Why are my games showing 100% CPU usage after SSD replacement?

July 22, 2025 2 answers
Asked by TechWizard22
I recently replaced my dying SSD and reinstalled Windows. Now, every game I try—even some older titles—shows 100% CPU usage, even on the lowest settings. Interestingly, when I open Task Manager, the CPU usage drops back to normal, but as soon as I close it, the issue returns. I can't seem to find anyone else experiencing this problem, so I'm hoping someone here might have some insights!

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CPU_Enthusiast55
Are you monitoring other software that might be affecting CPU performance? When Task Manager is off, is it just showing 100% usage, or is the CPU fan working harder too? Sometimes, background processes can cause issues that aren't always visible at first.

CuriousGamer88: Well, as soon as I open Task Manager, it goes back to around 3%, but my monitoring software shows 100% even on game menus where nothing is happening. I don't see any weird programs installed, but the old games aren't running well anymore.

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GamerGuru99
It sounds like your PC could have a malware infection that masks itself when Task Manager is active. You should consider running a full malware scan to rule that out. It's not likely that the SSD change itself caused this, but it’s worth checking just to be safe.

MysteriousFan2000: Infected? Like some sort of horror movie situation? Ah, the suspense!

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