"Breaking in" a new computer

[arynn]

I just finished building a new computer and was wondering what I should use to "break it in" to make sure all of the components are functioning as they should. The system specs are:

Duron 1.2 GHz
MSI K7N420 Pro
PCI Modem
Acer CD ROM (will be a Lite ON CDRW 24 x 10 x 40 once Newegg gets them back in stock)
Maxtor 40 GB 7200 RPM hard drive
floppy

Thanks.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

actually its commonly referred to "burning in". i like prime95, i run it for a good few hours (although real burn ins are usually like 24 hours, actually, i dont burn in, but i do stress test my system every once in a while)

 

[Ionizer86]

Perhaps you can get Sisoft SANDRA from www.download.com The newest one is 2001TE I think. Then you can do a burn-in test, and bench your components like around 100 times. Leave your comp overnight while they undergo a burn. This is to test system stability. BTW, places like Alienware and OxfordPC do a 72 hour burn.

 

[John]

Run RC5 for Team AnandTech to break in that cpu. You can leave it running 24/7 🙂

 

[LuNoTiCK]

Go get RC5, I wouldnt test with Sandra. I would use something like 3dmark instead even. Prime95 can test for the CPU though.

 

[flood]

my favorite method is to break it in with my foot, but some people perfer water 😉

 

[saltedeggman]

<< Go get RC5, I wouldnt test with Sandra. I would use something like 3dmark instead even. Prime95 can test for the CPU though. >>



ditto...sisoft sandra DOES NOT put enough stress on the components oppose to prim95, 3dmark2001...i like 3dmark because it test CPU, RAM, and Video card

 

[HouRman]

Breaking in is for engines. Is breaking in a computer not as important because I havn't done it the past 2 computers and no problems.

I know how important it is to break in an RC car engine. Run it slightly rich and let it idle a few tanks, then drive it very slowly a few tanks. Then start to lean it out...

Fun fun fun

 

[Amused]

Besides testing for stability, can anyone explain what proven benefits a "burn in" has?

 

[cleverhandle]

<< Perhaps you can get Sisoft SANDRA from www.download.com The newest one is 2001TE I think. Then you can do a burn-in test, and bench your components like around 100 times. Leave your comp overnight while they undergo a burn. This is to test system stability. BTW, places like Alienware and OxfordPC do a 72 hour burn. >>



The newest Sandra version is 2002. It was a little tough to find when I got it a couple weeks ago - may be easier now. The homepage is here. As other posters remarked, Sandra is not really designed as a burn-in, though it does have it as an option. It is rather good at detecting problems, though its drive bench is much disputed.

Personally, I feel a little nervous taking a brand-new system and letting it run 24/7 3DMark or whatever. Probably just paranoia, but I'll just surf the web, install software, and play games for a day before I start the hardcore stuff.

In addition to the programs mentioned above, I've used Toast to work out the CPU - people have told me it's pretty tough. Also a hard one to find. Overall, just try everything you can find. Most of the benches are interesting in themselves, at least the first time through.