something is using up my cpu but i cant figure out what it is

**libihero** · February 28th, 2013

for the past week, i would randomly get high usage of my cpu, but i can not figure out what it is. when i go to system monitor, it shows all my cores are working, but when i try to figure out what program is hogging it, they are all quiet. i attached two pics to try to explain what i mean

**matt_symes** · February 28th, 2013

Hi

Have you considered using a terminal program such as

Code:

top

or its improved brother

Code:

htop

Code:

sudo apt-get install htop

They can give you detailed cpu usage information for user space programs.

Run it in a terminal and keep it minimized. Keep an eye on system monitor and when you get high cpu usage, take a look at top/htop in the terminal.

It should tell you what is using your cpu.

Kind regards

**chadk5utc** · February 28th, 2013

Originally Posted by libihero

for the past week, i would randomly get high usage of my cpu, but i can not figure out what it is. when i go to system monitor, it shows all my cores are working, but when i try to figure out what program is hogging it, they are all quiet. i attached two pics to try to explain what i mean

go to a terminal and simply type sudo top
http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/how-do...ilization.html
you can also use sudo iftop which may have to be installed this will show network connections.

**Ms. Daisy** · February 28th, 2013

Open a terminal by pressing ctrl + alt + T

Then type

Code:

top

which will display the processes running and the percentage of cpu they are using. It will report the PID, which you can use to kill the cpu-hogging process.

**libihero** · February 28th, 2013

it has been a reallyyy long time since i posted here since ubuntu has been running fantastic for me the last couple years

i forgot how amazing the community is

thanks everyone!