PC Lagging and jumping CPU Usage after a Format.

Hello! This is my first post on this forum, so sorry if I chose the category wrong.

About 4 days ago I've formatted my PC, Erasing all the data I had on the drives, and Resetting partitions.
Before the format, I've used x32 Windows 7, and after the format I wanted to switch to 64bit.

After the entire thing, to my suprise, all devices but GPU were installed just after I've finished the system instalation. (The Network was working, and the Sound as well.)
So I started readying up the system to proper work, I also noticed, that my CPU usage was oddly high, I thought that maybe it's because I haven't installed all the windows updates yet. So I started installing needed applications- my GPU driver, Anti-virus, Mozilla browser, and then started installing Windows Updates. After they were all done, The issue haven't stopped. I looked at my processes, there wasn't anything weird in there, I disabled Windows Update from services, thinking that maybe this was eating 100% of my CPU, but it didn't stop.
Then I thought it maybe was an issue with my installment, So I started another format, and installed a new clean version of the OS.
This time, I've decided to download more drivers than just the GPU one. I've installed the Chipset drivers- they were hard to find for my PC- and then the GPU driver, But the issue still remained. I scanned my PC with CCleaner, Avast and Malwarebytes, those programs haven't found anything that could be wrong. I've checked settings in my BIOS, everything's okay in there, and I've also checked windows' power management. I set the power to "High performance" and I think after that, The CPU usage wasn't that crazy. It sometimes jumped from 0 to 20% when nothing was happening.
So I've decided to see if everything is working now, Installed a game, League of Legends to be specific, and started it.
Before all the formats, I had 140/120 FPS in the game, and the lowest my game went was 80FPS when a lot of thing were happening on the screen. Now, The game feels laggy, and I have no more than 50FPS that is dropping to 30 when something is happening. To be honest, the entire PC feels laggy.
My CPU usage, on the time of writing this post is 2%, Jumping to ~40% for 2 seconds when i open the Task Manager. In game, The CPU usage is aroung 70/80%.
I think that this CPU usage is okay, comparing to the 90/100% when I wasn't doing absolutely anything on the PC, but the Lag remained the same.
[The temperatures are Okay, The Pc is also cleaned from dust, I've checked my Rams and graphics card inside, and everything was okay. The Motherboard's battery was replaced around 2 weeks before the format, so that isn't likely the issue as well.]
I'm not sure what to do anymore.

Specs:
 

The PC is Dell Optiplex 755 with added more RAM and Graphics Card.

Windows 7 HP x64
4GB DDR2 Ram
Intel Core2 Duo E6550 @2.33 Ghz
Nvidia Geforce GT710 [2GB DDR3]

Thank you in advance! I really want to bring back my PC's performance from before the format.

Have you checked temperature of the GPU, or just the CPU cores?

I would also suggest you run Task Manager (Ctrl-Shift-ESC) and leave it open for a few minutes. Then click on the CPU column to sort the entries, from executable taking the most to the least CPU cycles. Then tell us maybe the top two or three executables and how much RAM each is taking.

You've not installed anything else but what's listed in your first post?

Edited by Shplad, 26 January 2019 - 07:24 PM.

Have you checked temperature of the GPU, or just the CPU cores?

Yes, I've Checked both CPU and GPU Temperature, both are okay, and normal.
 

 

I would also suggest you run Task Manager (Ctrl-Shift-ESC) and leave it open for a few minutes. Then click on the CPU column to sort the entries, from executable taking the most to the least CPU cycles. Then tell us maybe the top two or three executables and how much RAM each is taking.

The top 3 processes that are running sorted by cpu usage, are "AvastUI.exe", "nvapiw.exe" and at the time of writing this, Firefox. But not counting it, then the next one is "dwm.exe" When it comes to the numbers in the CPU column, They take only 02 each. With RAM, Avast takes 8800 K, nvapiw.exe 3500 K, Firefox 150000 K (the only tab i have opened is this forum) and dwm.exe takes 15000 K.

The CPU usage is quite normal when things are running, but when i try to open a new thing, It jumps to 100% and slows down everything, no matter what i try to open, if it's a game, Firefox, or even the task manager itself. Not sure if it's quite normal. What worries me the most, is the 3 times lower framerate in my game than before the reinstall.
 

You've not installed anything else but what's listed in your first post?

I think yes. I've Installed only Avast, CCleaner, The Chipset and Graphics Drivers, Firefox and League of Legends.

Hmmmm...I can't think of anything else right now that cause the spikes in CPU.

Have you actually run a full scan for viruses, using updated antivirus signatures? Even a drive with a clean install might have something on there.

Do you have Malwarebytes running its full, memory-resident realtime scanner, or just installed for on-demand scans. I've seen MWB slow down machines quite a bit. Have you tried disabling the realtime scanning portion of MWB or even uninstalling MWB? Which version of MWB is it?

Are you certain those chipset drivers are the latest for your model?

Hmmmm...I can't think of anything else right now that cause the spikes in CPU.

 

Have you actually run a full scan for viruses, using updated antivirus signatures? Even a drive with a clean install might have something on there.

 

Do you have Malwarebytes running its full, memory-resident realtime scanner, or just installed for on-demand scans. I've seen MWB slow down machines quite a bit. Have you tried disabling the realtime scanning portion of MWB or even uninstalling MWB? Which version of MWB is it?

Yes, I've  ran a full scan with both MalwareBytes and Avast. None of those detected anything.

I installed MalwareBytes only for the one full scan, and uninstalled it shortly after. The only antivirus i have running in the background is Avast. It was most likely the newest version of MWB.
 

Are you certain those chipset drivers are the latest for your model?

To be honest, no. I'm not sure of that. I've checked on Dell's website, and I've also checked with SlimDrivers app. They tell me I have the newest drivers from my model. But I myself am not sure. As I said, they were difficult to find for me, so that might be it. If you could find Chipset Drivers that are right for this model and are the latest, that'd be great,

I have never seen a machine where the CPU usage didn't jump to migh or high tens when you run Task Manager. I believe that is fairly normal. But it should go back down to single digits or similar within a few seconds. Does it do that?

Thinking about the framerate in your gaming, have you checked to see which version of DirectX you have installed?

Avast is off the preferred list of many techs these days. I'm not sure why, as I haven't reviewed that subject lately.

However, since your problems seem mostly to occur with the framerate of games, I'm leaning away from Avast as being a problem. Of course, you could, as a test, disable Avast's realtime scanner and then see what happens when you run a game afterwards. Make sure, of course, to remember to turn on the realtime protection again after your test.

Which version of chipset drivers do you have installed and what is the Dell service tag number?

Edited by Shplad, 27 January 2019 - 11:35 AM.

I have never seen a machine where the CPU usage didn't jump to migh or high tens when you run Task Manager. I believe that is fairly normal. But it should go back down to single digits or similar within a few seconds. Does it do that?

 Oh, Yeah, It does go back to normal. It's just the 2 seconds after opening Task Manager, or literally any program.
 

Thinking about the framerate in your gaming, have you checked to see which version of DirectX you have installed?

It's DirectX 11
 

I have never seen a machine where the CPU usage didn't jump to migh or high tens when you run Task Manager. I believe that is fairly normal.

Avast is off the preferred list of many techs these days. I'm not sure why, as I haven't reviewed that subject lately.

However, since your problems seem mostly to occur with the framerate of games, I'm leaning away from Avast as being a problem. Of course, you could, as a test, disable Avast's realtime scanner and then see what happens when you run a game afterwards. Make sure, of course, to remember to turn on the realtime protection again after your test.

Tried doing that as well. The difference is unnoticable.
 

Which version of chipset drivers do you have installed and what is the Dell service tag number?

And Here I'm not sure how to check which version do I have. Also, Is it possible to check my Dell service tag on the Dell's website? because i just saw the sticker on my Optiplex is gone for some reason.

A spike of a few seconds is very normal. I wouldn't worry about that.

Hmm...wait..in your OP, you wrote "Windows 7 HP". What does that mean? Do you mean that you are using an HP disc as your source media for installing on this Dell?

The service tag is usually stored in hardware on Dells, in addition to being on the sticker. So if the sticker is missing, then you can go into hardware setup and usually find a Dell service tag. I believe it's under a tab called "Info" or System Information.

Also, if you go to the support webpage with that PC and click on "Detect Producct", that should tell you your 7-digit service tag number.

Edited by Shplad, 27 January 2019 - 11:51 AM.

Hmm...wait..in your OP, you wrote "Windows 7 HP". What does that mean? Do you mean that you are using an HP disc as your source media for installing on this Dell?

Oh no no, The HP in here means (or at least was supposted to mean) Home Premium.

Also, I'm not sure if I'm able to post my service tag here. I remember it's connected to all the things with the machine, and with the support service as well, so I think posting it on a public forum would be quite risky..

Inin:

EDIT: Service tag is somewhat unique, but can't be used for many nefarious purposes unless the person who

gets hold of it has your address/contact info. It also can't be used directly for any hacking purposes.

Someone might ostensibly try to obtain tech. support for an identical model PC.

More here:

https://security.stackexchange.com/questions/188175/does-giving-out-dell-service-tag-of-my-device-pose-a-security-risk

Optiplex 755 is just a starting point. Then, the service tag provides info. on the exact hardware, software, warranty and accessories the machine shipped with. It does not provide anyone with any hardware or software passwords/security credentials or other benefits that they wouldn't otherwise get without the tag.

You will also notice that people all over the web publish their service tags freely, without concern.

That being said, if you're still concerned, just do the above Detect Product process and follow the prompts, making sure the website says you have the latest chipset drivers installed. That's really important on any installation.

Which other games have you tried since all these reinstalls of Windows? Are you sure you didn't have any settings in your very first install that weren't maximizing performance/framerates that you haven't set now? Did you change resolution/detail levels or any other visual settings since?

Edited by Shplad, 27 January 2019 - 12:19 PM.

Which other games have you tried since all these reinstalls of Windows? Are you sure you didn't have any settings in your very first install that weren't maximizing performance/framerates that you haven't set now? Did you change resolution/detail levels or any other visual settings since?

I've tried only this one game. Though after the reinstalls the entire PC feels slow, not only in game. Apps like Discord I've downloaded today are very slow and lagging as well.
I'm sure I'm using the same settings as I used before the format, at least in game. In windows, something might have reset.

 

Inin:

 

EDIT: Service tag is somewhat unique, but can't be used for many nefarious purposes unless the person who

gets hold of it has your address/contact info. It also can't be used directly for any hacking purposes.

Someone might ostensibly try to obtain tech. support for an identical model PC.
 

do the above Detect Product process and follow the prompts, making sure the website says you have the latest chipset drivers installed. That's really important on any installation

Yeah, Then I've Scanned for new drivers/drivers i have not installed on Dell's website, The results told me that there is one driver to download "Chipset |Intel AMT HECI, v.3.2.20.1049 PV, A02" So I've downloaded it, The download overwrote some files, and I've installed the driver. Maybe that was the issue, I missed one driver.

Other driver that were shown in there were the BIOS drivers (A19 and A22), I already Have the newest (A22) So i didn't install those.

EDIT: Despite the fact I've installed the missing driver, The website still finds it, and says it's not installed.
Durning the Instalation, the instalator didn't pop-up that this is a newer/older version, it was just overwriting files, so I'm not sure if that was it.
 

Edited by Inin, 27 January 2019 - 12:27 PM.

Thanks. If that driver was only Intel AMT (Active Management Technology), then no, it is likely irrelevant and won't help in this situation. That is for managing and remotely controlling PCs for maintenance purposes and is generally only used for business/enterprise.

Good that you checked for the latest BIOS and have it installed.

So, going from general to specific, we've checked:

BIOS firmware version

CPU and GPU temps

Windows drivers

graphics driver

Which version of the graphics driver are you using? You can check this in:

Control Panel-->Device Manager-->Display Adapter-->Properties

or by running the DirectX Diagnostic Tool

To do this, type dxdiag at a command prompt. That will often yield clues as to what might be incorrectly or poorly set up with your graphics system. It will also show (on the Display tab) the version of graphics driver that is currently installed.

However, you sort of skipped a step in your comparisions. IIUC, you have not done a full Windows update run since reinstalling Windows. We should really run Windows Update. You may be missing Windows hotfixes/patches that address your problem.

Do you have a backup drive of some sort? If so, I suggest you make a drive image of your main hard drive using a tool like Macrium Reflect or Easeus TODO Backup. Both are free.

I say that because I'd like you next to run a full session of Windows update, and let it update whatever it thinks it needs in terms of Windows essential updates.

What were your CPU and GPU temps, exactly?

Edited by Shplad, 27 January 2019 - 12:50 PM.

Have you tried running a DirectX diagnostics (by typing dxdiag)? That will often yield clues as to what might be incorrectly or poorly set up with your graphics system.

I did that once, And I did again. I'm not sure if im using it well, but It said that there are no problems on every page.
 

By the way, what are your CPU and GPU temps, exactly?

Temperatures are : CPU : Core 0 = 30C [86F] | Max 32C [89F]
                                         Core 2 = 31C [87F] | Max 34C [93F]
                               GPU : 35C [95F] | Max 35C [95F]
I used HWMonitor to check that.

Inin:

Yes, you're right, those are very well within normal range for temps, so those look fine

What version of the graphics driver is installed?

You said you added the graphics card after purchasing the PC. Who is the mfgr. of that card?

Next up: Have you run any benchmarks to see if your HDD or SSD is performing properly? I'd suggest downloading and running CrystalDiskMark. That's a free app, and IIRC, doesn't require an installer. Perhaps you can download and run that tool and post a screenshot of the results? Do you know how to post a screenshot?

Are you familiar with checking which memory-resident apps/modules are running at startup? I doubt anything would be large enough to slow down performance this much, but there might be something that is abnormally dragging down system speed.

Edited by Shplad, 27 January 2019 - 12:57 PM.

Inin:

 

Yes, you're right, those are very well within normal range for temps. What version of the graphics driver is installed?

The latest x64 Graphics driver compatible with my GPU. Not sure what version is it to be exact. 417 i think.
 

Next up: Have you run any benchmarks to see if your HDD or SSD is performing properly? I'd suggest downloading and running CrystalDiskMark. That's a free app, and IIRC, doesn't require an installer. Perhaps you can download and run that tool and post a screenshot of the results? Do you know how to post a screenshot?

i haven't tried any benchmarks yet, I don't know how to do that.
And with posting screenshots, i wanted to post one from HWMonitor, and it didn't work, so I can say i don't know how to post it.