Mobo stress test?

JLuchinski

JLuchinski

Well-Known Member
Is there a good way to test the stability if a mobo? My system keeps locking up at random, I put a brand new hard drive and re-installed windows to rule out my HD, I even put new SATA cables in as well. So at this point I'm guessing it's either my motherboard or my GPU, but it freezes when non GPU things are happening, but stuttering and freezing didn't start happening until I bought the GPU in my sig. Any ideas anyone? Thanks.
 
I like Prime95 for torture testing. If there's a problem with the CPU or RAM or hard drive interface, the program will fail. If your cooling is under par, you'll definitely overheat.
 
OK thanks. I'm hoping it's the motherboard because I want to get a new one, this one's only 2 months old though.
 
The only acceptable new motherboard is the one I have :P

Anyway, a few things to try:

50 runs of IntelBurnTest on maximum stress - any errors at all, check your CPU overclock and RAM
Overnight memtest86+ (burn it to CD and boot it) - any errors at all is faulty or incorrectly configured memory.
MSI Kombuster - any artefacts or crashes means faulty GPU or bad drivers

If you have GTA IV, won't be a bad idea to leave that running for hours on end, it will fully stress your CPU, RAM & GPU, so it's a good power draw test.
 
I ran Memtest last night without errors. I tried running IntelButnTest about 30 times and it froze about 1 minute into it every time.
 
I just ran MSI Kombuster 10 times as well without issue, so I guess it's safe to say it's not my GPU (wiping sweat off of my forehead).
 
linkin said:
The only acceptable new motherboard is the one I have :P

Anyway, a few things to try:

50 runs of IntelBurnTest on maximum stress - any errors at all, check your CPU overclock and RAM
Overnight memtest86+ (burn it to CD and boot it) - any errors at all is faulty or incorrectly configured memory.
MSI Kombuster - any artefacts or crashes means faulty GPU or bad drivers

If you have GTA IV, won't be a bad idea to leave that running for hours on end, it will fully stress your CPU, RAM & GPU, so it's a good power draw test.
Click to expand...

Holy flurkin shnit that's a nice board you have there.
 
Hmm, my cpu is idling at 44-45 degrees, no idea what it's hitting when running IntelBurn. I've tried my stock cooler and it's getting the same temps as my aftermarket one, that doesn't seem right.
 
JLuchinski said:
Holy flurkin shnit that's a nice board you have there.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I love it :)

JLuchinski said:
Hmm, my cpu is idling at 44-45 degrees, no idea what it's hitting when running IntelBurn. I've tried my stock cooler and it's getting the same temps as my aftermarket one, that doesn't seem right.
Click to expand...

Got Cool'n'Quiet on in the BIOS? What about windows power settings?

From the tests you've done, I'd conclude your CPU overclock is unstable, your RAM and GPU seem fine, but it freezes in IBT.

Maximum safe temp for the Phenom II's is 62c, higher than that and you'll get instability.
 
Yes I have Cool'n'quite on, it's set to turbo mode, maybe I'll try turning it off. My aftermarket cooler used to keep my CPU about 10 degrees cooler then the stock, now they stay the same. My power settings are on balanced right now, should I set it to high performance? And everything is at stock setting right now, nothing is overclocked at the moment. Edit: Hmmm, even with the fan running at 4500 RPM the temp still remains the same and is really loud, Is it safe to say it's the CPU?
 
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Using a PWM fam? RPM should scale with CPU temp.

If the CPU is faulty at stock speeds, might be time to upgrade the BIOS.
 
Awesome, the BIOS update worked! Thanks a million Linkin, I ran 20 runs of IntelBurn without issue, now to test BF3, fingers are crossed.
 
BF3 runs perfectly as well as the rest of the system. Thanks a lot Linkin, this site needs a thank you system.
 
Had a suspicion that might fix it. And people say you should leave the BIOS alone :D

A thank you system would be good as well, I think.
 
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