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PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 5:35 am
by CDRecorder
Sure. A good way to test it is to run Folding@Home for several hours. F@H is a distributed computing program. BTW, I have F@H on my four desktop computers, and I usually have at least one or two machines folding at any given time.

PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 5:48 am
by ruderacer
I just downloaded the program. I'll see what it does. And do I leave my system on?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:09 am
by CDRecorder
Yes, you'll need to leave your computer on and run the program, preferably for at least 1 or two hours. Then, check the temperature of your processor.

I currently leave my desktop computers on 24/7, and with the exception of when I'm having hardware problems, I allow the computers to fold whenever I'm not using them (and when I am using them if what I'm doing isn't CPU intensive).

PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:35 am
by ruderacer
Yes, but not connected to the internet? I clicked on the program and it says that there is already a version running. Am I doing this right? And how does one send the results to these guys? Don't forget that I'm new at this stuff. And just to be sure, the CPU temp, I read it from my temp gauge on my case or is there a especial way to do this?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 8:13 am
by dodecahedron
these programs, such as Folding@Home, ususally work and save the data and when you connect to the internet they'll automatically connect to the central server and send the info there.

just read up a bit in the website of that project, i'm sure it explains everything there.

as for checking the temps, if your case has a temperature gague, i don't know how it works and what it measures exactly.
however all modern motherboards monitor the temperature of the chip and the motherboard itself, you can see that in the BIOS.
from within Windows i can recommend Motherboard Monitor 5, here's a link: http://mbm.livewiredev.com/
you can set it up very nicely to monitor voltages, temperatures, fan speeds and more, to have alarms go off if they are out of the valid range, you can have a "dashboard" of "gagues" on the screen that show you all the info continuously. very nice.

another way to "stress" your system, make it work hard so you can see how it performs, is to use Sandra.
http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/sandra
i think the simple version is free, what you're looking for is the "Burn In test".

PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 1:06 pm
by CDRecorder
The reason F@H showed that it was already running is that it places itself in the "Startup" group on the start menu (which I think is very annoying). You can fix this by deleting the "Folding@Home" icon out of the "Startup" folder which is on your Start menu.

Also, I don't think you have to be connected to the internet the whole time; I think you only need to connect when the computer is getting a new Work Unit and when it is sending in a Work Unit.

PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 4:28 pm
by ruderacer
Well, I left the system on since 0300 hours today and it has been running since. I went in the BIOS and the current CPU Temp is 40.5C and the MB Temp 35C, and the case temp monitor reads 27.1C. Are the internal temps good? Does it mean that my system is running cool? Or should I get these internal temps cooler. TIA.

PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 5:13 pm
by CDRecorder
For an Intel system, your temps are fine. For an AMD system, your temps are great! In any case, you have nothing to worry about.

PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 5:21 pm
by ruderacer
Thanks for all the help. Hope you all had plenty of turkey.

PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:32 pm
by CDRecorder
You're welcome. I did have plenty of turkey; it was good! I hope you enjoyed yours, too. :)

PostPosted: Sat Nov 29, 2003 3:48 am
by dodecahedron
ruderacer wrote:Thanks for all the help. Hope you all had plenty of turkey.

Welcome!
i didn't! :wink: