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Okay, I don't get exactly how this stuff works. I have downloaded these Windows desktop gadgets to tell me about my CPU and GPU usage, and all that stuff, but Im not sure what any of the readings even mean?
Here is a picture. If you look at the bottom right hand corner of the screen you'll see the CPU and GPU monitors, can someone just eduacate me a little bit on what they are saying and what they mean.

I put Crysis 2 on to get it going so there would be something to read

I thought this would be appropraite in the Mod section, if it isn't then delete or move it Thank you.

This woulda been much better in the Tech Desk. This has nothing to do with modding Oblivion.

But to answer your question. The usage basically means how much to the capacity of the of the Processor is being used. And how much within each core is being used too.

In case you don't know what each part is, the CPU (Central Processing unit) is the main chip that processes everything, and the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) runs graphic based information to take some load off the CPU for certain types of game data (Shadows, texture, etc). Your RAM is your Random Access Memory which basically stores information to be used now or later. (An example would be World space data for Oblivion).

The Clock speed is how much information each processor can process in every second. And you can have multiple cores to process different tasks at once.

So in your picture, your 8 cores, (well, your i7 only has 4 cores but 2 threads per core), are all processing certain tasks well below their limit. And your RAM is using somewhat of half of what you have. And your GPU is being quite strained (and it's rather hot too), but your VRAM, (RAM used on graphics cards) is hardly being strained.

Also, the Shader Clock, (yet another smaller CPU chip designed to process shadows) has it's speed shown as well.

Make sense?

Spiney wrote:This woulda been much better in the Tech Desk. This has nothing to do with modding Oblivion.

But to answer your question. The usage basically means how much to the capacity of the of the Processor is being used. And how much within each core is being used too.

In case you don't know what each part is, the CPU (Central Processing unit) is the main chip that processes everything, and the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) runs graphic based information to take some load off the CPU for certain types of game data (Shadows, texture, etc). Your RAM is your Random Access Memory which basically stores information to be used now or later. (An example would be World space data for Oblivion).

The Clock speed is how much information each processor can process in every second. And you can have multiple cores to process different tasks at once.

So in your picture, your 8 cores, (well, your i7 only has 4 cores but 2 threads per core), are all processing certain tasks well below their limit. And your RAM is using somewhat of half of what you have. And your GPU is being quite strained (and it's rather hot too), but your VRAM, (RAM used on graphics cards) is hardly being strained.

Also, the Shader Clock, (yet another smaller CPU chip designed to process shadows) has it's speed shown as well.

Make sense?

Thank you so much Spiney I'm glad I know this now
From what you described, my computer's doing pretty well for running Crysis 2 on full settings
I wasn't aware there was a Tech Desk section

Hadrianus wrote:Thank you so much Spiney I'm glad I know this now
From what you described, my computer's doing pretty well for running Crysis 2 on full settings
I wasn't aware there was a Tech Desk section

Though your GPU seems to be getting a little hot, and it doesn't seem to have a fan. Do you have a laptop or something?

Also, Tech Desk, General Section, fourth one down.

Spiney wrote:

Hadrianus wrote:Thank you so much Spiney I'm glad I know this now
From what you described, my computer's doing pretty well for running Crysis 2 on full settings
I wasn't aware there was a Tech Desk section

Though your GPU seems to be getting a little hot, and it doesn't seem to have a fan. Do you have a laptop or something?

Also, Tech Desk, General Section, fourth one down.

It is a laptop Should I be worried? I used to be worried, but my dad beat the 'paranoia' out of me Apparently me worrying about the computer's temperature is excessively [&@%!]

Hadrianus wrote:It is a laptop Should I be worried? I used to be worried, but my dad beat the 'paranoia' out of me Apparently me worrying about the computer's temperature is excessively [&@%!]

It's an Alienware right? Those ones are always Overclocked. And yes, worry about temperature. My CPU only hits above 50 degrees when I'm on for hours. Some for my GPU.

Moved.

About the temperature: it seems that in the screenshot you have 65 degrees Celsius for the GPU, which is quite normal. Readings up to 90 are found, and even above --- you should Google about it. I have a factory overclocked MSI 8600GT, and it can go up to 120 degrees without problems... you could easily fry eggs there!

Video cards may go hot. They're built to take it and make it. In a laptop it may cause a problem not necessarily evident in a desktop, because the laptop is a tight surrounding, and the heat will spread to other components - a desktop has "air around"... So, if not a problem for the video card itself, it may constitute a problem for the system.

Take care.

Andere wrote:About the temperature: it seems that in the screenshot you have 65 degrees Celsius for the GPU, which is quite normal. Readings up to 90 are found, and even above --- you should Google about it. I have a factory overclocked MSI 8600GT, and it can go up to 120 degrees without problems... you could easily fry eggs there!

Video cards may go hot. They're built to take it and make it. In a laptop it may cause a problem not necessarily evident in a desktop, because the laptop is a tight surrounding, and the heat will spread to other components - a desktop has "air around"... So, if not a problem for the video card itself, it may constitute a problem for the system.

Take care.

Thank you Im slightly worried now, my laptop is literally my life What can I do to prolong its life??

For my laptop, which gets rather hot, I got a little stand that had a fan in it. That helped keep it cool.

Well, you don't really have place for extra fans or water cooling inside a laptop, the solution is probably something like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop_cooler, goes in line with Spiney's experience: get a few fans blowing from underneath, either a factory made solution, or construct it by yourself. Laptops weren't intended for gaming, they were intended for miscellaneous work and office work; the heat produced in intensive gaming is too high to get out by normal measures. Some laptops make gaming, no doubt about it, but the mechanical construction is at its edge - you get enough of energy in as heat, you also have to get it out.

"Real gamers", and I'm not one , have up to 6 or 8 fans... not to mention overclockers, a cast of their own, they use liquid nitrogen to cool the processor . But I'd say, generally, you have no real need to worry about temps. 65 degrees at 89% usage is quite safe. Normally your usage will be far below the 89%, meaning lower temperature. No need to panic, that is. And modern components are sturdy, the first thing you most likely will experience in a potential situation of overheating is not breaking down of components, but system shutdown: your Windows will go down, but your components will survive --- a reboot, and there you go. In case you experience frequent shutdowns, you need to get conserned --- otherwise not, in my opinion.

But cooling, yes, you can hardly have too much of it.

Whipsey... "Singing in the rain".

Andere wrote:Well, you don't really have place for extra fans or water cooling inside a laptop, the solution is probably something like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop_cooler, goes in line with Spiney's experience: get a few fans blowing from underneath, either a factory made solution, or construct it by yourself. Laptops weren't intended for gaming, they were intended for miscellaneous work and office work; the heat produced in intensive gaming is too high to get out by normal measures. Some laptops make gaming, no doubt about it, but the mechanical construction is at its edge - you get enough of energy in as heat, you also have to get it out.

"Real gamers", and I'm not one , have up to 6 or 8 fans... not to mention overclockers, a cast of their own, they use liquid nitrogen to cool the processor . But I'd say, generally, you have no real need to worry about temps. 65 degrees at 89% usage is quite safe. Normally your usage will be far below the 89%, meaning lower temperature. No need to panic, that is. And modern components are sturdy, the first thing you most likely will experience in a potential situation of overheating is not breaking down of components, but system shutdown: your Windows will go down, but your components will survive --- a reboot, and there you go. In case you experience frequent shutdowns, you need to get conserned --- otherwise not, in my opinion.

But cooling, yes, you can hardly have too much of it.

Whipsey... "Singing in the rain".

Im going to try getting my hands on some fans or something Im regretting getting a laptop now, I should have bought a desktop

Thank you so much for the help

Hve you also tried applying new thermal grease onto the GPU and CPU coolers?? I know on a laptop those are passive, but that usually also helps...

That, and cleaning the air vents (using compressed air cans is the best way, but even with a dry cloth you can clean it kinda ok)

If you're unsure or don't feel confortable opening your laptop though, stick with the cleaning and buying the base cooling fans, don't open its chassis unless you know what you are doing (or take it to a tech, that's always a good option given they don't charge much).

Some good advice, Zmery. No doubt.

But Hadrianus, if you have a new computer, with warranty, you should be careful about opening it: it'll likely void any warranties - big companies are masters in limiting their responsibility. Just giving you a friendly warning, ok?

Thanks again guys I will probably take it to a tech, I don't feel comfortable cleaning it myself...