Suggestions on programs to test stability?

[fredrikgroth]

I have a E6400 @ 2800, and I'd like to make sure it's reeeeeally stable. It seems to be stable in Prime95 and Orthos, although I've only been running them for 2 hours each.

BUT, I've been noticing some strange quirks, especially when It was clocked a little bit higher (which led me to lower my OC a bit). One time the system rebooted when a friend of mine added a shared folder for us in Live Messenger. One time the GUI of Windowsblinds was corrupted when I started it. And one time I got a crash when opening CPU-Z. I'm not sure this is due to overclocking (haven't had a single problem in a couple of days now) but it seems that it might have something to do with it.

So here's the question: What programs should I run to test the overall stability of the system? Not just math calculations... I need to test other things than the CPU & RAM as well. 8)

Thanks,
Fredrik

 

[mitch074]

I'd say repeated runs of a graphics benchmark, or a cycling demo mode from a demanding game.

When it was still all the hype, I used to run Unreal's flyby introduction (with all details enabled, max sound quality and maximum definition/AF/AA) for hours to check my systems overclock overall stability.. Right now you could try Oblivion or FEAR cycling demos - but I don't have any idea on how to make them run, or if they have any (I only have FEAR, and I haven't looked).

Another way to test the RAM/chipset/HD capabilities is to start several compression jobs at the same time (say, 2 DVD to DivX encodes and 4-8 MP3 encodes) so as to push these subsystems hard, as well as tax the CPU's thread switching capabilities (pipelines and cache).

In fact, since I usually build a new system or upgrade an existing one when I decide to backup some DVDs I bought, I can say when a system is right where it should be or running a bit too high with tinkering...

 

[buzz_X]

Hi,

Don't forget that a little hotter day will make overclocking any processor more "iffy." That could explain the last couple of days, if it's been cooler near your home.

 

[fredrikgroth]

Thanks guys! I'm normally not into games, but I realize that a cycling game demo would be a good thing to try. The last game I actually played was "Half Life 2", before that "No one lives forever". It's been a few years. I anyone could point me to a game demo that can be run in a cycling mode, I would be really grateful. THANKS!

 

[sruane]

I have a E6400 @ 2800, and I'd like to make sure it's reeeeeally stable. It seems to be stable in Prime95 and Orthos, although I've only been running them for 2 hours each.

BUT, I've been noticing some strange quirks, especially when It was clocked a little bit higher (which led me to lower my OC a bit). One time the system rebooted when a friend of mine added a shared folder for us in Live Messenger. One time the GUI of Windowsblinds was corrupted when I started it. And one time I got a crash when opening CPU-Z. I'm not sure this is due to overclocking (haven't had a single problem in a couple of days now) but it seems that it might have something to do with it.

So here's the question: What programs should I run to test the overall stability of the system? Not just math calculations... I need to test other things than the CPU & RAM as well. 8)

Thanks,
Fredrik

Memtest 86+ - boot it off a CD. If it won't past Memtest, it won't pass anything else.