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How to Check CPU and Memory Usage on a Computer
How to Check CPU and Memory Usage on a Computer
Cherry avatar
Written by Cherry
Updated over a month ago

Monitoring CPU and Memory usage helps identify performance bottlenecks, diagnose issues like slow system performance, and system crashes, and troubleshoot application-specific problems. For customer support teams, this information is crucial for resolving performance-related issues effectively.

Customer support teams may ask you to check CPU and memory usage to:

  • Investigate system slowdowns or freezes.

  • Identify resource-heavy applications causing performance issues.

  • Gather baseline data for further troubleshooting.

⭕ Key Features of CPU and Memory Monitoring

  1. CPU Usage: Tracks the percentage of processor resources used by applications and processes.

    • Why it matters: High CPU usage can lead to system lags or freezes.

  2. Memory Usage: Displays how much RAM is currently in use.

    • Why it matters: Limited available memory may result in application crashes or slowdowns.

⭕ How to Access CPU and Memory Usage on Windows and MacOS

On Windows

  1. Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, or Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.

  2. Switch to Detailed View: If the Task Manager opens in compact mode, click More Details at the bottom.

  3. Check Usage: Go to the Processes tab

    • CPU: Shows usage for each process under the CPU column.

    • Memory: Displays memory consumption under the Memory column.

    • For overall system performance, navigate to the Performance tab: Real-time graphs show CPU and Memory usage trends.

  4. In the Performance tab, click Open Resource Monitor for a detailed breakdown.

On macOS

  1. Open Activity Monitor:

    • Press Command (⌘) + Spacebar, type Activity Monitor, and hit Enter, or

    • Go to Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.

  2. Check Usage:

    • CPU Usage: Select the CPU tab to view individual process usage and overall CPU load.

    • Memory Usage: Select the Memory tab to see memory usage by process and system details like available memory.

  3. (Optional) Monitor from the Dock:

    • Right-click (or Control + Click) the Activity Monitor icon in the Dock.

    • Choose Dock Icon > Show CPU Usage or Show Memory Usage for a quick visual display.

⭕ Understanding Common Scenarios

  1. Identifying High Resource Usage:
    Pinpoint applications consume excessive resources, such as browsers with multiple tabs.

  2. Baseline Monitoring:
    Collect performance data over time for comparison or analysis.

  3. Troubleshooting Application-Specific Issues:
    Check if a specific application is causing performance bottlenecks.

😉 Tips From Support 💡

  • Capture Screenshots: Include CPU and memory usage data when reporting issues to support teams.

  • Escalate Recurring Issues: Provide logs from Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS).

  • Restart and Update: For consistent high usage, restart your computer and ensure all software is updated.

By following these steps, you’ll have the tools and knowledge to monitor your system’s performance effectively and collaborate with support teams to resolve any performance-related challenges.


Happy Recruitment, The VinnyWay🤩

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