Testing & Validating PC Hardware (after a new build)

gistfile1.txt

# Prerequisites

- a machine with installed Windows, including the following tools:
  I recommend to use chocolatey as a package manager:
  ```choco install -y cpu-z hwinfo furmark gpu-z prime95```
  - CPU-Z
  - HWInfo
  - Furmark
  - GPU-Z
  - Prime95


- Memtest Stick
  https://www.memtest86.com/
  Download -> Create a bootable USB Stick

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## 1. Test CPU temperature

Goal: 
Put maximum load on the CPU to see if we got thermal issues OR the CPU starts to throttle

Prerequisites:
- Information
  - max temp of your CPU according to its spec-sheet
  example:
  https://www.amd.com/en/products/cpu/amd-ryzen-7-7700x
  has a "Max. Operating Temperature (Tjmax)" of 95°C
- Tools
  - HWInfo
  - Prime95

Process:
- Launch HWInfo sensor view 
- Launch Prime95
- Start a torture test "Small FFTs" (maximum power/heat/stress)
- Watch/monitor the CPU temperatures AND max clocks

Definition of Success:
- The CPU doesnt reach Tjmax while still maintaining its max base clock as a min!

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## 2. Validate CPU performance

Goal: 
Compare your CPU performance to a reference

Prerequisites:
- Information
  - expectation / a compare-able reference processor
    CPU-Z offers a wide range of reference data of each generation to compare to
    example: We want to compare a 7700X (8c/16t) to 7950X (16c/32t) 
    that would result in the following expectation: 
    same single-core performance
    half the multi-core performance

- Tools
  - CPU-Z

Process:
- Launch CPU-Z
- Start a "bench"
- Compare the scores to the reference

Definition of Success:
- The CPU scores are within the expectation we made up

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## 3. Test RAM for errors

Goal: 
Test your RAM for errors

Prerequisites:
- Memtest Stick

Process:
- Boot the Memtest Stick
- Run the Memtest
  example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA7ua19snzc

Definition of Success:
- No errors / at least 1 full cycle tested