Burn-in software can also test DVD, Blu-ray and CD-ROM drives.
The source of computer hardware errors is often difficult to pin down. PC burn-in tools are designed to expose the source of these errors by stress-testing the processor, system memory, graphics processor and hard drive. Many stress-testing tools are designed to work from the DOS operating environment, although some tools are available for use in Windows. Windows based burn-in software has the advantage of an easy-to-use interface, but cannot test system resources being used by Windows. DOS-based applications are usually more complex but are typically more thorough.
Uses
This type of software tool is often used to test the basic functionality of computer hardware. PC burn-in tools are used to check new computer hardware for manufacturing defects or old hardware for age-related problems. These tools can also test the stability of over-clocked computers. Over-clocking a computer increases the speed of system memory and processors by manipulating specific settings related to how those parts send and receive electrical signals. PC burn-in applications such as Burn-In Test use programs designed to force your computer's hardware to operate at maximum capacity while monitoring it for errors.
Disk Drives
Many PC burn-in tools are part of a software suite that is designed to provide stress-testing for every part of the computer. Heavy Load is one example of a stress-testing tool designed for multiple types of hardware, including hard drives. This type of disk drive checking utility probes the drive for errors by forcing the computer to write data to a temporary file on the hard drive over a specified period of time.
Microprocessors
The main application of the burn-in tool tests microprocessors. There are three major types of processor that PC burn-in tools are designed to test, including the motherboard chipset, the Central Processing Unit and the Graphics Processing Unit. The motherboard chipset is a processor built into the motherboard that controls a variety of important features on the motherboard. The CPU is the main processor for the computer, while the GPU renders what you see on your screen. CPU and chipset burn-in tests force these processors to run at maximum capacity, repeatedly running a complex mathmatical equation for a specified amount of time. Grahpics processing tests require your graphics card to render a large number of complex images using a variety of effects.
Memory
Burn-in tools are also designed to test the reliability and performance of system memory. Tools including Memtest86+ use a variety of algorithyms to systematically test memory modules for errors. Memory tests are commonly bundled with burn-in tools designed to test processor performance since memory and CPU performance are co-dependant.
Benchmarking
Many burn-in applications also provide PC benchmarking services. Benchmarking is especially useful for over-clocking, since it allows the user to capture the results of burn-in tests to compare the performance of different over-clocked configurations. PC performance benchmarking tools are often bundled with burn-in tool applications.
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