High Parallels CPU Usage

koppah · Oct 4, 2012

Parallels seems to have gone down in efficiency with the release of PD8. When Windows is using about 20% CPU usage overall, the actual Parallels host in OS X can easily be using between 100 and 200%. Any reason why there's so much overhead...?

Currently, my total Windows CPU usage is hovering around 20%, but Parallels is at 150%.

pborzenkov · Oct 5, 2012

Please generate a problem report ("Help > Report a Problem") when CPU usage is high and post its ID here.

koppah · Oct 5, 2012

I will try to get one when I see this happening.

FYI, I *believe* it's something to do with the graphics driver. When the CPU has been high, it's when I've been running Office 2013, and the Desktop Window Manager is also increasing in CPU, implying it's got something to do with how Office renders its UI. I've had to disable Hardware Acceleration in Office, as it's corrupting the display.

REKREK · Oct 11, 2012

I have the same issue...here's my "Report a Problem" ID: 18815986

REKREK · Oct 14, 2012

Resolved High CPU Issue

REKREK said:
I have the same issue...here's my "Report a Problem" ID: 18815986

I ended up just uninstalling and reinstalling Parallels 8. That seemed to resolve my high CPU issues.

koppah · Oct 18, 2012

Reinstalling didn't fix it. I'm STILL seeing VERY high CPU usage. I seriously think it's something to do with the Graphics Driver, as one time, I closed Office, but the Desktop Window Manager was still using 50% CPU.

Parallels - are you looking into this?!

koppah · Nov 7, 2012

Is there any feedback from Parallels on this issue? I'm still seeing VERY high CPU usage for Office 2013 apps, and if I enable Hardware Acceleration, I get graphical corruption

serv · Nov 7, 2012

koppah,

Are you running the latest Parallels Desktop build 8.0.18314? If so, generate a Problem Report when you see the corruption and post report ID here.

koppah · Nov 13, 2012

So, I nuked the VM and started from scratch. Things seem much, much better now.

LellerP · Nov 13, 2012

Same issue here. Started happening after updating to the newest build 8.0.18314.
Not running anything in Windows, with Windows reporting low CPU usage.
My host OSX, however, shows that Parallels is constantly consuming at least 20%.
Battery life has gone down. Please help.
Support request ID is 19707857.

koppah · Nov 13, 2012

I'm also seeing constant 20% CPU usage now, but no longer high CPU usage from running Office 2013.

Matt Stratton · Dec 3, 2012

I have been seeing the same behaviour. Parallels 8 running Win8 with Office 2013 on a 15" MBPr with 16 GB RAM.

ccoxhead · Dec 5, 2012

Ditto. WinXP on MacBook Pro with 8 Gb RAM. VM is on an SSD. Problem Report 20287777.

Warwick599 · Dec 6, 2012

Same here, Windows 8 VM can be idle, but Parallels VM process on OSX easily approaches 200% CPU usage with fans running at full speed. Problem ID 20317647

ccoxhead · Dec 6, 2012

Believe it or not, my problem was solved with a Repair Disk Permissions in OSX.

mr_squall · Feb 6, 2013

Same issue! Number: 22073669

totvos · Feb 22, 2013

I have the same problem since upgraded to PD8. This is a continuous, as opposed to sporadic, problem. Right now, my Windows 7 VM is telling me Windows is using 0-1% CPU, while PD8 is using 52% of my MBP CPU.

Problem ID 22530885.

TechStefan · Feb 27, 2013

20-30% on MBP 2012

Same here, Parallels hovers at 20%, at times higher, while Windows apps are either closed or idle. Win 7 Ultimate.

JacopoC · Nov 18, 2013

Hi,

I have the same exact problem:

- Seven Ultimate x64 + Parallels Desktop 8.0.18608
(Rev 898384; Wed, 17 Jul 2013)...can anybody help me out?

Kind regards

ID 31047757

pborzenkov · Nov 18, 2013

JacopoC said:
Hi,

I have the same exact problem:

- Seven Ultimate x64 + Parallels Desktop 8.0.18608
(Rev 898384; Wed, 17 Jul 2013)...can anybody help me out?

Kind regards

ID 31047757

Could you post a screenshot of guest Windows with Task Manager's "Processes" tab (sorted by CPU usage), please?