Programs to test and stress-check your PC
A new or upgraded computer should be tested before you rely on it: stress tests reveal weak cooling, unstable overclocks, faulty memory or a power supply that cannot keep up. Below are the tools we use ourselves when we check a build. All of them are downloaded from the official websites.
Before you start: watch the temperatures and stop the test if the PC restarts, shows artifacts on the screen or the temperature keeps rising sharply. Do not run several stress tests at the same time, and do not leave a heavy test running unattended on a computer you have just assembled.
OCCT
An all-in-one stability tool: separate tests for the processor, graphics card, memory and power supply, with live graphs of temperatures, frequencies and voltages. It stops automatically when it finds an error, which makes it very convenient for checking overclocks and undervolts. Free for home use.
Download OCCT (official site)
FurMark
A classic graphics card stress test. It loads the GPU to the maximum, so you can quickly see how the cooler, thermal paste and case airflow cope with the heat. FurMark also includes a simple benchmark with a score. Use it for short runs only, because it produces a heavier load than real games.
Download FurMark (official site)
AIDA64
A complete system diagnostic and benchmark suite. It shows detailed information about every component, runs stability tests for the CPU, cache, memory and drives, and measures memory speed and latency. AIDA64 is a paid program with a 30-day trial.
Download AIDA64 (official site)
Prime95
One of the toughest processor tests in the world. The “Torture test” loads all cores and checks the results for errors, so a single wrong calculation tells you the CPU, memory or power delivery is not stable. It produces a lot of heat, so keep an eye on the temperature. Free.
Download Prime95 (official site)
Cinebench
A popular processor benchmark from Maxon. It renders a scene on all cores or on a single core and gives a score, so you can compare your CPU with other computers and see whether it performs as expected. Free.
Download Cinebench (official site)
Unigine Superposition
A beautiful graphics benchmark and stability test. It runs a detailed 3D scene at different quality levels, shows GPU temperature and clock speed, and has a looped stress mode. A good choice to compare graphics cards and to check an overclock. Free basic edition.
Download Unigine Superposition (official site)
MemTest86
Tests the RAM from a bootable USB drive, outside of Windows, so nothing interferes with the check. Run it after installing new memory or enabling XMP/EXPO: if it reports errors, the memory or its settings are unstable. The free edition is enough for most users.
Download MemTest86 (official site)
CrystalDiskMark
A simple benchmark for SSDs, hard drives and USB flash drives. It measures sequential and random read and write speed, so you can check that your NVMe drive really runs at the advertised speed. Free.
Download CrystalDiskMark (official site)
HWiNFO
Not a stress test, but the best companion for all of them: it shows temperatures, frequencies, voltages, fan speeds and power draw of every component in real time. Run it while any test above is working. Free for non-commercial use.
Download HWiNFO (official site)
Quick testing plan for a new PC
- Install the latest drivers and update Windows
- Run HWiNFO and note the idle temperatures
- Test the memory with MemTest86 (at least one full pass)
- Test the processor for 20–30 minutes with OCCT or Prime95
- Test the graphics card for 15–20 minutes with OCCT, FurMark or Superposition
- Check the drive speed with CrystalDiskMark
- Compare the scores in Cinebench and Superposition with similar computers
Not sure what your results mean, or want a PC that is already tested and ready to use? Open the configurator and we will build it for you.