It is the gpu.

When I have the optons menu open gpu usage is 10-12 %. and temp is 32-35

When I go into the regular screen it is at 70% usage even when doing nothing. for a few minutes.

I have the graphics to low but when I double check it says custom even though things are turned off and low texture is checked.

I think I will try the nvidea control pannel 3D setting to use my integrated Intell for everything and see what it does. That and auto select do the same thing.

I just started a new game and the gpu did much but not as bad. I wonder if that is just to the fact there are less objects for the gpu to calculate for.

To me it feels like the gpu is constantly working. Even when I am not playing.

Another goodie is the nvida control panel does not list GCIV in its 3D settings but does list GCIII. I wonder if more control of the gpu by the game is needed.

Yes; being on a laptop thermals is a big deal to me.

Tried it on my old laptop from 2012 and it did the same thing.

The good thing was my gpu was a Radeon HD 7970m so it actually did not make as much heat and my 3610 cpu did not max out.

My GeForce GTX 970M is being driven at 100 GPU on the galaxy window unless I scroll all the way out. when it drops to 79%. On the Options window it's at 17%, looking at a civ to choose it's 21%, Galaxy Settings is 21% also. As soon as I start the game the GPU jumps to 100%.