How to Check Your Computer's GPU & CPU Usage

Welcome to Blackview (Brand of good but cheap mini PC, laptop, tablet, etc.) blog. Hope this "CPU & GPU" related guide helps.

Your computer’s GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) plays a crucial role in handling graphics-intensive tasks such as gaming, video editing, and rendering. And the CPU acts as the brain of the computer and processes various data. Monitoring your GPU and CPU usage is essential for ensuring optimal performance, troubleshooting issues, or understanding resource demands during specific tasks like gaming or video editing. This guide will show you how to check your GPU and CPU usage on both Windows and macOS systems.

For Windows Users

Method 1: Using Task Manager

• Open Task Manager:
• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or Ctrl + Alt + Del, or right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
• Switch to the “Performance” Tab:
• Click on the Performance tab at the top of the Task Manager window.

Check CPU Usage:

• On the left-hand menu, select CPU to see real-time usage, speed, and other details.

Check GPU Usage:

• Scroll down the left-hand menu and select GPU (it might display as "GPU 0," "GPU 1," etc., depending on your system configuration).
• Here, you’ll see details such as GPU utilization, memory usage, and engine activity.

Method 2: Using Resource Monitor

• Open Resource Monitor:
• Press Windows + R, type resmon, and press Enter.
• Go to the CPU tab for detailed CPU usage data.
• For GPU usage, you’ll need to rely on Task Manager or third-party tools (Resource Monitor does not display GPU stats).

Method 3: Using Third-Party Tools

• MSI Afterburner: Download and install MSI Afterburner to monitor GPU usage, temperature, and other metrics.
• HWMonitor: Install HWMonitor for a detailed breakdown of CPU and GPU performance, including power consumption and thermal data.

Note: Please check if the software is safe before download it.

For macOS Users

Method 1: Using Activity Monitor

• Open Activity Monitor:
• Press Command + Space and type Activity Monitor, then press Enter.
• Switch to the “CPU” Tab:
• In the Activity Monitor, click on the CPU tab to view real-time CPU usage for each process.

Check GPU Usage:

macOS does not directly display GPU usage in Activity Monitor. To monitor GPU usage:

• Open Console and search for "GPU events."
• Alternatively, use third-party tools like iStat Menus for a more detailed GPU breakdown.

Method 2: Using Terminal

• Open Terminal (press Command + Space, type "Terminal," and press Enter).
• Use commands like top or htop (if installed) to monitor CPU usage in real time.

Tips for Accurate Monitoring

• Close unnecessary applications to focus on the programs you want to analyze.
• Run a stress test (like using a benchmarking tool) to simulate high loads and observe resource usage.
• Regularly monitor temperatures alongside usage to avoid overheating issues.

By following these steps, you can effectively monitor your computer’s CPU and GPU usage, allowing you to optimize performance and troubleshoot issues.