Understanding the AIDA64 Stability Test

[Rangan Das]

I have been using AIDA64 Extreme Edition for a while now and I need to know how much the "Stability Test" reflects real life usage. My system configuration is right at the bottom of this article.

Now, here's a small issue that I ran into previously. When I installed AIDA64, both my CPU and GPU was OCed. That would freeze the test after around 30 seconds and I had to reset. Once, my boot disk was not even detected after the reset. I had to unplug and plug-in the PC to get it back.

Now, the stability test runs fine without the CPU OCed, but the CPU clock automatically hits a higher clock speed than what the OC was initially (200 MHz more). The stability tests runs well for over 30 minutes without any issues, no freezing or whatsoever.

Now, here are my questions (do see my config first, though):

Before the test, I never had freezes before. Is it a failing PSU or a bad OC?

After the reset, why wasn't my boot drive being detected?

Are the temps and volts from the test good enough? Do I need to replace a fan or a PSU or anything?

My system runs normal otherwise, without any issues. Should I take stress testing seriously?
(I play a lot of games and I need to do a lot of work on Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Visual Studio)

Here's the stats.

(Ambient temp was 22.5 deg C)

Configuration ================================================

• • 
    Main ===================================================
    
    • 
      CPU: AMD FX 8320 @ 3.5 GHz
      GPU: AMD Radeon HD 7850 @ 900MHz (OCed from 860MHz)
      MEM: 12GB (3x 4GB Kingston ValueRAM, low profile)
      MB: Gigabyte 970A-DS3
      PSU: Cooler Master Thunder 500W
    Storage ==================================================
    • 
      Seagate Barracuda 250GB 7200RPM (1 Partition, System Drive)
      WD Green 2TB
      DVD-RAM Drive
      Seagate GoFlex FreeAgent 1TB USB 2.0 HDD
    Other Hardware ============================================
    • 
      Multi Card Reader
      PCI USB 3.0 Card
      Cooler Master HyperX T3i Cooler in Push/Pull Config
      3x 120mm Fans
      1x 120mm LED Fan
      2x 80mm fans

 

[viper666]

That minimum voltage on the +12V line is rather low at 11.52 and it's probably caused by the aging of the capacitors inside the PSU and it will need replacing soon.

 

[Rangan Das]

That minimum voltage on the +12V line is rather low at 11.52 and it's probably caused by the aging of the capacitors inside the PSU and it will need replacing soon.

The value goes this low when I do the stability test only. Should I be concerned?

Here's a stat when I was playing playing CoD AW all maxed out at 720p.

Let me know what you think...

 

[viper666]

Well it's inside the maximum allowed variation of +/- 5% (11.4v - 12.6v) but it will need replacing till the end of the year i think. For example my Corsair 650TX is 6 years old and maintains 12.05-12.15v constantly which is helpful in overclocking. As for your stability issue, what's the ram frequency as the valueram is not very o/c-able, maybe +20-50mhz.

 

[Rangan Das]

Well it's inside the maximum allowed variation of +/- 5% (11.4v - 12.6v) but it will need replacing till the end of the year i think. For example my Corsair 650TX is 6 years old and maintains 12.05-12.15v constantly which is helpful in overclocking. As for your stability issue, what's the ram frequency as the valueram is not very o/c-able, maybe +20-50mhz.

I am not even touching the RAM. Just the CPU and the GPU. I do not even OC the GPU mem clock. What is surprising is that when I OC my CPU to 3600MHz, the test freezes. When it is not OCed, it automatically goes to 3800MHz and goes not even freeze.

And yeah, I might replace the PSU in the last quarter of 2015. Is that okay?