Why the 2 different CPU % readings . . . ???

This is about HandBrake. And im curious to know why it is like it is ???

In this image you cant see the 3 arrows.



The top menu bar shows 100% for the CPU usage and the arrow next to it adds up to 100%.
Now the bottom arrow shows Handbrake at 165.1% (cpu usage ????)
This data is coming from iStat menus 3.. . . . .

Now in this image from Activity Monitor shows a high CPU % as well as the lower % adding up to 100%



Showing in at 180%. Its looks different from iStat but side by side they where the same, i just took the 2 images a few minutes apart.

Now my question is ?? Why is it showing 100% and then 100+ in AM and iStat . Where are the different readings coming from or why are they so different ??

I noticed in AM that it is using 216mb of real memory. I really only went into AM and look at the Stats because Safari was BeachBalling me for about 5 secs every time i clicked the mouse anywhere on the page. YEP you guessed it AM showed it using 1.3gb yes GB ....

So i quit and now all is good . . .

Does this make sense as to what im trying to say ??
Im just a little confused, why/ or what is giving me these 2 readings . . . .

My thinking *was* that anything over 100% would crash a system ??!!??

Cheers

PS. If you need more info, ask away. I tried to articulate what i was trying to say, the best i could lol

And eevn though this was mainly about HB, it goes for all the readings really. It was handbrake that looked abnormal to me so i used it as a example. Is why its in Operating System rather than Applications and Games. Move it if you think it needs it Mods

TattooedMac said:

My thinking *was* that anything over 100% would crash a system ??!!??

Click to expand...

Each core counts as a processor so if you have a dual core machine, you can see upwards of 200% processor usage. Quad core will get you to 400% and so on.

As to why there are differences, your guess is as good as mine. They may all be using different methods of getting the value, they may update their values at different intervals or both.

Was hoping someone with your nouce would pop in.
Thanks Van. So your saying if i was running this on a single core PC it would crash then ?? Being that it seems to use 180 odd % ??
Or would HB clock back to utilise what the Mac has ??

A program can only utilize what's available. HB on a single core machine wouldn't be able to use more than 100% for instance (doing so would be technically impossible).

Cool thanks mate. Wont push any further until i know a little more.

You did however quell my concerns on the OP

Cheers