LivoPC team · AI-assisted editorial summary
How to monitor CPU, GPU and RAM in Windows
Check CPU, GPU and RAM usage, find resource-hungry apps and monitor your PC with LivoPC Monitor.
Updated on · Fundamentals
What to consider first
In Windows, open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Use Processes to compare apps and Performance to track your computer's resources. LivoPC Monitor provides local monitoring in its own interface, with a widget and available sensors. Observe the task that exhibits the problem before deciding on an upgrade.
A high percentage does not prove a fault or establish a universal bottleneck. CPU, GPU, RAM and storage measure different resources. Monitoring shows signs to investigate, not an automatically confirmed cause.
For anyone who plays games, works with multiple apps or wants to understand what happens during a slowdown.
Want to track resources while using your computer? Download LivoPC Monitor for Windows. Local monitoring works without an account; available sensors and features vary by version and hardware.
1. Start with Task Manager
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. In Processes, sort by CPU or Memory to find the biggest consumers at that moment. In Performance, monitor the available CPU, Memory, disks and GPUs. Observe while the symptom is occurring; once the task is over, a screenshot may not reflect the problem.
- Note which task you were running and which app stood out.
- Save your work before closing an app.
- Do not end unfamiliar system processes just because they appear at the top.
2. Read each resource for what it actually tells you
Compare equivalent measurements. Total computer usage and a single process's usage cover different scopes. A GPU has distinct engines, such as 3D and video decoding; one may be busy while another is idle. Identify the graphics card and engine shown before comparing tools.
| Resource | What to observe | Next question |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Usage and active process | Is the expected task using the processor? |
| GPU | Graphics card and engine in use | Am I looking at the right GPU and type of workload? |
| RAM | Memory in use and open apps | Does the symptom change when closing a familiar app? |
| Storage | Disk activity and available space | Is a copy, update or sync in progress? |
| Temperature | Sensor reading in °C, when available | How does the reading behave during the same task? |
3. Follow the session with LivoPC Monitor
Install the app from the official download and open “Monitor and alerts”. Check the available metrics and enable the widget if you want to keep them close while working. Local use does not require a LivoPC account. Linking a PC to the platform and authorizing data transmission are separate actions.
- Compare the same time interval and task; tools may update at different times.
- Check the process list in the app when you need to relate usage to running applications.
- The FPS, overlay editing and customization described in the gaming guide are features of version 1.11, which was undergoing certification when checked on October 10, 2026.
4. Change one thing at a time and repeat the task
Hypothetical example: a call slows down while another app exports a video. First record which resources change during the export. If possible, pause that task, repeat the call under the same conditions and compare. An improvement guides the next investigation; by itself, it does not prove that you need to buy RAM, a CPU or a GPU.
- Record the task, time, symptom and change made.
- Compare usage, temperature and observed behavior, not just the highest number.
- If the problem occurs in only one app, investigate its settings and updates too.
5. Distinguish live readings from the history you need to keep
Seeing a metric on screen does not mean it will be saved on the website. In the state verified for this guide, process names and FPS in Monitor are local readings and do not form a process or FPS history in the web dashboard. For a future investigation, make your own notes about the task and context; review screenshots before sharing, as they may show personal information.
Frequently asked questions
Is 100% CPU or GPU usage always a problem?
No. A task may make heavy use of the resource it was designed for. Relate usage to the task's duration, the computer's responsiveness, available temperature readings and the symptom you want to investigate.
Are RAM and graphics card memory the same thing?
No. RAM is the system's main memory. Depending on the hardware, the GPU may have dedicated memory and also use shared memory. Check which measurement the tool is displaying before adding or comparing values.
Do I need an account to monitor my PC?
Local monitoring in LivoPC Monitor can be used without an account. Saving and linking information to the platform requires the account flow and corresponding permissions.
Can I later review the processes that used the most resources?
The local list lets you observe the current moment. This guide does not promise a history of the biggest consumers on the website: sending and storing a top 10 list of processes is not yet available in the verified state.
How this guide was prepared
AI-assisted editorial summary. Official sources are linked to the passages they support; LivoPC procedures were checked against the implementation and documentation for version 1.11. Examples are hypothetical and cover images are illustrations, with no hardware measurements or game testing. Version 1.11 was undergoing Microsoft Store certification on October 10, 2026; this does not establish its availability for download. This guide does not base a diagnosis on an isolated reading.
- LivoPC Monitor — features, download and coverage limits · accessed on
- Microsoft — checking resource usage in Windows · accessed on
- Microsoft DirectX — GPU, engines and memory in Task Manager · accessed on
Apply it to your PC
Want to track resources while using your computer? Download LivoPC Monitor for Windows. Local monitoring works without an account; available sensors and features vary by version and hardware.
Suggest a guide correction