How do you test a new system?

[Jakebrake]

I just put together a rig with the parts listed below. I am currently updating all the drivers and firmware and trying to get the bios to recognize the correct ram CAS settings(the modules are in slots 3&4 to allow for more room for the XP-120).

My question is this: What is the best way to stress test and break-in a new system? I have Prime95 running and will check the results when I get home. I want to overclock the processor a bit also.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


Now playing:

MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
A64 3000+
OCZ Gold Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR 400 2-2-2-5
ATI x700
NEC 3540 DVD Burner
Pioneer DVR-109 DVD Burner
160GB Seagate Barracuda
Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS
Logitech Cordless Desktop MX3100
Samsung 955DF 19? CRT

Coming Soon:

Thermalright XP-120, for OCing
160GB SATA ? Seagate, Raid 1

 

[imported_Kensai]

Memtest86+
Prime 2004
3DMark05
3DMark01

 

[Operandi]

Prime95 & UT2k4 CTF botmatch (99 scores per match)

 

[Jakebrake]

Thanks, I will try those programs. Also do these programs recommend setting changes or do they only benchmark?

 

[imported_Kensai]

They test benchmark and/or test stability.

 

[wpshooter]

Originally posted by: Jakebrake
I just put together a rig with the parts listed below. I am currently updating all the drivers and firmware and trying to get the bios to recognize the correct ram CAS settings(the modules are in slots 3&4 to allow for more room for the XP-120).

My question is this: What is the best way to stress test and break-in a new system? I have Prime95 running and will check the results when I get home. I want to overclock the processor a bit also.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


Now playing:

MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
A64 3000+
OCZ Gold Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR 400 2-2-2-5
ATI x700
NEC 3540 DVD Burner
Pioneer DVR-109 DVD Burner
160GB Seagate Barracuda
Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS
Logitech Cordless Desktop MX3100
Samsung 955DF 19? CRT

Coming Soon:

Thermalright XP-120, for OCing
160GB SATA ? Seagate, Raid 1

Jakebrake:

A couple bits of advice. If you have firmware that needs updating, do that FIRST, then you may even want to go back and reinstall your operating system again and THEN apply all of the most up-to-date drivers.

Also, as I have said before on these forums, do NOT O/C. Why would you go out and buy a nice fancy fast sports car that was designed to go 175mph and then try to change/modify it to go 200mph ??? You already have a rip-roaring fast collection of hardware there, why take a chance on spoiling the mix.

You can use all of those fancy testing tools for fun but if there is something work with either your hardware or software setups, the software applications (including the O/S) that you will be using regularly everyday, will soon let you know if there are any problems.

Good luck, nice unit - if you have any parts left over you can ship them to me.

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: wpshooter

Originally posted by: Jakebrake
I just put together a rig with the parts listed below. I am currently updating all the drivers and firmware and trying to get the bios to recognize the correct ram CAS settings(the modules are in slots 3&4 to allow for more room for the XP-120).

My question is this: What is the best way to stress test and break-in a new system? I have Prime95 running and will check the results when I get home. I want to overclock the processor a bit also.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


Now playing:

MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
A64 3000+
OCZ Gold Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR 400 2-2-2-5
ATI x700
NEC 3540 DVD Burner
Pioneer DVR-109 DVD Burner
160GB Seagate Barracuda
Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS
Logitech Cordless Desktop MX3100
Samsung 955DF 19? CRT

Coming Soon:

Thermalright XP-120, for OCing
160GB SATA ? Seagate, Raid 1

Jakebrake:

A couple bits of advice. If you have firmware that needs updating, do that FIRST, then you may even want to go back and reinstall your operating system again and THEN apply all of the most up-to-date drivers.

Also, as I have said before on these forums, do NOT O/C. Why would you go out and buy a nice fancy fast sports car that was designed to go 175mph and then try to change/modify it to go 200mph ??? You already have a rip-roaring fast collection of hardware there, why take a chance on spoiling the mix.

You can use all of those fancy testing tools for fun but if there is something work with either your hardware or software setups, the software applications (including the O/S) that you will be using regularly everyday, will soon let you know if there are any problems.

Good luck, nice unit - if you have any parts left over you can ship them to me.

Don't encourage him to be scared of his rig. I am relatively new to all this and have had a great time OC'ing and learning hands-on. Why build your own and customize the parts and then not optimize it? As for your car analogy, most of these CPU's were designed to go much faster but failed some kind of benchmark to achieve the rating. They want to go that fast!

 

[esun]

Originally posted by: wpshooter

Originally posted by: Jakebrake
I just put together a rig with the parts listed below. I am currently updating all the drivers and firmware and trying to get the bios to recognize the correct ram CAS settings(the modules are in slots 3&4 to allow for more room for the XP-120).

My question is this: What is the best way to stress test and break-in a new system? I have Prime95 running and will check the results when I get home. I want to overclock the processor a bit also.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


Now playing:

MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
A64 3000+
OCZ Gold Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR 400 2-2-2-5
ATI x700
NEC 3540 DVD Burner
Pioneer DVR-109 DVD Burner
160GB Seagate Barracuda
Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS
Logitech Cordless Desktop MX3100
Samsung 955DF 19? CRT

Coming Soon:

Thermalright XP-120, for OCing
160GB SATA ? Seagate, Raid 1

Jakebrake:

A couple bits of advice. If you have firmware that needs updating, do that FIRST, then you may even want to go back and reinstall your operating system again and THEN apply all of the most up-to-date drivers.

Also, as I have said before on these forums, do NOT O/C. Why would you go out and buy a nice fancy fast sports car that was designed to go 175mph and then try to change/modify it to go 200mph ??? You already have a rip-roaring fast collection of hardware there, why take a chance on spoiling the mix.

You can use all of those fancy testing tools for fun but if there is something work with either your hardware or software setups, the software applications (including the O/S) that you will be using regularly everyday, will soon let you know if there are any problems.

Good luck, nice unit - if you have any parts left over you can ship them to me.

Don't listen to this nonsense. If you don't want to OC, then fine, don't. However, if you want to OC, if you feel like you could use more performance out of your parts, then definitely go for it. Regarding your original question, I use Prime95 to make sure my overclocks are stable (CPU-wise).

 

[wpshooter]

Originally posted by: esun

Originally posted by: wpshooter

Originally posted by: Jakebrake
I just put together a rig with the parts listed below. I am currently updating all the drivers and firmware and trying to get the bios to recognize the correct ram CAS settings(the modules are in slots 3&4 to allow for more room for the XP-120).

My question is this: What is the best way to stress test and break-in a new system? I have Prime95 running and will check the results when I get home. I want to overclock the processor a bit also.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


Now playing:

MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
A64 3000+
OCZ Gold Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR 400 2-2-2-5
ATI x700
NEC 3540 DVD Burner
Pioneer DVR-109 DVD Burner
160GB Seagate Barracuda
Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS
Logitech Cordless Desktop MX3100
Samsung 955DF 19? CRT

Coming Soon:

Thermalright XP-120, for OCing
160GB SATA ? Seagate, Raid 1

Jakebrake:

A couple bits of advice. If you have firmware that needs updating, do that FIRST, then you may even want to go back and reinstall your operating system again and THEN apply all of the most up-to-date drivers.

Also, as I have said before on these forums, do NOT O/C. Why would you go out and buy a nice fancy fast sports car that was designed to go 175mph and then try to change/modify it to go 200mph ??? You already have a rip-roaring fast collection of hardware there, why take a chance on spoiling the mix.

You can use all of those fancy testing tools for fun but if there is something work with either your hardware or software setups, the software applications (including the O/S) that you will be using regularly everyday, will soon let you know if there are any problems.

Good luck, nice unit - if you have any parts left over you can ship them to me.

Don't listen to this nonsense. If you don't want to OC, then fine, don't. However, if you want to OC, if you feel like you could use more performance out of your parts, then definitely go for it. Regarding your original question, I use Prime95 to make sure my overclocks are stable (CPU-wise).

If you want to O/C, then do some research regarding the possible problems that can arise from it. Don't appreciate the use of term nonsense in reply. I have right to express my opinions arising from my experience, as you do yours.

 

[feelingshorter]

OCing your CPU does not kill, but if you increase voltage then it will..so being the fact that your on a 3000 AMD, your best bet for reliability and durability is to overclock it as high as you can at stock voltage.

 

[nick1985]

Prime 95
Memtest86
rthdribl
3dMark 05
Heavy gaming

 

[Jakebrake]

Thanks for the replies.