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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?

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    The question seems super legit to me, got 21 upvotes, viewed 24k times but some mod who was having a bad day decided to close it for 'off-topic', classic. Anyway OP, thanks for asking this question Mar 21, 2021 at 22:49

4 Answers 4

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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

  1. Add the cab file for the .net framework: plugins > add
  2. 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
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  • stresslinux is perfect. Exactly what I need. Feb 17, 2010 at 17:58
  • @fluxtendu: How would I go about building IntelBurnTest into UBCD4Win? I've been looking at this (nu2.nu/pebuilder/help/english/pluginformat.htm#Introduction) but I haven't figured it out. Thanks!
    – ssvarc
    Mar 25, 2010 at 14:35
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    @Ssvarc look at my update...
    – fluxtendu
    Mar 25, 2010 at 18:57
  • Thanks for the directions! I plan on trying it in the next 2 weeks and will try to update with the results.
    – ssvarc
    Mar 26, 2010 at 2:40
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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.

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    Could you please add some more detail on how to use UB-CD to solve his problem?
    – Ivo Flipse
    Feb 17, 2010 at 8:11
  • Now you're answer is worthy of my upvote ;-) Thanks for editing!
    – Ivo Flipse
    Feb 17, 2010 at 9:31
  • Wow, very nice collection there. Personally looking for something a little more lightweight though. Feb 17, 2010 at 18:03
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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!

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Another possibility is Overclockix

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