Stress Testing A Video Card

Mulsiphix · 08-08-2007, 07:45 PM

I'm stress and temp testing a new system. While testing my new 320MB 8800GTS my computer froze after 6 hours. The freezing itself occured while 3DMark06 was showing a loading screen for one of the tests. I'm not sure if I should be worried.

Is it necessary to stress test a new graphics card for six hours in 3DMark06? The card ran for 8HR the other day without any problems. Just not sure if there is some system instability somewhere that must be fixed or if this is probably just an isolated insident.

Testing Conditions
Program: 3DMark06
Settings: Max AA/AF, 1280x1024, cpu tests disabled, looped)
Stock/OC?: Card is running at stock speeds with stock cooling.
Drivers: Latest Nvidia Detonator drivers
Temp: 52C Idle, 62C-67C during 3DMark06
Misc: NvTempLogger used to verify highest temp reached during testing and length of test before crash.

Non-Video-Card Settings
CPU: e6300 OC'ed @ 3.0GHz
CPU Note: Passed 24HR continous "Small FFTs" test in Orthos.
RAM: 3GB (1GBx3) Geil DDR2-6400
RAM Note: Passed two 12 hour memtest86+ tests without a single error. RAM running at stock speeds. Stock memory timings of 4-4-4-12 are manually set in the BIOS.
MOBO: 650i MSI P6N Platinum. Board allows for manual setting of the CPU and Memory speeds. Setting a divider is not required when OC'ing the CPU.

Various Temps
Ambient Room Temp: 76F
CPU Temp: Idles 22C-25C, Stress Testing 54C-56C
GPU Temp: 52C Idle, 62C-67C during 3DMark06
Case: Antec 900 with 6 Antec Tri-Cool fans set to High. Air coming out of exhaust fans is very cool.

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 08-08-2007, 09:12 PM

What psu do you have?

Mulsiphix · 08-08-2007, 10:28 PM

Thermaltake Toughpower 750W W0116RU. Only 1 month old.

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 08-08-2007, 10:35 PM

Did you try ntune they have a stabability test for any part of your computer

Mulsiphix · 08-08-2007, 11:45 PM

The whole point of running 3DMark06 was to stress test the vid card to find any instabilities. I've stress tested the CPU and memory for stability to beyond doubt that they are rock solid. My questions pertain to the proper method of testing a video card and I am curious if the problem witnessed was something others might be familiar with. If your unsure about the topic there is no need to reply. I can make guesses and "trial and error" as well as anybody. Was hoping to get advice from somebody who knew one way or the other.

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 08-08-2007, 11:52 PM

You know if it only happend once and you have no other problems it could just be your computer freaking out randomly happends to the best of us.

Mulsiphix · 08-09-2007, 12:42 AM

No kidding right =P. Just hate the thought, being brand new and freshly stress tested, that there is some horrible problem that will surface a month from now and I'll have to start over from scratch with all the stress tests. I've spent 48HR of actual "program running testing" the RAM and CPU combined. Would hate to have to do that again down the line *sigh*.

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 08-09-2007, 12:50 AM

Just to make sure what are your voltages =)

Mulsiphix · 08-09-2007, 01:03 AM

Video Card: stock (not even sure how to mess with them although I'm sure its possible lol)
RAM: stock speed of 800MHz. Bios allows me to set CPU and RAM speed separately without having to rely on a divider.

CPU Voltage: 1.3v + 0.2000v (actual voltage shown under H/W Monitor in BIOS as 1.496v)
Memory Voltage: Set to auto. I'd set it manually but I'm not sure how to get the memory voltage in the first place. The bios doesn't tell me the current voltage being used.
NB: 1.3v
SB: 1.25V
FFT: (actual value not listed but current set to 0%. The actual value is hidden in the bios. You can select how much more to add to the current unlisted value. In the case of FFT you can add anywhere from 2% to 20%)

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 08-09-2007, 11:36 AM

Oh sorry i was asking about like 12v 5v and such found atthe bottem of speedfan.

Mulsiphix · 08-09-2007, 11:48 AM

I don't have speedfan although I do have those voltages in my H/W Monitor of my BIOS. Here they are:

3.3v: 3.360v
5v: 5.087v
12v: 12.144v
5V SB: 5.016v

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 08-09-2007, 12:16 PM

Yes they look very good you should be fine

Mulsiphix · 08-09-2007, 12:29 PM

I posted in a couple other forums and I'm hearing much doubt about the reliability of 3DMark stress testing. Many report crashes from the program under long runs and don't seem worried about it. The fact the program froze during the loading screen, when temps and load are lowest, also makes me very weary of this occurance being a real "sign" that there is something wrong. My system smashes the hell out of all other stability testing. Voltages, temps, configuration, CPU stability, RAM stability, etc... are all optimal. I ran 3DMark06 for another four hours before bed last night without any issues. Somebody mentioned using ATI Tool to truly test the gpu of my card for instability. I think I'll take a stab at that today and see what turns up. Just running the test for three minutes put my GPU temperature into the low 70C temp range. Something 3DMark couldn't do ever. Anyway I'll report back with the results of the ATI stress testing. Wish me luck =)

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 08-09-2007, 10:54 PM

I have seen 8800s at 80c

Mulsiphix · 08-10-2007, 04:23 PM

Alright I've run ATI Tool's 3D View and Artifact tests for over an hour each. The GPU temp maxed out at 69C (for over a half hour) during the second half of the 3D View testing and there were no errors. Considering that 3DMark couldn't even get my card to 67C during 3DMark06 testing, not to mention the temp constantly moved between 60C and 66C through each of the 3DMark tests, I think the 1HR of 69C is more than enough to prove my GPU to be quite stable.

I posted this problem in three forums total and there were several people who posted stating they either had freezing issues with 3DMark06 or that they thought 3DMark was a horrible program for stability/stress testing of a CPU. A few stated the program was a horrible choice as it was not designed to run for such long periods of time. Either way you look at it I feel confident enough right now that the error was caused by or at least isolated to 3DMark06.

On another note I successfully ran Orthos blend (CPU/RAM) testing for 3 hours today with the priority set to 9. By setting the priority to 9 my CPU temp raised 6C over the max temp recorded during 24 hours of continuous Small FFTs testing. It is finally time for me to install Windows, tweak it like hell for performance, and finally start enjoying my new computer through gaming.

Many thanks to all who offered me advice, recommendations, and sharing theor own experiences with 3DMark!

08-08-2007, 07:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mulsiphix Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 90 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 (Heavily Tweaked) My System	Stress Testing A Video Card I'm stress and temp testing a new system. While testing my new 320MB 8800GTS my computer froze after 6 hours. The freezing itself occured while 3DMark06 was showing a loading screen for one of the tests. I'm not sure if I should be worried. Is it necessary to stress test a new graphics card for six hours in 3DMark06? The card ran for 8HR the other day without any problems. Just not sure if there is some system instability somewhere that must be fixed or if this is probably just an isolated insident. Testing Conditions Program: 3DMark06 Settings: Max AA/AF, 1280x1024, cpu tests disabled, looped) Stock/OC?: Card is running at stock speeds with stock cooling. Drivers: Latest Nvidia Detonator drivers Temp: 52C Idle, 62C-67C during 3DMark06 Misc: NvTempLogger used to verify highest temp reached during testing and length of test before crash. Non-Video-Card Settings CPU: e6300 OC'ed @ 3.0GHz CPU Note: Passed 24HR continous "Small FFTs" test in Orthos. RAM: 3GB (1GBx3) Geil DDR2-6400 RAM Note: Passed two 12 hour memtest86+ tests without a single error. RAM running at stock speeds. Stock memory timings of 4-4-4-12 are manually set in the BIOS. MOBO: 650i MSI P6N Platinum. Board allows for manual setting of the CPU and Memory speeds. Setting a divider is not required when OC'ing the CPU. Various Temps Ambient Room Temp: 76F CPU Temp: Idles 22C-25C, Stress Testing 54C-56C GPU Temp: 52C Idle, 62C-67C during 3DMark06 Case: Antec 900 with 6 Antec Tri-Cool fans set to High. Air coming out of exhaust fans is very cool.

08-08-2007, 09:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Stress Testing A Video Card What psu do you have? __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

08-08-2007, 10:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mulsiphix Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 90 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 (Heavily Tweaked) My System	Re: Stress Testing A Video Card Thermaltake Toughpower 750W W0116RU. Only 1 month old.

08-08-2007, 10:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Stress Testing A Video Card Did you try ntune they have a stabability test for any part of your computer __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

08-08-2007, 11:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mulsiphix Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 90 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 (Heavily Tweaked) My System	Re: Stress Testing A Video Card The whole point of running 3DMark06 was to stress test the vid card to find any instabilities. I've stress tested the CPU and memory for stability to beyond doubt that they are rock solid. My questions pertain to the proper method of testing a video card and I am curious if the problem witnessed was something others might be familiar with. If your unsure about the topic there is no need to reply. I can make guesses and "trial and error" as well as anybody. Was hoping to get advice from somebody who knew one way or the other.

08-08-2007, 11:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Stress Testing A Video Card You know if it only happend once and you have no other problems it could just be your computer freaking out randomly happends to the best of us. __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

08-09-2007, 12:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mulsiphix Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 90 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 (Heavily Tweaked) My System	Re: Stress Testing A Video Card No kidding right =P. Just hate the thought, being brand new and freshly stress tested, that there is some horrible problem that will surface a month from now and I'll have to start over from scratch with all the stress tests. I've spent 48HR of actual "program running testing" the RAM and CPU combined. Would hate to have to do that again down the line sigh.

08-09-2007, 12:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Stress Testing A Video Card Just to make sure what are your voltages =) __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

08-09-2007, 01:03 AM	#9 (permalink)
Mulsiphix Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 90 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 (Heavily Tweaked) My System	Re: Stress Testing A Video Card Video Card: stock (not even sure how to mess with them although I'm sure its possible lol) RAM: stock speed of 800MHz. Bios allows me to set CPU and RAM speed separately without having to rely on a divider. CPU Voltage: 1.3v + 0.2000v (actual voltage shown under H/W Monitor in BIOS as 1.496v) Memory Voltage: Set to auto. I'd set it manually but I'm not sure how to get the memory voltage in the first place. The bios doesn't tell me the current voltage being used. NB: 1.3v SB: 1.25V FFT: (actual value not listed but current set to 0%. The actual value is hidden in the bios. You can select how much more to add to the current unlisted value. In the case of FFT you can add anywhere from 2% to 20%) Last edited by Mulsiphix; 08-09-2007 at 01:04 AM.

08-09-2007, 11:36 AM	#10 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Stress Testing A Video Card Oh sorry i was asking about like 12v 5v and such found atthe bottem of speedfan. __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

08-09-2007, 11:48 AM	#11 (permalink)
Mulsiphix Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 90 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 (Heavily Tweaked) My System	Re: Stress Testing A Video Card I don't have speedfan although I do have those voltages in my H/W Monitor of my BIOS. Here they are: 3.3v: 3.360v 5v: 5.087v 12v: 12.144v 5V SB: 5.016v

08-09-2007, 12:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Stress Testing A Video Card Yes they look very good you should be fine __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

08-09-2007, 12:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mulsiphix Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 90 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 (Heavily Tweaked) My System	Re: Stress Testing A Video Card I posted in a couple other forums and I'm hearing much doubt about the reliability of 3DMark stress testing. Many report crashes from the program under long runs and don't seem worried about it. The fact the program froze during the loading screen, when temps and load are lowest, also makes me very weary of this occurance being a real "sign" that there is something wrong. My system smashes the hell out of all other stability testing. Voltages, temps, configuration, CPU stability, RAM stability, etc... are all optimal. I ran 3DMark06 for another four hours before bed last night without any issues. Somebody mentioned using ATI Tool to truly test the gpu of my card for instability. I think I'll take a stab at that today and see what turns up. Just running the test for three minutes put my GPU temperature into the low 70C temp range. Something 3DMark couldn't do ever. Anyway I'll report back with the results of the ATI stress testing. Wish me luck =)

08-09-2007, 10:54 PM	#14 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Stress Testing A Video Card I have seen 8800s at 80c __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

08-10-2007, 04:23 PM	#15 (permalink)
Mulsiphix Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 90 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 (Heavily Tweaked) My System	Re: Stress Testing A Video Card Alright I've run ATI Tool's 3D View and Artifact tests for over an hour each. The GPU temp maxed out at 69C (for over a half hour) during the second half of the 3D View testing and there were no errors. Considering that 3DMark couldn't even get my card to 67C during 3DMark06 testing, not to mention the temp constantly moved between 60C and 66C through each of the 3DMark tests, I think the 1HR of 69C is more than enough to prove my GPU to be quite stable. I posted this problem in three forums total and there were several people who posted stating they either had freezing issues with 3DMark06 or that they thought 3DMark was a horrible program for stability/stress testing of a CPU. A few stated the program was a horrible choice as it was not designed to run for such long periods of time. Either way you look at it I feel confident enough right now that the error was caused by or at least isolated to 3DMark06. On another note I successfully ran Orthos blend (CPU/RAM) testing for 3 hours today with the priority set to 9. By setting the priority to 9 my CPU temp raised 6C over the max temp recorded during 24 hours of continuous Small FFTs testing. It is finally time for me to install Windows, tweak it like hell for performance, and finally start enjoying my new computer through gaming. Many thanks to all who offered me advice, recommendations, and sharing theor own experiences with 3DMark!