What is GPU Stress Test? How to conduct it? Which software to use for GPU stress test? All these questions will be answered in the article below.
Understanding the Concept of GPU Stress Test
What is GPU Stress Test?
1. What is GPU Stress Test?
GPU Stress Test is simply a series of tests designed to evaluate the stability and 'endurance' of the graphics card. This process is carried out through specialized applications, conducting continuous tests at maximum load until the system hangs or even overheats.
In addition to GPU, you can also perform stress tests to check other hardware components and computer configurations such as CPU or RAM.
- Learn more: How to Check Computer Configuration
2. Some considerations when performing GPU stress tests
It is ideal to use overclocking applications, such as MSI Afterburner, to monitor the temperature while performing stress tests. This is to avoid unfortunate risks that may occur if the GPU temperature exceeds the permissible limit for an extended period, potentially damaging the computer's graphics card.
Download MSI Afterburner to your computer and install it here.
How to perform GPU stress test
Note: Sometimes errors or issues may occur during the process, which could affect your system. Therefore, Mytour advises you to carefully consider before starting.
Step 1: Overclocking
The first step is to perform overclocking. If you simply want to check the performance or stability of the GPU, you can skip this step.
Step 2: Close all unnecessary applications
The next step is to close all unnecessary applications open on your PC to effectively conduct stress tests and avoid the most serious scenario that could potentially damage the system. This is because applications like YouTube or Netflix, and even Chrome, can heavily utilize the GPU.
Only open the overclocking software.
Step 3 : Perform stress test
Open the stress test application installed on your computer and click Run to start.
If using Unigine, it is best to run the application in full-screen mode with the original resolution, and don't forget to monitor parameters such as temperature and GPU usage.
Download Unigine to your computer and install it here.
Step 4: Option selection
In this step, your task is to choose the option to test the graphics card for how long.
Note: Only use FurMark when conducting basic tests, as this application runs for a long time and can damage the GPU. It is best to use Unigine to conduct GPU stress tests.
There are 3 options you can choose:
- Basic Stability: minutes
Perform basic test. Applications like FurMark, Heaven, and Superposition will hang if overclocking is unstable or there is a cooling system failure after the test for 30 minutes.
- Great Stability: hours
To ensure stable graphics card performance during long gaming sessions (from 3 - 5 hours), it is ideal to conduct an extended stress test for 1 hour.
- Guaranteed Stability: hours
Unigine will automatically repeat the tests over a long period to assess the highest system stability level.
3. Top GPU stress test software in 2020
Furmark
The advantage of Furmark is its simple, user-friendly interface, most suitable for checking GPU stability under normal conditions and during overclocking.
In addition, the free software is regularly updated and supports benchmarking/stress testing of the latest GPU generations.
Download Furmark to your computer and install it here.
Unigine Heaven
Best suited for assessing the performance and stability of GPUs when handling 'heavy' graphics. This is a reliable performance testing tool when comparing the performance of new generation GPUs and previous generation GPUs based on benchmark score criteria and stability during operation.
Download Unigine Heaven to your computer and install it here.
Unigine Superposition
Most suitable for testing new generation GPUs and virtual reality (VR) devices.
Indeed, this is an upgraded version of Unigine Heaven software. Although the interface is not as visually appealing as Unigine Heaven, Unigine Superposition is equipped with more advanced features.
Download Unigine Superposition to your computer and install it here.
By now, you should have an understanding of what a GPU Stress Test entails and the considerations when conducting such tests. Additionally, if you have any further inquiries or questions, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below the article.
