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[Solved] Acer VX 15 Laptop: 100% CPU Usage While Playing Hearthstone & Using Opera Browser

sztylet077 27804 15
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  • #1 16632325
    sztylet077
    Level 14  
    Posts: 193
    Rate: 3
    Hello.
    I have a new Acer VX 15 laptop for several days. Components:

    Intel(R) Core (TM) i5-7300HQ - 4 cores
    GTX 1050 4GB
    8GB RAM
    Windiws 10
    1TB disk
    -I use windows defender (I got rid of Norton)

    When playing in Hearthstone and the open browser Opera with Twitch (I play and watch / listen) processor usage once is 60-70% and lasts a moment, then jumps to 100% and so stays a few minutes, then drops to 80% and returns in a moment down 95-100% - this is how it lasts most of the time

    Acer VX 15 Laptop: 100% CPU Usage While Playing Hearthstone & Using Opera Browser

    I do not want to believe that the browser and so old / poor game are able to use 100% Prock processor. Especially that when playing CS: GO I have 100-170 FPS using 60-70% Prock processor. EDIT: Although I don't know if playing Procek the processor does not jump higher. I can't exclude fps drops either.

    As for temperatures, they are great (low). After playing for one hour in CS Procek the processor reaches ~ max 70 degrees C. During HS +, the browser also does not heat up.

    Can you help me with these spikes in CPU usage and general high usage?
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  • #2 16632518
    Killlu
    Level 24  
    Posts: 574
    Help: 64
    Rate: 65
    Disable the automatic update service and check if something changes: services.msc, windows update, ppm -> stop.
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  • #3 16632535
    Kolobos
    IT specialist
    Posts: 85152
    Help: 17158
    Rate: 10418
    @Killlu nothing will change, you can see what is burdensome. There is no WU there.

    @ sztylet077 does the load somehow affect the operation of the system / game?
  • #4 16633145
    sztylet077
    Level 14  
    Posts: 193
    Rate: 3
    @Kolobos when Procek 99-100% processor work is probably obvious that the game and the system is slower.

    I noticed one thing, namely when I drop the game on the bar, the fps drop to 0 and when I click the icon to maximize it they return from 0 to 140. Is this normal and does it happen in every game?
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  • #6 16633364
    sztylet077
    Level 14  
    Posts: 193
    Rate: 3
    What does this app cause in this mode? Does the processor load something like a benchmark?
    How exactly to fire it?

    In addition, I am very interested in visit at:
    I noticed one thing, namely when I drop the game on the bar, the fps drop to 0 and when I click the icon to maximize it they return from 0 to 140. Is this normal and does it happen in every game?
    Playing CS: GO and dumping the game on the bar, the CPU load due to the game is 2-3% :O

    Maybe something is set that minimization causes a huge decrease in performance?
  • #7 16633380
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    Posts: 21951
    Help: 2719
    Rate: 1583
    Depends on the card. Will I get a stress test result?
  • #8 16634132
    sztylet077
    Level 14  
    Posts: 193
    Rate: 3
    safbot1st wrote:
    Depends on the card. Will I get a stress test result?


    How to use this program? I downloaded, installed, launched, time has arrived, 20 minutes have passed, and what next? I gave it to save and leave and nothing happened. Do I have something more to click there?

    Added after 47 [minutes]:

    Oh! That's what you meant ?
    I had all programs shut down.

    Acer VX 15 Laptop: 100% CPU Usage While Playing Hearthstone & Using Opera Browser
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  • #9 16634158
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    Posts: 21951
    Help: 2719
    Rate: 1583
    And the rest of the table?
    Provide SMART disk.
  • #10 16634163
    sztylet077
    Level 14  
    Posts: 193
    Rate: 3
    Should I move down and do some screenshots? (I have to turn it on again and wait 20 minutes)
    I also have a LOG saved, it won't do anything?

    Added after 1 [hours] 8 [minutes]:

    When I play Hearthstone and Opera with Twitch is minimized, CPU usage is normal, i.e. ~ 60%, but when Opera is not minimized and I will switch between the game and Opera / Watch Twitch every now and then the processor works at max, i.e. 95-100%.

    This FPS drop from +100 to 0 while minimizing is normal and sudden increase from 0 to +100 when maximizing? Should the game not occupy the given amount of processor all the time?
  • #11 16634180
    arigato
    Level 28  
    Posts: 987
    Help: 81
    Rate: 85
    I know this is just a typo, but still!
    100% CPU usage means the same as 100% Grandma's usage ?!
    Such an old browser as the outdated Opera also uses plugins. Plugins generally update. Plugs like electricity.
    Dear friend - something for something.
  • #12 16634892
    sztylet077
    Level 14  
    Posts: 193
    Rate: 3
    Opera or Chrome without any plugins (clean downloaded) is the same.

    Strangely, as I wrote, when I throw it on the belt, wear suddenly decreases. As if hibernating but still working (music flies in the background).
    Dropping on the CS: GO bar causes the game to take 2% of the processor !!!! how it's possible ?
    Maybe I have some weird option enabled?
  • #13 16634963
    arigato
    Level 28  
    Posts: 987
    Help: 81
    Rate: 85
    Theoretically, this is how it should work. Background programs are less resource-consuming. Therefore, all programs present on this small bar load the System differently. Setting the mouse pointer on any - will activate: "boot" the processor.
    "Since the user has pointed to this object, he will probably want to start it in a moment. Don't be nervous, I'm smarter than him, that's why I will run this program now." Similarly, the "instantaneous" memory in the hard disk works.
  • #14 16638282
    sztylet077
    Level 14  
    Posts: 193
    Rate: 3
    So, as you can see, the 4 core processor can't handle using Opera and the old game at the same time.

    Added after 10 [hours] 34 [minutes]:



    Is the%% maximum frequency normal despite the low CPU usage?

    When I set high efficiency in the power options, this% is still over 100. When I set the balanced mode,% of the maximum frequency jumps once 40% so that it is 120% in a moment and jumps all the time.
  • Helpful post
    #15 16639157
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    Posts: 21951
    Help: 2719
    Rate: 1583
    Don't be misled by the resource monitor. The screen shows a real load of 35%, and the program reports proportions frequency - as can be seen in the mode of its saving - up to the maximum frequency he noted, that's why rubbish comes out.

    Added after 2 [minutes]:

    Ps. How did you paste the thumbnail from insert.org? We have our own hosting:
    https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/obrazki.php
  • #16 18204874
    sztylet077
    Level 14  
    Posts: 193
    Rate: 3
    Return of the laptop

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around an Acer VX 15 laptop experiencing 100% CPU usage while playing Hearthstone and using the Opera browser with Twitch. The laptop is equipped with an Intel Core i5-7300HQ processor, GTX 1050 GPU, 8GB RAM, and runs Windows 10. Users suggest disabling automatic updates and monitoring CPU load during gameplay. The author notes that CPU usage spikes to 95-100% when switching between the game and the browser, while minimizing the game reduces CPU load to around 60%. There are inquiries about the performance drop when minimizing games and whether this behavior is typical. Some responses indicate that background applications can affect CPU performance, and there are discussions about the implications of power settings on CPU frequency. The author also questions the accuracy of resource monitoring tools.
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FAQ

TL;DR: Real load was 35%, yet Windows showed 95–100%; “Don’t be misled by the resource monitor.” Verify with HWinfo/OCCT, minimize Twitch when multitasking, and check services. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16639157]

Why it matters: This FAQ helps Acer VX 15 owners fix or validate sudden 100% CPU readings during light gaming plus streaming.

Quick Facts

How do I tell if 100% CPU is real or a Windows misread?

Cross‑check Task Manager with HWinfo while running a 20‑minute OCCT stress. safbot1st notes, “Don’t be misled by the resource monitor,” citing a 35% real load despite scary readings. If HWinfo shows modest utilization and safe temps, the spike is cosmetic. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16639157]

What hardware was discussed in this Acer VX 15 case?

Intel Core i5‑7300HQ quad‑core, GeForce GTX 1050 4GB, 8GB RAM, Windows 10, and a 1TB hard drive. These specs can game well, but background streaming and browser rendering still tax CPU time slices during window switches. [Elektroda, sztylet077, post #16632325]

Why does my FPS drop to 0 when I minimize a game?

Minimizing tells many games to pause or throttle rendering. The thread author saw FPS plunge to 0 while minimized, then jump back near 140 when restored. That behavior is normal because the render loop deprioritizes work off‑screen. [Elektroda, sztylet077, post #16633145]

CS:GO shows only 2–3% CPU when minimized—normal?

Yes. When minimized, CS:GO dramatically reduces CPU work. The user observed 2–3% CPU usage minimized versus much higher when active. This reflects intentional background throttling to free resources. [Elektroda, sztylet077, post #16633364]

Can I try disabling Windows Update to rule out background load?

Yes. Quick test: 1) Press Win+R, type services.msc. 2) Open Windows Update, set Startup type to Disabled, click Stop. 3) Reboot and retest load. Re‑enable after testing to keep security patches flowing. [Elektroda, Killlu, post #16632518]

Why does the CPU frequency show 120% at times?

Resource Monitor reports frequency as a proportion versus a previously observed maximum. That can exceed 100% and look odd. safbot1st explains the display can mislead; rely on HWinfo sensor clocks instead. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16639157]

Is 60–70% CPU with 100–170 FPS in CS:GO acceptable on i5‑7300HQ?

Yes. The thread shows 100–170 FPS while CPU sits around 60–70%. That indicates the game and system remain responsive under load without thermal issues. [Elektroda, sztylet077, post #16632325]

Why does Twitch in Opera spike CPU when I alt‑tab?

With Opera visible and frequent switching, CPU climbed to 95–100%. Minimized, it stayed near ~60%. Foreground video decoding, layout, and compositor work intensify during window changes. Minimize or pause the stream while gaming. [Elektroda, sztylet077, post #16634163]

How do I run a quick verification test with HWinfo and OCCT?

1) Launch HWinfo in Sensors‑only mode. 2) Run OCCT for 20 minutes. 3) Capture HWinfo sensor screenshots after the run. Share temps, clocks, and utilization to compare against Task Manager. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16633331]

Should I worry about CPU temperatures near 70°C after an hour of CS:GO?

The report shows a maximum near 70°C and no heat issues. That is within normal gaming temperatures for this CPU class. Keep vents clear and fans unobstructed. [Elektroda, sztylet077, post #16632325]

Opera or Chrome without extensions still heavy—why?

Even stock browsers decode video, render pages, and manage streams. The user saw identical load with clean Opera and Chrome. Video playback plus game threads can saturate cores during context switches. [Elektroda, sztylet077, post #16634892]

Should I check my drive’s health if stutters persist?

Yes. Provide a SMART report so others can inspect reallocated sectors, pending sectors, and error rates. Disk latency can masquerade as CPU spikes during asset loads. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16634158]

Does minimizing Opera actually help during gaming?

Yes. With Opera minimized, CPU usage normalized to ~60% in the report. Keep streams in the background or use audio‑only when possible. [Elektroda, sztylet077, post #16634163]

What if none of this resolves my spikes or stutter?

Consider warranty service or a return if issues persist. The thread author ultimately returned the laptop, showing replacement can be the clean fix. [Elektroda, sztylet077, post #18204874]
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