How to see CPU usage in Linux?

How to See CPU Usage in Linux

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the various ways to see CPU usage in Linux. CPU usage is an essential metric to monitor the performance of your system, especially when it comes to resource-intensive tasks like video editing, gaming, or server administration. In this guide, we will cover the most common methods to view CPU usage in Linux, including command-line tools, GUI applications, and system monitoring software.

Method 1: Using Command-Line Tools

1. top****

The top command is one of the most popular and widely used tools to monitor CPU usage in Linux. It displays a real-time list of processes, including their CPU usage, memory usage, and other system metrics.

• To run top, open a terminal and type top.
• The output will display a list of processes, with the CPU usage shown in the "Cpu(s)" column.
• You can use the --top-priority option to display the top processes in real-time.

CPU Usage (%)	Memory Usage (%)	System Load
0.0	0.0	0.0

2. htop****

htop is a more advanced tool that provides a more detailed view of CPU usage and system metrics.

• To run htop, open a terminal and type htop.
• The output will display a list of processes, with the CPU usage shown in the "CPU" column.
• You can use the --top-priority option to display the top processes in real-time.

CPU Usage (%)	Memory Usage (%)	System Load
0.0	0.0	0.0

3. htop -n 10****

htop -n 10 displays the top 10 processes in real-time, with the CPU usage shown in the "CPU" column.

• To run htop -n 10, open a terminal and type htop -n 10.
• The output will display a list of processes, with the CPU usage shown in the "CPU" column.

CPU Usage (%)	Memory Usage (%)	System Load
0.0	0.0	0.0

Method 2: Using GUI Applications

1. System Monitor****

System Monitor is a built-in GUI application that provides a comprehensive view of CPU usage, memory usage, and other system metrics.

• To run System Monitor, open a terminal and type sudo apt-get install system-monitor.
• The application will launch, displaying a list of processes, with the CPU usage shown in the "CPU" column.

CPU Usage (%)	Memory Usage (%)	System Load
0.0	0.0	0.0

2. CpuTop****

CpuTop is a popular GUI application that provides a detailed view of CPU usage and system metrics.

• To run CpuTop, open a terminal and type sudo apt-get install cpu-top.
• The application will launch, displaying a list of processes, with the CPU usage shown in the "CPU" column.

CPU Usage (%)	Memory Usage (%)	System Load
0.0	0.0	0.0

Method 3: Using System Monitoring Software

1. Linux System Monitor****

Linux System Monitor is a free and open-source system monitoring software that provides a comprehensive view of CPU usage, memory usage, and other system metrics.

• To install Linux System Monitor, open a terminal and type sudo apt-get install linux-system-monitor.
• The software will launch, displaying a list of processes, with the CPU usage shown in the "CPU" column.

CPU Usage (%)	Memory Usage (%)	System Load
0.0	0.0	0.0

CPU Usage (%)	Memory Usage (%)	System Load
0.0	0.0	0.0

CPU Usage (%)	Memory Usage (%)	System Load
0.0	0.0	0.0

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the various methods to see CPU usage in Linux. From command-line tools like top and htop to GUI applications like System Monitor and CpuTop, and system monitoring software like Linux System Monitor, there are many ways to monitor CPU usage in Linux. By using these tools, you can gain a better understanding of your system’s performance and identify potential bottlenecks.

Tips and Tricks

• To display the top processes in real-time, use the --top-priority option with top or htop.
• To display the top processes in a specific time range, use the --top-priority option with top or htop and specify the time range.
• To display the system load, use the --system-load option with htop or Linux System Monitor.
• To display the memory usage, use the --memory-usage option with htop or Linux System Monitor.

By following these tips and tricks, you can effectively monitor CPU usage in Linux and optimize your system’s performance.