Computer is slow and laggy while idling, works fine when any game is running in the background

[Rudolf5]

Hello! 

Been having this problem for a few months now but havent found any solutions yet so i thought i'd try here. 

As the title says my computer i lagging like crazy while no programs are active, when i just watch youtube for example. By laggy i mean very low FPS (about 10-20?), takes a few seconds to click on things and there is some wierd noise that sounds like sparks when i watch videos. The screen might also freeze for a second or two everynow and then. 

This however stops right away when a start a more demanding application and the computer then works fine,  I can run any game i've tried on the highest graphics. It works stable and as intended simply put. 

The changes i've made since i got the computer is changing some fans and also adding more of them. I did take everything out of the chassi at that time however this problem did not start in connection with that. It MIGHT have started when i made some long windows update over night, i can't remember for sure. Temperatures are stable both while gaming and idling. I recently made a factory reset so all settings should be original. 

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 8-Core 

GPU: Geforce RTX 3080Ti 

I would really appreciate any tips you might have what this might be, it is incredibly frustrating as it is a fairly new computer. 

Best regards 

Viktor 

[Danyal3]

1. Power settings: Check your power management settings to ensure they are not set to a power-saving mode that limits the computer's performance. Adjust the power plan to a performance or balanced mode.

2. Background processes: When idle, your computer may be running background processes or applications that consume system resources. Check the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to identify any resource-intensive processes and consider disabling or uninstalling unnecessary software.

3. Cooling and temperature: Excessive heat can cause performance issues. Ensure your computer's cooling system is functioning properly, and check if the CPU or GPU temperatures are within acceptable ranges. Clean any dust from fans or consider using a cooling pad.

4. Update drivers and software: Make sure your drivers, especially graphics drivers, are up to date. Check for updates for your operating system and other software as well, as outdated versions can sometimes cause performance problems.

5. Malware scan: Run a thorough scan with reliable antivirus or anti-malware software to check for any malicious programs that might be affecting your computer's performance.

6. Resource allocation: Check your computer's BIOS settings to ensure that the CPU and RAM are not being restricted or limited, Adjusting these settings may require technical expertise or consulting the manufacturer's documentation.

7. Hardware issues: If the problem persists, it could be due to hardware issues such as a failing hard drive or insufficient RAM. Consider running hardware diagnostics or seeking professional assistance to diagnose and resolve any underlying hardware problems

[Rudolf5]

Thanks for your time and response! 

I think the problem is solved now, i followed your steps and it was something with the powersettings for my CPU. I switched of the powersaving mode for the CPU and also changed the powerusage setting to Min 5% and Max 100%. The CPU is now idling hotter hand using more power but the problems i had are gone.