CPU Usage Percentage

by Darren H
(Hkent, UK)

When you see your CPU usage percentage in the Task Manager, does the percentage represent the amount of CPU your system is using, or the amount you still have left to use?

I'm pretty good with computers and applications, but this one has always stumped me.

Answer

There are actually 2 answers to your question. I'll give you both.

First, if you are looking at the task manager under the processes tab, find the task called system idle process. The number beside it is the percent of your CPU that is not being used.

Seconds, if you are looking at the task manager under the performance tab, the number you see there is the current percent that the CPU is currently in use.

If you happen to be running gadgets in Windows Vista or Windows 7, you can simply enable a gadget the runs anywhere on your computer that will show you how much of your RAM and CPU your system is currently using. I find this a nice tool to quickly get the system information.