iMac still high system CPU usage even after factory reset

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valiot Author

Level 1

8 points

iMac still high system CPU usage even after factory reset

I have:

macOS Big Sur

Version 11.71

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)

Processor 4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7

Memory 32 GB 1600 MHZ DDR3

Graphics AMD Radeon R9 M295X 4 GB

2TB SSD upgrade (Aura Pro X2)

I'm having high CPU load stuck at about 63%. This is after I reset the system and installed a fresh copy of macOS. Considering that it can't possibly be malware or 3rd party apps considering the fresh install. How can i figure out what the issue is?

I also ran mac fan control to see the CPU temperatures and they are all pretty cool, so no signs of overheating:

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Dec 8, 2022 5:09 PM

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Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,158 points

Dec 8, 2022 6:13 PM in response to valiot

First, let's change the default "View" settings for Activity Monitor (AM) from "My Processes" to "All Processes." Right now you are looking thought a pinhole:

Changing that will give the full picture. However, remember that the AM display is dynamic, changing every few seconds. One screenshot may not capture everything that is at play.

My suspicion is unneeded third-party anti-virus and so-called "cleaning" apps. Their raison d'être is to take your money. They will create a higher system load and are useless on a modern Mac. Those processes may not show with your current "View" settings in AM.

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iMac still high system CPU usage even after factory reset

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