I have had random drop to desktop since I got this game last Friday. I did notice my CPU (Core 2 Quad Q6600 at 2,4ghz) was running a constant 87 to 97% while playing Skyrim. Was getting to think that if it reached 100% would that cause the drop. Never did see what it read at time of drop though (have it on a Logitech G13 hand Keyboard)

Tonight I started playing and the game crashed straight away. I noticed that my CPU was up to 80 to 90% before Skyrim. Checked my resourse monitor and found 30 to 40% was windows media player updating library files and other 50% was Skype. Can't understand why Skype would use 50% of my 4 cores though.

Anyway, waited for Media Player to stop updating files and terminated Skype. Ran Skyrim and resourse monitor says it uses 45 to 50%. My FPS has increased from 13 to 24 at the very beginning up to 28 to 43.

Will wait and see if this stops the crash to desktop but I'm made up I get the extra FPS

That's only a fix for you personally. Good for sharing though I guess.

Generally not a problem.

P.S. CPU spikes cause crashes though, I can confirm. Monitored a few crashes, RAM didn't leak but stayed solid, but right before the expected crash the CPU spiked pretty hard and then dropped (Crash).

I'm guessing bad CPU optimization as shown through out the game, often CTDs are related to certain areas or interface menus (Fast travel, looting, etc).

ive been having the same problem but its not my cpu. im running a 5770 gpu and a black edition 3.2ghz quad core 8 gig og ddr3 ram....im still closing to desktop quite often....im getting irritated ive updated all my drivers and it still does it...im begining to think its the game but i cant tell. ive heard of alot of people having this problem and was wondering if anyone has found a fix or cause?

Could also be a bug that causes both the CPU spike and the crash?

My CTDs seem to happen everywhere, usually when just walking around.

Mine has no bias on where it crashes either. Anywhere and at any time with no warning.