[Akalron]

Since I built my computer about three months ago, it has run like an absolute dream. No issues, no blue screens, no dips in performance at ALL.

Last Thursday, as I was going out of town, I turned my computer off (I normally just sleep it.) I returned home Sunday night, booted her up, and it feels like I'm running a computer from 2002 now instead. I went from Amazing performance on GTA to stuttering and FPS drops.

Apparently my CPU usage has skyrocketed. I have NO clue why, I have installed nothing new outside of drivers for my card, and windows updates. All of my software is legit, and I don't visit shady sites, but I ran a virus scan (On security essentials and Avast, at separate times) with no infectious results (both are now uninstalled, to conserve CPU)

This is becoming a pain, since I poured nearly 2 grand into this build, only 3 months ago, and I cant do any of my usual gaming on it.
Right now I have Skype and Firefox running, with steam in the background, and I'm idling at around 51%.

I have tried; Checking my process's, nothing unusual except for the high usage. Same programs running I always have running. Monitoring temperatures. Nothing is overheating that I can see. Checking Device Manager, no drivers missing or any warnings. Two different programs virus scans (not at the same time, I know better), nothing bad came up. Ensuring I had the latest drivers for my software, and latest windows updates. Asking several friends who work in IT/Game development for help, they were all stumped too.

Things I have not tried but have had suggested; RMA'ing my CPU and motherboard (Hoping to avoid that, I like to use my computer daily.) Reformatting and re-downloading everything (I don't have my ISO but I still have my key. plus, Comcast capped my data so that would put a damper on my life, having to re-download everything.)

Rig stats;
Windows 7 pro SP1 64 bit

ASrock z97 Motherboard
i5 4690k 3.5Ghz intel processor
2x4 (8gb) ddr3 Ram [team dark]
ASUS GTX980

I can provide screenshots of just about anything needed to help fix this. Just let me know what info you think may be helpful :)

(And I doubt the following are important but just in case) EVGA 750Watt power supply Ducky Shine 4 keyboard

[EliteTM]

Did you install signed drivers? Did you check startup (Run>msconfig>Startup) anything out of place? Just throwing ideas around.

[Akalron]

Did you install signed drivers? Did you check startup (Run>msconfig>Startup) anything out of place? Just throwing ideas around.

I always update my drivers from the official applications, or the official websites.
And yeah I checked startup, even turned off a few things that werent necessary like iTunes (curse you, itunes.) but performance is still spotty.

[datguy.dev]

Fact, leaving a computer turned off for a long period of time can damage it. Probably not the case here, but you don't get that many chances in this life to spread useless information. :)___________________

You should post a a screencap of your task manager, filtered by CPU usage, for a general base line. Something to reference in the future after making your fixes.

Could it be backed up tasks, where all the software on your system is playing catch-up from your break?

Try temporarily disabling Window updates (Win7) and then use Glary Utilities to fix up your machine. http://www.glarysoft.com/ Use the one click scan and enable all the options available. If there are errors on the disk reported, after cleaning, run CMD->"chkdsk -f" and reboot. G.U. also has tools for you to manage your startup apps, services, and tasks. At the least it will delete your filthy cookies. :P

[SOSA_]

Fact, leaving a computer turned off for a long period of time can damage it. Probably not the case here, but you don't get that many chances in this life to spread useless information. :)___________________

You should post a a screencap of your task manager, filtered by CPU usage, for a general base line. Something to reference in the future after making your fixes.

Could it be backed up tasks, where all the software on your system is playing catch-up from your break?

Try temporarily disabling Window updates (Win7) and then use Glary Utilities to fix up your machine. http://www.glarysoft.com/ Use the one click scan and enable all the options available. If there are errors on the disk reported, after cleaning, run CMD->"chkdsk -f" and reboot. G.U. also has tools for you to manage your startup apps, services, and tasks. At the least it will delete your filthy cookies. :P

I think it may be backed up tasks too. Dump your sys logs too.

[Akalron]

Fact, leaving a computer turned off for a long period of time can damage it. Probably not the case here, but you don't get that many chances in this life to spread useless information. :)___________________

You should post a a screencap of your task manager, filtered by CPU usage, for a general base line. Something to reference in the future after making your fixes.

Could it be backed up tasks, where all the software on your system is playing catch-up from your break?

Try temporarily disabling Window updates (Win7) and then use Glary Utilities to fix up your machine. http://www.glarysoft.com/ Use the one click scan and enable all the options available. If there are errors on the disk reported, after cleaning, run CMD->"chkdsk -f" and reboot. G.U. also has tools for you to manage your startup apps, services, and tasks. At the least it will delete your filthy cookies. :P

I believe that since Im running an SSD as my main boot drive haha.

So between running that program (which is amazing by the by, thank you!) and changing my power management, apparently I'm back up and running at full power.

Thanks gents! That was driving me ballistic, did not drop this kind of money for a paperweight lol