?

Try running SFC /scannow within Windows, what is the result?

Are you running Windows 7 SP1?

The drivers are a main issue here since Windows doesn't know how to use your hardware correctly.

 

[Faust]

I'll try and answer your questions in order:

- The newest drivers for the chipset would at first not install, because of missing Intel components. I managed to solve this by installing an old version first, and then the newest. The GPU and USB driver installs would both fail. If you need screenshots of the errors, let me know, and I'll make some.

- I haven't heard of SFC/scannow before. I'll run those, and post results.

- If the drivers are the main issue here, how come Linux demonstrates the same problems, aside fun the USB?

 

[Faust]

I ran SFC /scannow, and got the result that some files are corrupted but not all could be recovered. I added the .log file (in a .zip archive, it's too large otherwise) as an attachment to this post, since it's way too long to post as text.

I have to note that even opening this large .txt file (which is only about 5MB) was taxing enough for the CPU for it to experience usage spikes up to 100%, especially in combination with loading this webpage. The idle load would sit at around 33%, with only Steam (17%) running aside from Firefox (2%) and Notepad (0%). Nothing in the process list would indicate or justify anything like this, though.

And to answer the question you had posted and I forgot to address: Yes, I run Win7 SP1. It's installed with all the recent updates too. My other Windows 7 install, which is a fresh install (with SP1) with only updates installed, shows the same symptoms.

As for errors during driver installs: the USB drivers fail with a message saying "The program cannot in stall one or more drivers. It will now close." No codes or anything. The VGA drivers would not even start the installer, quitting right away with the message: "This computer does not meet the minimum requirements for installation of the software."

 

[Faust]

I've done a clean Windows 7 Install on an SSD, to see if the problem is isolated. It isn't. I'm getting the same problems on the fresh install. I made some screenshots of the performance I'm getting vs. the processes running at the time, in the attachments. As you can see, I get 88% CPU usage when hardly anything is running according the process list. Also, I made a screen shot of the error window I get when trying to install the Intel VGA drivers.

I've also attached a SFC /scannow screenshot, since the previous .log file is probably way too large. It shows there are no integrity vioations.

I'd appreciate any other suggestions you might have as to what might be gong wrong. I'd hate to have to RMA the CPU as well.

 

[bassfisher6522]

You don't need the Intel VGA driver....as that is for the GPU that is embedded on that CPU. You will only need that if you connect your monitor directly to your mobo.

You need to disable the onboard GPU (Intel HD 530 graphics) and then make sure that the PCIe X 16 slot you have you RX270 installed in is enabled in the BIOS. Your GPU should be installed in the top/first PCIe X16 slot on your mobo.

Then you need to make sure what BIOS your running...Legacy BIOS, UEFI or UEFI/Leagacy.

 

[Faust]

I'll dispense with the VGA driver then. Any ideas as to the USB drivers?

How do I disable the onboard graphics? In BIOS?

If I remember correctly, I'm running UEFI BIOS. Is the BIOS version important to the GPU?

 

[Masterchiefxx17]

Speaking of the BIOS, is it fully updated?

Still sounds to me that the drivers are not functioning correctly for the CPU. You may nee to warranty it.

 

[Faust]

Yes, the BIOS is fully updated. I did that during the build. It's at version 1805, which is the latest version on the ASUS site.

So, I should RMA the CPU? Or could it be a motherboard issue as well (seeing as I can't get the USB drivers installed at all)?

 

[Faust]

Could it be that this is a simple bottlenecking issue (aside from the driver issues)? I've done a bit of testing with games in windowed mode, same issues occur with the CPU reaching high 90%, but with the GPU staying at about 30%.

Now, I am testing with an MMO, which is pretty CPU intensive, but this just seems way off. Plus, bottlenecking should not be an issue with this CPU and this card, since this CPU is supposed to be much more powerful. I'd expect to see it the other way around.

Could this be another clue of a faulty CPU?

 

[Masterchiefxx17]

No, I don't think this is a bottleneck issue. My advice is to RMA the CPU even though motherboards have a higher failure rate.

 

[Faust]

So, I contacted ASUS customer service with regards to the USB drivers, and they told me this problem occurs more often with this board, and that I should try to remove CMOS battery for 10 minutes. I thought: "Well, this is to be expected from the bad ASUS customer service I keep hearing about. But what the hell, I'm desperate". Well, color me surprised when this not only solved my USB problems, but also all the other ones. I'm deeply ashamed I didn't think to do this earlier.

Here's a big shout out to ASUS customer service, for not only answering my query within 3 hours, but also for solving a problem I had been working on for 10 days in 10 minutes. Thank you guys.

And thank everyone here for pitching in with ideas. I'd never have had the spirit to continue troubleshooting without you.

 

[Masterchiefxx17]

I'm surprised. Glad to hear it's working again and thanks for sharing that method.

 

[Faust]

I'm surprised. Glad to hear it's working again and thanks for sharing that method.

I'm surprised too. But according to the guy that answered my support query, resetting CMOS by removing the battery for 10 minutes does more than shorting the pins on the motherboard.

Hope this solution benefits others as well.

 

[Faust]

I have received additional information from ASUS as to the CMOS battery removal solution: Clearing CMOS with the onboard short switch clears CMOS and resets the BIOS, but removing the battery also reinitializes the onboard devices on the motherboard in addition to that.

 

[JimE]

CPU's typically work or they don't. I would have suspected a motherboard issue before the cpu.

 

[Geekomatic]

"Clear CMOS"... Far too many people do NOT do this when they're having hosts of odd issues. I've found it solves a LOT of boot issues.

Glad it's sorted. Nothing as frustrating as finally getting all of your parts together & getting stuck in a loop!

:thumb:

 

[RayS1]

Hey Faust,

I'm glad you solved the hardware issue. In future, if you ever need to examine the output of the SFC /scannow scan, enter the following at the Command Prompt:

findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log > "%userprofile%\desktop\sfcdetails.txt"

Copy this exactly as shown including quote marks and blank spaces. You will find a reasonably short log on your desktop named
sfcdetails.txt

RayS1

 

[nofear187]

Maybe try another video card if that’s an option, just a thought