CPU Stress testing......can I do damage to the processor?

[iamme]

I just put together a dual CPU PC.

It's a Tyan Tiger MP mobo w/ 2 x Athlon MP 2000+'s. Tyan's site says that the max CPU is 1900. I want to test and see if it's stable using Prime95 or an app similar. My question is, can I do damage to the CPU running a stress test like that?

 

[sak]

I think u cannot really damage ur cpu too much if u are cautious...but if u going for really crazy speeds then watch out...

its like body building...

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: sak
I think u cannot really damage ur cpu too much if u are cautious...but if u going for really crazy speeds then watch out...

its like body building...

well, I'm not overclocking, or anything like that. The motherboard officially says it supports up to a Athlon MP 1900. I called their tech support and he just said it would be "unstable". I'm just worried that I might fry the CPU if I run some CPU tests that push the processors to their max.

 

[CTho9305]

you should be fine.

 

[Zugzwang152]

there is no way you can "damage" cpus by running them at 100%. Look at all the people who do DC. They run 100% 24/7. The only way your cpus will flake our is if the mobo doesnt support them, or you physically damage them. They were built to run at those speeds, and are really just slacking off if not running 100%

 

[GrumpyMan]

Won't hurt it, don't worry.

 

[lenjack]

You won't hurt anything....if you push too far, you will either:

1-overheat and shutown
2- lockup
3_boot successfully and get errors and lockups.

The processor will be fine.

 

[ceZium]

Yeah you will be fine, you cannot damage the processor by doing this.

 

[nowayout99]

Is that not the purpose os STRESS TESTING in the first place? Making sure they're burned in and functional?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: lenjack
You won't hurt anything....if you push too far, you will either:

1-overheat and shutown
2- lockup
3_boot successfully and get errors and lockups.

The processor will be fine.

Generally true, although he mentioned a dual setup, and running both CPUs at max clock speeds, full load, could put a strain on the VRMs. If they aren't up to the task (although they should be, if the board is rated for duals at those speeds), then they could burn out, and then cause havoc and damage all over the board.

Had that happen once on a Socket7 board upgraded to a K6/K6-2 (don't recall), that wasn't designed to take those newer chips, and burned out the VRMs. OTOH, that was the exception, not the rule, as I have upgraded many other Socket7 boards with K6-level CPUs, and had no problems, although they ran a little hot. (Boards that could only go as low as 2.5 or 2.8v, running CPUs rated at 2.2 or 2.4v.)