I wasn't referring to usage of disk space. Obviously usage of disk space has nothing to do with memory bandwidth or processor stress testing.
OK, so I downloaded it and it seems to float around 93% CPU, and 15MB. Still, doesn't seem like it's very stressful on this system. When Outlook checks for mail it uses more than that! ;) > -----Original Message----- > From: Matt Daggett [mailto:mdaggett@;mcnc.org] > Sent: Monday, October 21, 2002 1:36 PM > To: Protel EDA Forum > Subject: Re: [PEDA] [OT] memory testing and benchmarking - programs > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Tony Karavidas [mailto:tony@;encoreelectronics.com] > Sent: Friday, October 18, 2002 1:15 PM > To: 'Protel EDA Forum' > Subject: Re: [PEDA] [OT] memory testing and benchmarking - programs > > > I looked at the link you provided about prime95, and if you > read the "how it works" section here > http://www.mersenne.org/works.htm it says: > > "The program runs at the lowest possible priority. You should > not see any impact on your system's performance. The program > will use about 8MB of memory and about 10MB of disk space." > > That doesn't seems like much torture to me. :) > > > <snip> > > > Use of disk space has nothing to do with memory bandwidth or > processor stress testing. The program's original function is > to search for Mersenne primes. Its part of a distributed > computing project just like Bovine, Seti, Genome, Intel's > Cure, etc. Therefore since the client is supposed to run at > the same time you are using your computer it is set to the > lowest CPU priority so that it does not lag the system while > you are using it. When your machine goes idle then the > program will use all of the available system resources. The > "torture test" mode is what is to be used for testing. > > Below are comments from the release notes as to the > usefulness of the program for stress testing: > > > STRESS TESTING YOUR COMPUTER > > BACKGROUND > ---------- > > Today's computers are not perfect. Even brand new systems > from major manufacturers can have hidden flaws. If any of > several key components such as CPU, memory, cooling, etc. are > not up to spec, it can lead to incorrect calculations and/or > unexplained system crashes. > > Overclocking is the practice of trying to increase the speed > of the CPU and memory in an effort to make a machine faster > at little cost. Typically, overclocking involves pushing > their machine to the limits and then backing off just a little bit. > > For these reasons, both non-overclockers and overclockers > need programs that test the stability of their computers. > This is done by running programs that put a heavy load on the > computer. Though not originally designed for this purpose, > this program is one of a few programs that are excellent at > stress testing a computer. > > > RESOURCES > --------- > > This program is a good stress test for the CPU, memory, > caches, CPU cooling, and case cooling. The torture test runs > continuously, comparing your computer's results to results > that are known to be correct. Any mismatch and you've got a > problem! Note that the torture test sometimes reads from and > writes to disk but cannot be considered a stress test for hard drives. > > You'll need other programs to stress video cards, PCI bus, > disk access, networking and other important components. In > addition, this is only one of several good programs that are > freely available. Some people report better finding problems > only when running two or more stress test programs > concurrently. You may need to raise prime95's priority when > running two stress test programs so that each gets about 50% > of the CPU time. > > Forums are a great place to learn about available stability > test programs and to get advice on what to do when a problem is found. > > The currently popular stability test programs are (sorry, I > don't have web addresses for these): > Prime95 (this program's torture test) > 3DMark2001 > CPU Stability test > Sisoft sandra > Quake > Folding@Home > Seti@home > Genome@home > > Several useful websites for help (look for overclocking > community or forum): > http://www.hardocp.com > http://www.anandtech.com > http://www.tomshardware.com > http://www.sharkyextreme.com > http://www.overclockers.com > Also try the alt.comp.hardware.overclocking Usenet newsgroup. > > Utility programs you may find useful (I'm sure there are others - look > around): > Motherboard monitor from http://mbm.livewiredev.com > Memtest86 from http://www.memtest86.com > TaskInfo2000 from http://www.iarsn.com/ > > > WHAT TO DO IF A PROBLEM IS FOUND? > --------------------------------- > > The exact cause of a hardware problem can be very hard to find. > > If you are not overclocking, the most likely cause is an > overheating CPU or memory SIMMs that are not quite up to > spec. Another possibility is you might need a better power > supply. Try running MotherBoard monitor and browse the > forums above to see if your CPU is running too hot. If so, > make sure the heat sink is properly attached, fans are > operational, and air flow inside the case is good. For > isolating memory problems, try swapping memory SIMMs with a > co-worker's or friend's machine. If the errors go away, then > you can be fairly confidant that memory was the cause of the trouble. > > If you are overclocking then try increasing the core voltage, > reduce the CPU speed, reduce the front side bus speed, or > change the memory timings (CAS latency). Also try asking for > help in one of the forums above - they may have other ideas to try. > > > CAN I IGNORE THE PROBLEM? > ------------------------- > > Ignoring the problem is a matter of personal preference. > There are two schools of thought on this subject. > > It is likely that most programs you run will not stress your > computer enough to cause a wrong result or system crash. A > few games stress your machine and a system crash could > result. Stay away from distributed computing projects where > an incorrect calculation might cause you to return wrong > results. You are not helping these projects by returning bad > data! In conclusion, if you are comfortable with a small > risk of an occasional system crash then feel free to live a > little dangerously! > > The second school of thought is, "Why run a stress test if > you are going to ignore the results?" These people want a > guaranteed 100% rock solid machine. Passing these stability > tests gives them the ability to run any program with confidence. > > > FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS > -------------------------- > > Q) My machine is not overclocked. If I'm getting an error, > then there must be a bug in the program, right? > > A) Unfortunately, no. The torture test is comparing > your machines > results against KNOWN CORRECT RESULTS. If your machine cannot > generate correct results, you have a hardware problem. > > Q) How long should I run the torture test? > > A) I recommend running it for 24 hours. The program has been > known to fail only after several hours of operation. In most > cases though, it will fail within a few minutes on a > flaky machine. > > Q) Prime95 reports errors during the torture test, but other > stability tests don't. Do I have a problem? > > A) Yes, you've reached the point where your machine has been > pushed just beyond its limits. Follow the recommendations above > to make your machine 100% stable or decide to live with a > machine that could have problems in rare circumstances. > > Q) A forum member said "Don't bother with prime95, it always > pukes on me, and my system is stable!". What do you make of that? > > or > > We had a server at work that ran for 2 MONTHS straight, > without a reboot I installed Prime95 on it and ran it - a > couple minutes later I get an error. You are going to tell me > that the server wasn't stable? > > A) These users obviously do not subscribe to the 100% > rock solid > school of thought. THEIR MACHINES DO HAVE HARDWARE PROBLEMS. > But since they are not presently running any programs > that reveal > the hardware problem, the machines are quite stable. As long as > these machines never run a program that uncovers the > hardware problem, > then the machines will continue to be stable. > > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Matt Daggett [mailto:mdaggett@;mcnc.org] > > Sent: Friday, October 18, 2002 6:10 AM > > To: Protel EDA Forum > > Subject: Re: [PEDA] [OT] memory testing and benchmarking - programs > > > > > > Tony, > > > > Check out SiSoft's Sandra for a full suite of system > > benchmarks. Also if you feel that you might have some faulty > > memory I'd suggest running a program called "Prime95" for a > > few days. The program is very memory as well as CPU > > intensive because it tried to factor large numbers to find > > mersenne primes. If your system can withstand the "torture > > test" feature then you know you have a stable system as far > > as memory timing, CPU cooling, etc. The torture test works > > by factoring numbers of known primes and if the answers > > computed doesn't correspond with the known solution then you > > know you have a memory issue. Its been used widely in the > > overclocking community (which I used to be a part of for a > few years). > > > > Sandra - http://www.sisoftware.demon.co.uk/sandra/ > > > > Prime95 - http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm > > > > Hope that helps. If you are really into memory performance > > you should get out your BIOS manual (assuming you have a good > > BIOS) and learn about some of the advanced memory features. > > On my workstation at home I have some PC100 running at 133Mhz > > (Crucial RAM is top notch on the fab) and just by modifying > > the CAS Latency, Bank interleaving, etc I was able to boost > > my memory performance just under that of DDR266. Not bad for > > a no cost upgrade. Oh yea... and my system will run Prime95 > > till the cows come home... this is where it pays to get high > > quality RAM and not the cheap stuff. > > > > http://www.crucial.com <-- arguably the best RAM on the market > > > > matt > > > > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:proteledaforum@;techservinc.com * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:ForumAdministrator@;TechServInc.com * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@;techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
