System fails Stress Test.

PangingJr · Sep 19, 2008, 10:45 AM

you are using a C2D/C2Q that is running stock, you can also leave all BIOS settings at Auto's,
and you never had a BSOD, not a single crash.
but the system however won't pass Prime95 or SuperPi 32MB, or may include other system stress test software, this is usually when all CPU cores are fully loaded.

has anyone has this before, and you think that it's important to you that the computer you use does not fail prime?
if so, then could you tell me your experience? and also tell me your work around solutions.

or one may think that this is what a bunch of crap!?
all i know is, i know how to build my computer, i trust my computer, and i don't trust prime95, i don't trust superPi 32MB. i don't know why the test is failed, but i sure know there are bug in these software, there are bug in Windows.
then, write to tell me about what you think about this anyways,
and also tell me what tools do you like to use the most for stress testing your Windows computer system?

Zelig · Sep 19, 2008, 11:00 AM

In every situation where I've had this, I've always been able to fix it by either fiddling with memory settings, or simply swapping the memory out.

I love prime95 as a stability test, I make sure it runs for 24h on all my machines.

Zardon · Sep 19, 2008, 11:28 AM

if it fails prime and works fine with everything else you use "real world", who gives a toss, lets be honest? I rarely use it. I use cinebench 10 as a stress test. never rated prime much.

cozumel · Sep 19, 2008, 11:58 AM

I've always had problems with supr PI randomly crashing on my systems when everything else works fine so I choose to ignore the crash and put it down to software error. Prime has always been ok for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

if it fails prime and works fine with everything else you use "real world", who gives a toss, lets be honest? I rarely use it. I use cinebench 10 as a stress test. never rated prime much.

Yup, if the system works great except with prime then does it really matter...

I thought cinebench was only for benchmarking. Didn't realise you could put it on a stress-test loop. Might try it out.

[hobo]eclipse · Sep 19, 2008, 01:41 PM

well for reference my sysytem as listed in specs passes dual instance of newest p95 x86 smalll FFT (448) for 12 hrs, super pi xs mod 32 million has crashed everytime, dont know if if NB/FSB need more volts or if its a vista x64 superpi xs mod thing. everything is stable for me, ran cinebench a few times and plows through games, some of the newer futuremark tests and massive amounts of RARing.

Zardon · Sep 19, 2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozumel

I thought cinebench was only for benchmarking. Didn't realise you could put it on a stress-test loop. Might try it out.

Well it loads all cpus 100% with FPU algorithms (which are used in rendering calculations), always finds problems with overclocks for me, and I think its more useful.

In direct relation to the thread starter though, I understand the need for an app to test stability. I certainly dont think it always needs to be prime however. If everything else works and prime doesn't I dont see the problem. Unless you sit and watch prime for enjoyment during the day instead of HD movies?

Judas · Sep 19, 2008, 03:35 PM

i use a variety of real world applications to "test" the machine including some games that i know have a habit of showing problems right away if the system isn't stable at all... Specially if you run multiple instances of a single game or multiple games. Plan is, to trash the damn thing.

remember when people used to select everything on the desktop and hit enter causing everything that was selected to startup? That's a pretty good test

Either way, both those tests i don't use at all, never have really.

BTW the P5Q-SE i've been running here for awhile has been working without a hitch glitch error or anything...

Just Learnin' · Sep 19, 2008, 03:39 PM

OCCT: Download - OCCT Website english

Intel Burn Test: -=]Ultimate-Filez.com[=- {Revolution}

Quote:

IntelBurnTest - Tool that helps Intel(R) Core 2(tm)-based (or others) test for system stability in a relatively short time (greatly shorter than Prime95). The program utilizes Intel(R)'s very own CPU stress testing binaries for the most stressful, and speedy testing. This software will put even the highest end Intel(R) Core 2(tm) Extreme rigs to their knees, and shows how REALLY stable the system is. It is highly recommended to use a 64-bit Windows operating system (XP x64 preferred) for the most accurate testing and using maximum amount of free system memory. It will work on even Intel(R) Pentium III processors, but unfortunately, Intel(R) designed the binaries in a way that makes it not run at all on any AMD CPUs.
Caution: Not for beginning overclockers. This program WILL stress the CPU, Memory, North Bridge, and other system components to their highest extent! Make sure your PC is properly cooled and ventilated!
Author: AgentGOD

GFX card heat testing, rthdribl: http://www.daionet.gr.jp/~masa/rthdribl/

PangingJr · Sep 19, 2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

i use a variety of real world applications to "test" the machine including some games that i know have a habit of showing problems right away if the system isn't stable at all... Specially if you run multiple instances of a single game or multiple games. Plan is, to trash the damn thing.

that's how you always test your customer's computers? so tell me and should you always test the system for how long, how many game are opened, and what games you choose to play for the test before you declare that the particular system is stable?

Zardon · Sep 19, 2008, 04:03 PM

i think there are various ways to test a system, I wouldnt call its stable unless i tested in with a variety of apps for a few days tbh. running cinebench in a loop 20 times is a decent CPU stability test though.

Ive seen a guy who swore by prime then went into crysis at 1920 and it crashed in 10 minutes. various things to test for total stability really.....

cozumel · Sep 19, 2008, 04:35 PM

Problem is that many of us are just too impatient and want to be able to use the rig asap. A few days testing would just slow things down too much for me. Much prefer to test for a couple of days and then start using normally. If any problems show up at that time then I can always go back and troubleshoot using a variety of programs.

And panging, I use a variety prime, occt, orthos, memtest, atitool, furmark, rthdribl for testing.

Zardon · Sep 19, 2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozumel

Problem is that many of us are just too impatient and want to be able to use the rig asap. A few days testing would just slow things down too much for me. Much prefer to test for a couple of days and then start using normally. If any problems show up at that time then I can always go back and troubleshoot using a variety of programs.

And panging, I use a variety prime, occt, orthos, memtest, atitool, furmark, rthdribl for testing.

Of course, but im saying people seem to think that running a few purely synthetic apps to load the processor cores is a fool proof indication of 100% stability. It isn't.

The only way you will ever know that a system is totally stable with an overclock is to use it solidly for a few days. I mean in theory you are using 7 apps there, how long would you use each of them? 2 hours each? how long do you warrant a run on each to gain stability results? What happens if you run all those apps for a few hours each, say "great its working perfect now", then go into something like crysis and it crashes (or something you actually do which is intensive)? you get the point im making?

All those synth apps are useful tools but people seem to think they are all that matter.

Judas · Sep 19, 2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PangingJr

that's how you always test your customer's computers? so tell me and should you always test the system for how long, how many game are opened, and what games you choose to play for the test before you declare that the particular system is stable?

depending on what the machine was build for...... kinda depends...

But even if it's not made for gaming, i usually do the following in about this order:

Build machine
Pop Memtest in and run it for over 24 hours
Update bios to latest version
Install windows Vista x64 (usually home premium)
Install latest drivers and common software/codecs/updates/apps.

Then i start loading up various games and apps such as 3dmark06 and pcmark for a rough estimate of how it's performing in comparison. UT3 and LineageII (l2 is a resource system hog that is completely unoptimised and has a tendency to crash for no apparent reason, more so if there is anything wrong at all with the system) Few other games here and there, Run it through PCpitstops full system check, load up AVG. And then i go crazy, Loading up both UT3 setting a unlimited deathmatch lvl maxed out quality and maxed out bots in one of the largest maps possible, while leaving that window running (not minimized) i'll have a number of IE7 tabs running various flash related webpages typical of use. Followed by loading up say a few windows provided games, another UT3 instance at title screen, and maybe another game like counter strike source or half life 2 lost coast or something else demanding. Super Commander does a good job to. Photoshop CS3 with driverheavens benchmark and using the HD-DVD xbox360 drive or a ripped image with power dvd 7.3, play it all back and see how things work. (course some of the machines built with the E2200 tends to have troubles managing with just the 1080p HD-DVD playback lol.... )

Leave the machine chewing away for a few hours and if nothing crashes or locks up the system, i'm usually pretty happy.

I use the machine exclusively like it was my own for about 1 or 2 weeks flatout if i can. Take it home, hook it all up and really use it.

If it passes that test, it gets wiped, reinstalled and ready for the buyer or for the display table.

Sep 19, 2008, 10:45 AM	#1
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	System fails Stress Test. you are using a C2D/C2Q that is running stock, you can also leave all BIOS settings at Auto's, and you never had a BSOD, not a single crash. but the system however won't pass Prime95 or SuperPi 32MB, or may include other system stress test software, this is usually when all CPU cores are fully loaded. has anyone has this before, and you think that it's important to you that the computer you use does not fail prime? if so, then could you tell me your experience? and also tell me your work around solutions. or one may think that this is what a bunch of crap!? all i know is, i know how to build my computer, i trust my computer, and i don't trust prime95, i don't trust superPi 32MB. i don't know why the test is failed, but i sure know there are bug in these software, there are bug in Windows. then, write to tell me about what you think about this anyways, and also tell me what tools do you like to use the most for stress testing your Windows computer system? Last edited by PangingJr; Sep 19, 2008 at 12:11 PM.

Sep 19, 2008, 11:00 AM	#2
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	In every situation where I've had this, I've always been able to fix it by either fiddling with memory settings, or simply swapping the memory out. I love prime95 as a stability test, I make sure it runs for 24h on all my machines. __________________ --

Sep 19, 2008, 01:41 PM	#5
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,907 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	well for reference my sysytem as listed in specs passes dual instance of newest p95 x86 smalll FFT (448) for 12 hrs, super pi xs mod 32 million has crashed everytime, dont know if if NB/FSB need more volts or if its a vista x64 superpi xs mod thing. everything is stable for me, ran cinebench a few times and plows through games, some of the newer futuremark tests and massive amounts of RARing. Last edited by [hobo]eclipse; Sep 19, 2008 at 03:10 PM. Reason: spelling

Sep 19, 2008, 04:35 PM	#11
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,577 Rep Power: 60 System Specs	Problem is that many of us are just too impatient and want to be able to use the rig asap. A few days testing would just slow things down too much for me. Much prefer to test for a couple of days and then start using normally. If any problems show up at that time then I can always go back and troubleshoot using a variety of programs. And panging, I use a variety prime, occt, orthos, memtest, atitool, furmark, rthdribl for testing. __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks

Sep 19, 2008, 11:28 AM	#3
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	if it fails prime and works fine with everything else you use "real world", who gives a toss, lets be honest? I rarely use it. I use cinebench 10 as a stress test. never rated prime much.

Sep 19, 2008, 04:03 PM	#10
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	i think there are various ways to test a system, I wouldnt call its stable unless i tested in with a variety of apps for a few days tbh. running cinebench in a loop 20 times is a decent CPU stability test though. Ive seen a guy who swore by prime then went into crysis at 1920 and it crashed in 10 minutes. various things to test for total stability really.....