Performance Tests - Which ones do I run?

[leepark]

Once the computer is up and running, which tests should you run to gauge performance level? The main ones (after reading through posts) are Prime and Memtest but which particular tests within these programs do you run and what are you testing for and hoping to see? Please provide step by step instructions as I have never done this before.

 

[MrControversial]

There's really nothing to it, you can figure it out. We run these tests to make sure that everything is in good shape. Do you want to see if your processor has any problems? Run Prime95 or the @home programs to run it through it's paces. Just because your computer boots up to Windows and lets you surf the net, that doesn't mean that it's in good shape. There could be a small problem that causes the processor, memory or videcard to error out. What these programs do is stress the components to the point where any problem they may have will be pointed out.

For example, I was working on a server that was just built for us and it kept restarting under certain circumstances. We fought like hell to figure out what was wrong. One day, I downloaded Folding@home and ran that and within 30 seconds the server restarted. I took it back to the factory because I knew it had a faulty CPU.

You can use certain programs like Folding and Seti@home to stress test the CPU and Memtest for the memory. Programs like 3DMark will test your videocard.

 

[leepark]

Prime95 and @Home = CPU
Memtest = Memory
3DMark = Videocard

Is 3DMark free? If so, where can I download it?
I visited the Folding @Home site but it like it's a science project-type program. How does it test CPU?
How do you read the numbers that yield from these programs? What are some benchmark figures?

 

[Cheesetogo]

Here's the download page. Just go to any of those sites listed to download it. http://www.futuremark.com/download/?3dmark05.shtml

 

[AnarchyAT]

Actually I believe the latest version of 3DMark includes a CPU test. Most convenient...

 

[MrControversial]

You can also try PCMark, it's a more generalized and balanced benchmark.

 

[dhoytw]

PcMark and Prime95 are great for testing to see if your overclocking is stable, I like to use SiSandra free version for hardware comparisons.

 

[aatf510]

Originally posted by: leepark
Prime95 and @Home = CPU
Memtest = Memory
3DMark = Videocard

Is 3DMark free? If so, where can I download it?
I visited the Folding @Home site but it like it's a science project-type program. How does it test CPU?
How do you read the numbers that yield from these programs? What are some benchmark figures?

None of the above (except 3dmark) is intended to be a benchmarking program. They are used to test the stability of your computer.
Use Sisoft Sandra, PCmark etc. to test for performance figures.

 

[AnarchyAT]

Sandra is synthetic. Use PCMark.