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Lately, I've been observing that my CPU often have higher load than it should.

After digging, I found a very weird and specific problem.

The facts :

  • I have a Vaio Z21 (VPCZ21C5E - Core i7 - Win7 x64), the Vaio Power Media Dock, and Plantronics Audio 655 DSP headset
  • The problem only occurs when I use the dock, and the headset plugged into the dock
  • The problem only occurs if the headset it set as Windows default audio device
  • The problem only occurs when specific applications / usages (see below)
  • It is the "System" process that takes approximately 20-25% usage. When looking a threads list, I can see that the culprit is a "nusb3xhc.sys" thread.
  • I updated my Renesas USB 3 driver to last version (2.1.28). Rebooted of course.

What happens :

  • When I load a webpage into a browser, System process goes up to 20-25% for 2 to 15 seconds, and then back to 0.
  • But for some specific sites (for example "https://web.whatsapp.com"), the "System" CPU load stays at 20-25%, constantly. As soon as I close the tab, CPU usage comes back to normal (approx 1% for "System" process).
  • Of course I tried multiple browsers and remove all browser extensions.
  • If I play a music (MusicBee) or a video (VLC), "System" process loads again to 20-25% (~1% if headset unplugged or not default)

I can't find any trace of this problem on Google.

I don't really know where to look now ...

Jalil
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  • It sounds like the problem is the dock. If you plug the headset directly to the computer and set it as the default audio device does this problem happen? – Ramhound Feb 24 '15 at 18:11
  • Yes. As I said, if I unplug the dock, no problem. It's a dock+headset problem. I still don't know how to resolve it. – Jalil Feb 24 '15 at 19:38
  • Verify if its just the sock you have. – Ramhound Feb 24 '15 at 19:54
  • nusb3xhc.sys = NEC Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller Driver. Try to update the driver. – magicandre1981 Feb 25 '15 at 05:48
  • NEC USB 3 host controller is the same as Renesas USB 3 host controller, which I updated to last version I found (2.1.28). – Jalil Feb 25 '15 at 11:07
  • I will try with another dock. – Jalil Feb 25 '15 at 14:18
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    try 2.1.39: http://www.station-drivers.com/index.php/downloads/Drivers/Renesas-Nec/USB-3.0/Renesas-Nec-uPD720200-720200a-USB3-Controller-Drivers-Version-2.1.39.0-WHQL/ – magicandre1981 Feb 28 '15 at 07:21
  • does the newer driver fixes it? – magicandre1981 Mar 14 '15 at 09:05
  • Hello magicandre1981. Sorry for my late response, I've been busy these days. I've just installed 2.1.39, and the problem is gone ! Thank you for your link, this version was not listed on official Sony drivers list. Would you copy/paste as an answer so that I can accept it and close the question ? – Jalil Mar 16 '15 at 15:58
  • ok, I posted an answer. – magicandre1981 Mar 21 '15 at 06:43

1 Answers1

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nusb3xhc.sys is the NEC Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller Driver. Drivers from OEM home pages are often very old. Try the latest version (Version 2.1.39) that I can find.

magicandre1981
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  • I've just installed 2.1.39, and the problem is gone ! Thank you for your link, this version was not listed on official Sony drivers list. – Jalil Mar 21 '15 at 19:55