How To Test a Gaming PC and Overclock

Building a PC isn't enough, here's how to test it!

With a custom gaming PC, especially when you overclock you need to make sure that all of the parts and components in your build are working correctly with a stress test. Is your power supply up to powering the entire computer? How about the CPU and graphics card, are they able to run at 100% without problems? Same goes for your cooling, under heavy load is the PC able to keep cool?

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[AmenXenon]

if you have a Intel CPU download 'Intel Extreme Tuning Utility' to either overclock or monitor your core temp.

[austinevans]

Sure, couldn't hurt! If it causes problems you're basically just getting a heads up about something that will happen sooner or later IMO.

[austinevans]

You can do this with basically any build. Just keep an eye on the temperatures with Core Temp and Furmark.

[austinevans]

You can get estimates about CPU wattage but to really know you can buy a Kill-A-Watt. Only like $15 and it tells you exactly what your computer is pulling from the wall. Really handy!

[TheFreakyGames]

Thanks Austin. Really, your quality of the videos you make is climbing with an astronomical rate! Keep up the good work, and thanks for the tips!

[austinevans]

Like everyone else said, an upgraded GPU would be a huge help. Something like a 7870 or GTX 660 should be good for you. The graphics card is almost always the most important part for gaming.

[austinevans]

If the temps are reasonable then nah, I wouldn't add any extra fans. Only when it gets too hot is when I add more airflow.

[austinevans]

I wouldn't worry so much about the FPS and more about the temps you're getting and if it's stable.

[austinevans]

Sure. I like the Radeon 7750 for a good low powered and cheap card but it all depends on your budget and what kind of build you have.

[austinevans]

Good point, I usually get lazy and just use Prime95 to test memory as well.

[shadagascavich]

This is such a great channel... so helpful and interesting. Glad I subbed ages ago just because of the give away you had with Elric back when he was at the motherboards channel

[kirtpincott]

Been waiting for video like this for ages thanks

[austinevans]

This works regardless of your setup really, just keep an eye on the temperature.

[nirvana]

Nice end music, just what your videos needed

[mackan]

My computer has an i7 4790k running at stock speed.
I handed it in to the store where I had it built a week ago because the computer felt hot to the touch of the chassi. And after dwnloading HWMonitor, RealTemp and MSI afterburner to verify that the CPU was up in the 100 degree celcius area in as simple games as CSGO. At the store they besically said that the H55 I was using wasn't enough, so I chose to upgrade to the Noctua NH-D15.

They changed the cooler, said that it now ideled at around 35 and ran at about 70 degrees at full load.

Now, about a week later I installed prime95 and ran it.
It is not overclocked and I'm using the Noctua NH-D15 cooler. It hovers around 75 degrees at 100% load, but after only five minuits in or so it shoots up towards 100 degrees celsius. I'm most likley going back to the store, but what could be causing this? The cpu should be able to handle full load, even at stock speed. I'm using one of the more expensive air coolers and still get theese temperatures. Do I have incredibly bad luck at the silicon lottery or what else could it be? The store I bought it in specialize in selling PCs they build out of parts that you choose, it seems like they would know how to propperly install a cooler..

Doeas anyone have any ideas?
I wanted to be able to try overclocking just a little, but this seems far from reality as my CPU runs too hot even at stock speed :(

[austinevans]

Congrats! I'd say take a look at my $1500 build to play games on Ultra and the $2500 build if you want to use a triple-monitor setup.

[TheZobot]

Hey Austin, I really appreciate you trying different backgrounds for your videos but honestly I personally dont like the current one. The white wall background was the best an I hope you continue with that one !

[austinevans]

Nah. CPUs are pretty robust, as long as the temperatures aren't too high and you aren't pushing a massive amount of extra voltage through the processor you should be fine. If you aren't overclocking though there's not much reason to run it that long.

[jessesaysongkham]

thank you! ive been waiting for video like this from you

[ContradictingCow]

The 900 series Phenoms are definitely newer than Athlon II, and all the tech specs show that yours should have more performance because of a higher clock-rate and a larger, combined L3 cache.

I normally ran Far Cry 3 at medium until I decided to stress-test my computer, which showed I could turn up settings.