prime95 test question
prime95 test question
just began experimenting with overclocking my 4670k and was adjusting settings on Prime95. seems like most resources suggest using smaller FFT or blending options. my concern is why not go big? i only asked this because i chose the larger setting, which caused my CPU to overheat significantly compared to the other two. or is this more about a thermal testing feature rather than anything else? blend is currently running at 75°C or lower, while large was consistently around 90°C.
I did not run any Prime95 version. Please specify the version you are using if you want to check it.
28.5 peak hitting capacity reaches 85 a few times during blends, but it remains far from the 90-92°C and crash temperatures of the larger units.
Prime95 versions beyond 26.6 should not be used. This is because Core i 2nd, 3rd and 4th Generation CPUs support AVX instruction sets. Newer Prime95 releases, like 28.5, execute AVX code on the FPU math coprocessor, leading to significantly higher temperatures. The stability testing tool AIDA64 confirms this trend. Prime95 v26.6 generates more stable temperatures on 3rd and 4th Generation processors compared to 2nd Generation ones, despite both supporting AVX. This stability comes from a soldered Integrated Heat Spreader and a larger die size, which helps manage heat. For reference, download Prime95 version 26.6 from the provided link. Run only short FFTs for ten minutes. Measure Core temperatures using Real Temp, as it’s tailored for Intel processors: Real Temp - http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/208...temp-3-70/ Using v26.6 will result in temperatures 10 to 20°C lower than with v28.5. Please see Tom’s Sticky for more details: Intel Temperature Guide -
Hey man. Prime 95 is really inaccurate and not useful for checking system stability. Your CPU will never reach the temperatures and stress that Prime 95 claims it causes. Instead, use Intel Extreme Utility and its stress test feature. Don't waste time with Prime 95. For the bigger challenge, a more intense test is better—large stress testing gives lower temps because it combines different temperature ranges.
Because all tests are conducted with X stress software under specific ambient conditions and various measuring tools, direct comparisons become difficult. This inconsistency makes it hard to accurately assess processor temperatures. Only three key metrics are meaningful: ambient temperature, steady-state performance at full load, and idle state. Games and applications introduce variable loads that aren't ideal for thermal evaluation or precise temperature analysis. Prime95 Small FFT is preferred for CPU thermal checks due to its steady-state 100% workload, which aligns with how Real Temp evaluates sensors. The latest version supports all Core i and Core 2 models well. Blend, a cyclic workload from Prime95, is used for memory stability checks and isn't suitable for CPU thermal testing. Tests like Linpack and Intel Burn Test also use high-load cycles that don't reflect real-world CPU stress. OCCT combines elements from Linpack and Prime95 for comprehensive testing. The thermal patterns displayed in the charts illustrate how each method captures different temperature behaviors. Intel Extreme Tuning Utility offers a cyclic workload and is another option for CPU testing, though it's not free. Remember, Prime95 Small FFTs are being used here for thermal purposes, not stability analysis.