Constant CPU usage from nvlddmkm.sys

[richardo]

Hi everyone, I'm having stuttering problems on my workstation:

Windows 8.1 64-bit
ASRock H77M
Intel I5-3470
GeForce GTX 650

When I boot up my computer it runs fine for a while (sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes an hour.)

At some point, the CPU starts running consistently at about 6-7% which is causing performance issues for movies/games. Once it starts,it never goes away until I reboot or uninstall the video driver.

I've used the Windows Performance Toolkit to analyze the issue and looks like nvlddmkm.sys is causing the issue.

What I've tried:

• Using the latest NVIDIA video driver
• Rolling back the video driver to the default one used by Windows 8.1
• Unplugging all USB devices. Also checked to see if there's any IRQ conflicts.
• I've checked the event viewer to see if anything special happens when the CPU starts racing,
• When I uninstall the NVIDIA video driver, the CPU goes back to normal.

I'm not sure what to do next. Thanks for any help you can provide
Richard

 

[popeye]

Welcome to the forum!

What model of computer exactly? Have you tried the graphics drivers from the manufacturer site? Also see if there are chipset drivers there that may need updated.

 

[richardo]

Hi popeye, it's a custom-built computer:

Windows 8.1 64-bit
ASRock H77M Motherboard
Intel I5-3470 Processor
GeForce GTX 650 Video card

I've updated all of the chipset drivers and have used the manufacturers (NVIDIA) video card drivers, both new and old.

Thanks,
Richard

 

[popeye]

So is this a new build and has it always done this?

 

[richardo]

It's an updated video card. The computer was running fine before. It looks like something with the video card driver is causing issues.

 

[popeye]

Well, 6-7% CPU usage is really not high, not sure if that is your real problem. What do temps look like and does GPU-Z show the new card being used?

Is there any BIOS setting that may affect it?

 

[Helmut]

The timescales involved sounds like overheating of the CPU or GPU, so check your CPU & GPU temperatures. Possibly a CPU/GPU package/heatsink/fan problem.

I use CPUID HWMonitor for temperatures, you may already have something suitable installed.

Insufficient PSU capacity to power the new Graphics Card....

Maybe, maybe not the cause(s) but at least it may eliminate a possible hardware factor.

 

[Alexro]

Hi everyone,

I know i'm necroing this thread but it's still one of the first results that pops up on google )

I also had constant 5-10 cpu usage from nvlddmkm.sys. Turns out, in my case, the problem was caused by MSI Afterburner monitoring clock speed frequencies and gpu usage. If you have your clock speeds and voltages set the way you want them and you finished testing for system stability, you can go to settings\monitoring and increase the hardware polling period (the first setting) from 1000ms to 60000ms to reduce the cpu usage to normal. This basically reduces the usage by 60 times but if you want to keep cpu usage to a minimum, you can keep afterburner closed and run it only while you are gaming.

If you dont have msi afterburner installed, the usage could still be related to any gpu tweaking utility or monitoring software.

Hope this helps somebody

 

[rashon]

Hi everyone,

I know i'm necroing this thread but it's still one of the first results that pops up on google )

I also had constant 5-10 cpu usage from nvlddmkm.sys. Turns out, in my case, the problem was caused by MSI Afterburner monitoring clock speed frequencies and gpu usage. If you have your clock speeds and voltages set the way you want them and you finished testing for system stability, you can go to settings\monitoring and increase the hardware polling period (the first setting) from 1000ms to 60000ms to reduce the cpu usage to normal. This basically reduces the usage by 60 times but if you want to keep cpu usage to a minimum, you can keep afterburner closed and run it only while you are gaming.

If you dont have msi afterburner installed, the usage could still be related to any gpu tweaking utility or monitoring software.

Hope this helps somebody

DUDE THIS WAS THE PROBLEM!! THANK U SM

 

[JoePiler]

Hi everyone,

I know i'm necroing this thread but it's still one of the first results that pops up on google )

I also had constant 5-10 cpu usage from nvlddmkm.sys. Turns out, in my case, the problem was caused by MSI Afterburner monitoring clock speed frequencies and gpu usage. If you have your clock speeds and voltages set the way you want them and you finished testing for system stability, you can go to settings\monitoring and increase the hardware polling period (the first setting) from 1000ms to 60000ms to reduce the cpu usage to normal. This basically reduces the usage by 60 times but if you want to keep cpu usage to a minimum, you can keep afterburner closed and run it only while you are gaming.

If you dont have msi afterburner installed, the usage could still be related to any gpu tweaking utility or monitoring software.

Hope this helps somebody

BRO!

I registered here just to say you rock


In my case it was openhardwaremonitor