2a maxing out my cpu

I just noticed this and I wonder if it is something f’d up with my cpu. This machine is a p4 1ghz 512 ram. When I go to 2a or just about any intense flash site my CPU usage in my task manager maxes out! Is this normal? Or is something screwed with this particular machine?

My alienware handles this stuff well. But my laptop (2.4 ghz 512 RAM) and other machine max out when viewing intense flash sites. I know this may seem like a total n00b issue but I just now noticed this. And I am not too good with PC issues, so any insight appreciated.