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How do I stress test a new PC?
posted in Hardware
1
#1
0 Frags +

I have actually never properly stress tested any of the computers I've built, which might explain all the problems I encounter until I end up building a new rig. I've googled this question, but I've been seeing a lot of conflicting opinions when running software to test parts, like I've seen the most popular options for testing the CPU has people saying that you can't use that software on i7 ivy/sandy bridge chipsets because of the technology behind them?

I honestly don't keep track of advances in hardware, so I want to be sure all of my parts actually are working before I end up finding I can't play any games along the road (my current GPU randomly crashes during any modern game - Bioshock Infinite/Guild Wars 2/Diablo 3/Starcraft 2/etc).

I don't really know the proper software off the top of my head to test gpu/cpu/ram, but I'm sure they aren't hard to find. I've seen conflicting reports on letting things run overnight or just constantly monitoring things for an hour. I usually keep my desktop running 24/7 unless I'm on vacation, but I have a feeling that might be a really dumb idea even if I just do it in-case I get an instant message or something important.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/JonTalbain/saved/2mcX

My parts are all coming in now, so I figured I'd ask this so I can properly test everything.

I have actually never properly stress tested any of the computers I've built, which might explain all the problems I encounter until I end up building a new rig. I've googled this question, but I've been seeing a lot of conflicting opinions when running software to test parts, like I've seen the most popular options for testing the CPU has people saying that you can't use that software on i7 ivy/sandy bridge chipsets because of the technology behind them?

I honestly don't keep track of advances in hardware, so I want to be sure all of my parts actually are working before I end up finding I can't play any games along the road (my current GPU randomly crashes during any modern game - Bioshock Infinite/Guild Wars 2/Diablo 3/Starcraft 2/etc).

I don't really know the proper software off the top of my head to test gpu/cpu/ram, but I'm sure they aren't hard to find. I've seen conflicting reports on letting things run overnight or just constantly monitoring things for an hour. I usually keep my desktop running 24/7 unless I'm on vacation, but I have a feeling that might be a really dumb idea even if I just do it in-case I get an instant message or something important.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/JonTalbain/saved/2mcX

My parts are all coming in now, so I figured I'd ask this so I can properly test everything.
2
#2
0 Frags +

there's prime95 for cpus and furmark for gpus, no idea about memory testing

there's prime95 for cpus and furmark for gpus, no idea about memory testing
3
#3
3 Frags +

.Intel burn Test / Lynx
.Prime 95 ? blend mode
.Memtest86 only for ram
.futumark for gpu

.Intel burn Test / Lynx
.Prime 95 ? blend mode
.Memtest86 only for ram
.futumark for gpu
4
#4
0 Frags +

does intel burn test work only for intel cpus

does intel burn test work only for intel cpus
5
#5
0 Frags +
Foxdoes intel burn test work only for intel cpus

Dunno but some version of Lynx (same library of IBT linkpack) can run on amd cpu.

[quote=Fox]does intel burn test work only for intel cpus[/quote]
Dunno but some version of Lynx (same library of IBT linkpack) can run on amd cpu.
6
#6
0 Frags +

You mean LinX, right? The stress testing it does is absolutely absurd, as it is no where near real world at all. If you want to verify there's no way your PC would poop itself after an overclock, it's not a bad way to check.

You mean LinX, right? The stress testing it does is absolutely absurd, as it is no where near real world at all. If you want to verify there's no way your PC would poop itself after an overclock, it's not a bad way to check.
7
#7
0 Frags +
Lucfer.Intel burn Test / Lynx
.Prime 95 ? blend mode
.Memtest86 only for ram
.futumark for gpu

Add OCCT to that list also.

[quote=Lucfer].Intel burn Test / Lynx
.Prime 95 ? blend mode
.Memtest86 only for ram
.futumark for gpu[/quote]

Add OCCT to that list also.
8
#8
0 Frags +

These programs are fine for what you want to do. These are usually used for testing stability during overlocking. Keep an eye on your temps as Prime 95 etc can burn up your pc if you have a fan failure or bad airflow in your case.

These programs are fine for what you want to do. These are usually used for testing stability during overlocking. Keep an eye on your temps as Prime 95 etc can burn up your pc if you have a fan failure or bad airflow in your case.
9
#9
2 Frags +

A lot of times benchmarking software isn't comprehensive enough to really find all the problems. I used to benchmark with prime/linx/occt, but now my approach is to play a variety of games with uncapped FPS, which is more of a real-world scenario.

Even playing old games like half-life have found potential instabilities faster than running prime for 24 hours in my experience. My method's also way more fun.

A lot of times benchmarking software isn't comprehensive enough to really find all the problems. I used to benchmark with prime/linx/occt, but now my approach is to play a variety of games with uncapped FPS, which is more of a real-world scenario.

Even playing old games like half-life have found potential instabilities faster than running prime for 24 hours in my experience. My method's also way more fun.
10
#10
0 Frags +
mebA lot of times benchmarking software isn't comprehensive enough to really find all the problems. I used to benchmark with prime/linx/occt, but now my approach is to play a variety of games with uncapped FPS, which is more of a real-world scenario.

Even playing old games like half-life have found potential instabilities faster than running prime for 24 hours in my experience. My method's also way more fun.

that was my old method, but nothing triggered my gpu to start failing until d3, which i thought was a standalone case because my gpu didn't fail on any other games until i started playing gw2 and realized something was up

[quote=meb]A lot of times benchmarking software isn't comprehensive enough to really find all the problems. I used to benchmark with prime/linx/occt, but now my approach is to play a variety of games with uncapped FPS, which is more of a real-world scenario.

Even playing old games like half-life have found potential instabilities faster than running prime for 24 hours in my experience. My method's also way more fun.[/quote]
that was my old method, but nothing triggered my gpu to start failing until d3, which i thought was a standalone case because my gpu didn't fail on any other games until i started playing gw2 and realized something was up
11
#11
0 Frags +

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBEeXajbG2o

Just give that whole thing a watch. That will tell you about stress testing whilst working on an overclock, but some go an extra mile and do 24 hour stress tests to really make sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBEeXajbG2o

Just give that whole thing a watch. That will tell you about stress testing whilst working on an overclock, but some go an extra mile and do 24 hour stress tests to really make sure.
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