Is there an equivalent of Memtest86 for CPUs?

I need an easy way to do system stability tests. I have come to rely on Prime95 which does a fantastic job of proving stability (or instability) very quickly; but it requires an OS installed.

I would like something like Prime95 that stresses both CPU and RAM (maybe PCI-Ex bus also?) but runs in a nice bootable binary like Memtest86+ does, so I can boot it from a thumbdrive.

Does such a thing exist?

Nick Whaley

Posted 2010-02-17T07:28:31.317

Reputation: 622

Answers

As it was said, ubcd4win with the integrated prime95 is a good solution.

For a lighter solution you could use this linux distribution: stresslinux

stresslinux is a minimal linux distribution running from a bootable cdrom, usb, vmware or via PXE (wip).
stresslinux makes use of some utitlities available on the net like: stress, cpuburn, hddtemp, lm_sensors, memtest386+ ...
stresslinux is dedicated to users who want to test their system(s) entirely on high load and monitoring the health.

But you should be familiar with command line (& linux console) because it comes without a graphical user interface.

Update:

You could also add .Net framework to ubcd4win to use IntelBurnTest (works with amd too) - I don't have it properly tested yet, but it should work

Add the cab file for the .net framework: plugins > add
Just uncompress IntelBurnTest in a directory like C:\My_UBCD4Win_Custom_Files and add this directory in "Custom: (include files or folders from this directory)". If it doesn't work or you want to create shortcuts: you could find instructions & tools here "Robvdb how plugin" and "royalbox's barts pe plugin creator" here

fluxtendu

Posted 2010-02-17T07:28:31.317

Reputation: 6 701

stresslinux is perfect. Exactly what I need. – Nick Whaley – 2010-02-17T17:58:27.290

@fluxtendu: How would I go about building IntelBurnTest into UBCD4Win? I've been looking at this (http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/help/english/pluginformat.htm#Introduction) but I haven't figured it out. Thanks!

– ssvarc – 2010-03-25T14:35:44.260

1@Ssvarc look at my update... – fluxtendu – 2010-03-25T18:57:51.503

Thanks for the directions! I plan on trying it in the next 2 weeks and will try to update with the results. – ssvarc – 2010-03-26T02:40:41.547

You could use Ultimate Boot CD.

Download and burn the ISO into a CD or put the contents into a bootable thumb drive. Boot from the CD/thumb drive.

From the options which has several tools, you could select mainboard tools and then StressCPU test from there to stress test your CPU.

Check this, for the list of tools available in this ISO.

vpram86

Posted 2010-02-17T07:28:31.317

Reputation: 1 978

2Could you please add some more detail on how to use UB-CD to solve his problem? – Ivo Flipse – 2010-02-17T08:11:12.883

Now you're answer is worthy of my upvote ;-) Thanks for editing! – Ivo Flipse – 2010-02-17T09:31:19.710

Wow, very nice collection there. Personally looking for something a little more lightweight though. – Nick Whaley – 2010-02-17T18:03:15.377

You can run something like BartPe. There is even a version that has the plugins already installed called UBCD4Win. Sure enough, they have Prime95 in there as well. And it can run from a USB stick. (Based on info here it appears the second method is the better/easier one. YMMV)

Enjoy, and happy computing!

ssvarc

Posted 2010-02-17T07:28:31.317

Reputation: 720

Another possibility is Overclockix

Ohad Schneider

Posted 2010-02-17T07:28:31.317

Reputation: 562