'System Idle Process'

[~*Nat*~]

I recently got into the habit of checking the Task Manager whenever I think of it.
But as a total techie ignorant, I of course have no idea what is what, and What does What...::)

I noticed at the bottom what it's called the "System Idle Process",
and its CPU has been running between 70 - 95. It keeps changing.

I've heard that the higher the CPU of any Process, the badder it is...isn't that correct?

What exactly is the SIP for....and is the high number "normal"?

P.S. All other Processes are in the zeros or some say 0 - 05 etc...


Thank's for helping me understand.:)

[gerardwil]

Hi Natascha,

It's completely normal when your system idle is above 90%. It's idle.
Maybe some English speeking guys can explain more better than I do (lag of time also ;D)

Cheers,

Gerard

[nick s]

Hi Nat68,

This is what BlackViper (http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/strangeservice.htm) has to say about System Idle Process:

Idle: This is a generic process that is used when no other program or process is requiring CPU resources. It is not a bad thing if it is using 99% of your CPU! This process is a 16 k loop that the CPU processes while it is not doing "anything" else. If you computer is called upon to do any other task than nothing, the idle process allows that to happen and the % used will decrease accordingly. You can not disable the idle process. If it is using 97% CPU, which only means that the other 3% is used by real programs. If your idle process is constantly at a low rate (for example, 3%) something else, an application or process is using the CPU.

What you're seeing is normal behavior.

Nick

[dog]

Hi Nat, ;)

The System Idle Process isn't a process, is more like a counter which is displayed in Task Manager, which shows how much idle time the CPU is having at any particular time.

HTH, ;)

Steve

[MikeBCda]

Think of it as what's left over, essentially unused, after all "real" applications and processes have taken what they need. My SIP typically runs in the 95 to 98 percent range -- and don't forget that the Task Manager is itself using some when you have it open.

[gerardwil]

Thanks guys for explaining :)
Cheers,

Gerard

[~*Nat*~]

Wow, I'm impressed ! Fast replies, easy to understand explanations - (almost like "baby talk") ~ exactly what Nat needs, in matters like this !! :D
It's good to know that I don't have to worry about it then.

Thank's so much Gentlemen ! :)


gerardwil: english is not my First language either, and I understood you wonderfully. ;)

[Birkhauer]

great, this info. helps! thanks guys.