Testing a new computer build

[dprocket]

I've just recently built a new rig for myself as more of a hobby than anything else. I've recently had a few freinds ask me if I would build a new computer for them. I am in the process of building two new ones, so I was wondering there are any standard test suites that anyone uses when building a new computer?

Basically, I'd like to build these machines (AMD Athlon based running WinXP) and then have some benchmarks of tests to run on the computer before giving it away to have some level of comfort that nothing is going to be unstable, etc.

 

[InlineFive]

Well if you have Broadband I would update their software to be nice. Personally I would tweak it a little bit for performance (registry tweaks, nothing serious, no overclocking unless they ask you) and do some looping benchmarks for a couple of hours to be sure that everything worked.

-Por

 

[dprocket]

Yea, I plan to do that. No overclocking, because I want everything to be rock-solid stable and don't want them calling every day because of instability.

What do you reccomend for sending looping benchmarks...?

 

[jimmyl930]

A lot of people run Prime95 for 24+ hours as an indicator of system performance. If it doesn't crash, the system is very stable.

 

[Slogun]

use memtest to test the memory

 

[NokiaDude]

Screw Prime95, go for Seventeen or Bust. ;D

 

[jhites]

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
Screw Prime95, go for Seventeen or Bust. ;D

Prime95 code will run a better test than SoB when using the Torture Test. You will get better load temp and 100% cpu usage. I always run MemTest86 first and then Prime95. When building a HT system, it is also recommended to run 2 instances of Prime95.

 

[Ionizer86]

SETI's Command Line version works too. It showed my OC to be unstable, and when I added 0.05V to my processor, everything was good to go again.

 

[OverVolt]

Originally posted by: jhites

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
Screw Prime95, go for Seventeen or Bust. ;D

Prime95 code will run a better test than SoB when using the Torture Test. You will get better load temp and 100% cpu usage. I always run MemTest86 first and then Prime95. When building a HT system, it is also recommended to run 2 instances of Prime95.

Yep, i beleive Prime95 on torture test likes to fill your memory and then dump it over and over, to stress memory/NB, my NB is always really hot after running P95

 

[dyslexsick]

where do you guys get all these programs? can i just search for it on google and download it or do i have to buy it. is it on kazaa or something?

 

[jhites]

Originally posted by: dyslexsick
where do you guys get all these programs? can i just search for it on google and download it or do i have to buy it. is it on kazaa or something?

Free Programs

Prime95

MemTest86

 

[Ionizer86]

See my sig on "Join the TeAm" on how to run SETI. There's links to the command line prog and a "driver" that tosses on an interface so you know what's going on.

 

[jhites]

Originally posted by: Ionizer86
See my sig on "Join the TeAm" on how to run SETI. There's links to the command line prog and a "driver" that tosses on an interface so you know what's going on.

You shameless recruiter - You!