- Joined
- Jul 16, 2001
- Location
- Scotland - And don't you forget it!
This is a short guide in response to the number of questions asked about Memory stress/burn-in programs.
Why do it?
The burn-in process can be used twofold. The primary reason to stress test a machine is to ensure its stability under extreme circumstances (e.g. that really important Quake3 Arena deathmatch). Sometimes, there's also a burn-in effect whereby a machine actually becomes more stable after being subjected to prolonged stress testing. Initially, the machines would be unstable when overclocked to certain speeds, needing additional cooling or voltage to achieve marginal stability. After strenuously stress testing the machines for several days (or sometimes weeks), the machine can become stable at its stock voltage without extreme cooling.
What to use?
There are several programs available, a list of which follows.....(if I have missed one, let me know, and I'll add it!)
Of course, this list is by no means all the programs available, and neither I or the owners of this site accept any responsibility if your system does indeed "burn" after using one of these programs........
Why do it?
The burn-in process can be used twofold. The primary reason to stress test a machine is to ensure its stability under extreme circumstances (e.g. that really important Quake3 Arena deathmatch). Sometimes, there's also a burn-in effect whereby a machine actually becomes more stable after being subjected to prolonged stress testing. Initially, the machines would be unstable when overclocked to certain speeds, needing additional cooling or voltage to achieve marginal stability. After strenuously stress testing the machines for several days (or sometimes weeks), the machine can become stable at its stock voltage without extreme cooling.
What to use?
There are several programs available, a list of which follows.....(if I have missed one, let me know, and I'll add it!)
- Memtest86 A memory test tool, with burn-in feature
- Prime95 is a quest to find large (and I mean 10 million digit+) Prime numbers. This program is heavily memory intensive, and considered one of the more stressful burn-in programs
- CPUburn will heavily stress your whole system, giving a good indicator of stability
- SiSoft Sandra (the System ANalyser, Diagnostic and Reporting Assistant) is an information & diagnostic utility. It should provide most of the information (including undocumented) you need to know about your hardware, software and other devices whether hardware or software. There are 58 modules in the standard(free) version, one of which is a Memory Bandwidth benchmark, and a Burn-In Wizard
Of course, this list is by no means all the programs available, and neither I or the owners of this site accept any responsibility if your system does indeed "burn" after using one of these programs........
