Prime 95 Torture Test

[ajbrun]

I've just downloaded prime95 to test the stability of my system after trying an overclock. But, when I go to "run torture test", it comes up with four options. Which one should I run?

1. Small FFT's (maximum FPU stress, data fits in L2 cache, RAM not tested much)
2. In-place large FFT's (maximum heat, power consumption, some RAM tested)
3. Blend (tests some of everything, lots of RAM tested)
4. Custom - I'd have to change the settings, but I have no idea what they mean!

Also, am I right that I should run it for 24 hours to be 100% sure it's stable?

Thanks

[yamangman]

It says on each what it stresses the most, so if you want to check the stability of a particular item you can do that, if you want to test general stability, just go with 'blend'. 24 hours is to make sure your system is completely stable, yes.

[GreenPiggy]

3 will give you the more accurate real world usage - recommended if you are looking for general stability. Only use number 1 if you are positive that the cpu will be the only thing that needs testing.

[pre]

3 is recommended because it stresses the memory subsystem fully (CPU, memory controller, large amount of the RAM used). It does do Small FFT testing as well but its spread out over the time you run the blend test rather only doing them as test 1 does.

24hr is recommended but in general if your time is limited 12hr good enough for all but the most stubborn of people.

[Agent]

Lightweights

I tend to run 2 copys of prime, one doing option 1, one doing option 2

[ajbrun]

Right, I've run number 3 a few days ago, but it fails after a few minutes. So I asked for help on this board. You said change the vcore setting. So I changed it to 1.70 (i think), but it still fails test number 3.

So just now, I've tried number one - and it worked and it's been running for a few hours now (I've got up to 28K test)! In the description, it says number 1 doesn't test memory so much, so could that be that problem, and if so, how do I fix it?

I don't know anything about memory timings or whatever though, so all help must be step by step if possible .

Thanks again.

[yamangman]

Sorry, what part of the system have you overclocked?

Basically if it fails, keep increasing the voltage of whatever you have overclocked until it is stable (within reasonable limits ). My Barton 2500+ isn't happy at 3200+ speeds unless it's at 1.85-1.90 vCore.

[iMc]

My comp fails the 3rd test at everything stock. varys how long it take to fail though, anywhere from 1 second to 25mins. Had it run for 6hours before w/o failing but could never do it again. Strange

[ajbrun]

Sorry, what part of the system have you overclocked?

Basically if it fails, keep increasing the voltage of whatever you have overclocked until it is stable (within reasonable limits ). My Barton 2500+ isn't happy at 3200+ speeds unless it's at 1.85-1.90 vCore.

I haven't actually overclocked anything. I did make a thread about this a while ago called "Normal 2600 Speed?", but now I'm using this one because the title's better.

Anyway, I wanted to try prime95 to check my sytem was stable under default settings at it's normal speed (1.91 GHz). I did this under setting 3 and it failed. So I upped the voltage to 1.60 (it was set to H/W). This changed nothing, but I am now able to run the 1st test. I can try upping the voltage again, but can it harm the system if I go too far? I think that maximum I can do is 1.80V.

[yamangman]

Well perhaps as a reference, the default speed of my Barton 2500+ is 1.84GHz, but the default vCore is 1.650 volts. Is yours a thoroughbred?

[ajbrun]

Mines a barton. What does that mean?

[ajbrun]

Also, my temperature is 59C. Is that OK?

[Agent]

Its on the warm side, but well within AMD's guidelines for opperation.
You can only eliminate another thing if you can bring the temp down though

[ajbrun]

Its on the warm side, but well within AMD's guidelines for opperation.
You can only eliminate another thing if you can bring the temp down though

What did you mean in your last sentence there? I'm sorry - I don't understand that at all. I should also point out that the temperature was taken when it was doing test 2 where it produces maximum heat and power consumption. It's now at 44C.
________________________________________________________
I've just run test 2, and that failed after 2 minutes. So, it's like this:

Test 1: Successful
Test 2: FAILED
Test 3: FAILED

Any idea on how to get 2 and 3 working?

[mad_allan]

Ok

I've not read through the thread as I am tired and eyes hurt.
Can you post your full spec and your memory timings for me.
If you have CPU-Z, a screenshot of the main screen and memory screen will be good, then we can go from there.

[ajbrun]

I can tell you haven't read through the thread (no offence).

1. My spec is my sig
2. I said earlier I don't know anything about memory timings, so I have no idea there - sorry
3. I don't have CPU-Z, but am willing to download it. I might download it, I will if you link me