Strange CPU Usage and Slowdown

[skyseemstragic]

First off, I have Windows XP Home.  Recently while gaming, mostly World of Warcraft, I noticed that every 3-4 seconds the entire game will lock up for a moment.  This happens consistantly during play and led me to try to figure out why.  When I bring up the Windows task manager and look at the performance tab, I can see the CPU usage spiking to around 50-60% in about the same timing as the hiccups WoW experienced.  I assume this is the cause of it, but I do not know why this is happening.  Any ideas?

[Calum]

Look in the processes tab - what is using the CPU power?
That'll tell you which process is eating your resources, and then you can learn how to solve it.

[skyseemstragic]

The CPU usage goes to 'System' every few seconds when it spikes.

[fffreak]

We need more info, could you tell us your system specs?

[skyseemstragic]

Okay.    Like I said it has Windows XP Home.  It has an Intel Pentium 4 2.66Ghz CPU, 1 gig of RAM, 80 gig hard drive, GeForce 6600 vido card.  I'm not sure what you need exactly, if it's more than that let me know.  I also run Norton antivirus and it doesn't show that there's anything wrong atm.

Just to refresh, my CPU usage is still spiking to 40-50% every few seconds.  The process 'System' is using that percentage of the CPU when it spikes for a moment before going back to 'System Idle Process' then repeating.

[fffreak]

I'm betting it has something to do with your video card. Have you tried updating to the latest drivers.

[skyseemstragic]

I just updated my drivers, the problem persists.  I failed to mention in the original post that I just noticed the drain on the CPU from the hiccups in gaming, but it occurs all the time - even when I have just rebooted my system.

For example I just now restarted to complete the driver update.  As soon as I could check the process monitor/performance tab, it already showed the same pattern.

[Calum]

So the CPU usage spike happens all the time in the same pattern?
Are you malware-free?

[fffreak]

This is odd are you sure it is "System" and not System.exe? What is the memory usage in K(Kilobytes) when your computer spikes? So this is normal? How long has this been happening for? What was the last thing you did before this started happening?

[skyseemstragic]

Yeah, it's just 'System' that sits at the bottom of the list normally with 'System Idle Process'.  The mem usage actually stays the same (240 K) when the CPU usage shoots up to 40-50%.

[Calum]

The first bit sounds normal, the CPU usage doesn't.
Is there anything running in the background?

[highlight]Are you malware-free?[/highlight]

[highlight]How long has this been happening for? What was the last thing you did before this started happening?[/highlight]

[fffreak]

This sounds pretty normal to me, as when I check mem usage it is only 220K. But looks like I have to sit out on this one. But We'll keep the light on. LOL

[Calum]

But looks like I have to sit out on this one.

Why?

[fffreak]

But looks like I have to sit out on this one.

Why?

I don't think I know the answer to this question. but...

So this is normal? How long has this been happening for? What was the last thing you did before this started happening?

Are you malware-free?

[skyseemstragic]

I first noticed this occuring while gaming, I really can't tie it down to any one event in particular.  I've run Norton antivirus and that didn't pick up on anything.  If you have anything else you would reccomend running, I'm open for suggestion.

This occurs when nothing else is running, even immediately after a restart.