Why does chrome use excessive amounts of CPU?

Synopsis

For the past few weeks, i've really started to notice a process on my machine hitting the CPU. So today I have taken a look into it, to find that Chrome is running about 100% CPU.

  • Is there any known bugs that may explain this? Or
  • Is there a method for me to resolve this?

I do not have any extensions installed, it's a recent clean install with no extensions.

20002 ash       20   0  480848 103708  60156 S 108.9  0.9   0:03.28 chrome

Chrome Version:

Version 40.0.2214.95 (64-bit)

Ubuntu/Gnome Versions:

ash ~ $ lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 14.04.2 LTS
Release:    14.04
Codename:   trusty

ash ~ $ gnome-shell --version
GNOME Shell 3.10.4

Solution 1:

Use Chrome's built-in task manager to see what part of Chrome (page, plugin, etc) is using CPU.

enter image description here

To access it, just press Shift+Escape (or right click the window decoration and select Task Manager)

Solution 2:

Switching to integrated GPU solves the high CPU issue for me.

I have the following system:

Graphics:  Card-1: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] Trinity [Radeon HD 7600G]
           Card-2: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] Mars [Radeon HD 8730M]
           Display Server: X.Org 1.17.1 driver: fglrx
           Resolution: [email protected], [email protected]
           GLX Renderer: AMD Radeon HD 7600G
           GLX Version: 4.4.13374 - CPC 15.20.1013

I've switched to the Integrated GPU (instead of High Performance discrete) in Catalyst Control Center (Administrative). After reboot the high CPU in Chrome is completely gone.