Looking for testing and tweaking software suggestions

[Rardac]

OK, so I just finished putting together my new magic box (first full build for me), and I was wondering what (preferably free) tools might be out there for testing, performance monitoring, and tweaking various components. Any suggestions and guidance would be appreciated.

For what its worth, the build was a slightly modified 'Gisli' build (http://www.ravensofwar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=698&page=5) with an Asus P5Q Deluxe mobo and the Wolfdale E8500 3.16 chipset instead. Oh, and an Antec 900 case.

Thanks much!

[Gisli]

http://www.ravensofwar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=662

http://www.ravensofwar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=634 (you will need to dig a little through this thread)

[Rardac]

Thanks, G! I had forgotten about those theads...

[Cillbo]

Memtest86+ For memory testing. The best around IMO. You will need to reboot into the Memtest OS from the CD though.
http://www.memtest.org/download/2.01/memtest86+-2.01.iso.zip

Prime95 Good stability testing option for CPU.
http://mersenne.org/gimps/p95v2414.exe

[Dall dies to much]

oh and EVGA percision

http://www.evga.com/precision/

eaiser for beginners then Rivatuner (its a downgraded version, easier to deal with)

also

Coretemp
RealTemp

goolge both of them for better CPU temps.. Asus probe is Crap O la




For what its worth, the build was a slightly modified 'Gisli' build (http://www.ravensofwar.com/forum/sho...p?t=698&page=5 (http://www.ravensofwar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=698&page=5)) with an Asus P5Q Deluxe mobo and the Wolfdale E8500 3.16 chipset instead. Oh, and an Antec 900 case.


hehehe... what video card did you go with? (that build I helped him with was 90% the same as mine btw)

I got my e8400 clocked at 4.05 ghz stable right now, but I have a tuniq 120 tower on that bad boy

[Rardac]

I got this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Seeme to work pretty good so far, but still setting up...:)

[Caere]

For testing overall system stability, try IntelBurnTest.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/IntelBurnTest-v1.6_d2047.html

Benefits of using ItelBurnTest/Linpack:
1. More accurate than Prime95 Small FFTs/Blend.
2. Takes less time to tell if your CPU/RAM is unstable than Prime95 (usually something like 8 minutes Linpack vs 40 hours under Prime95).
3. Use the same stress-testing engine that Intel uses to test their products before they are packed and put on shelves for sale.

This test will tell you if your system is stable, ie. processor speed, voltages, memory, temps, etc. You should run 10 iterations, monitor temps, and if all of the resulting 10 Residual numbers are equal, then your system is stable. Unlike 24 hour testing with Prime95, 10 iterations takes about 1 hour and it's a more rigorous test. Monitor your temps, this baby gets hot! Best systems test out there right now.

Use something like Real Temp to monitor CPU temperatures http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1139/mirrors.php

For Video testing use 3dMark06 or 3dMarkVantage, see http://www.ravensofwar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=662

[Jalec]

http://www.ocbase.com/perestroika_en/index.php?Download

OCCT is a monster on a system. great way to test the stability of an Overclock. it has some safeguards built in.