In general, when we see a new driver update from AMD or NVIDIA, we hope that it fixes the problems of the previous versions and adds optimizations for the games coming to market; However, it is also quite common for the manufacturer to add new features like this tool that will allow us, without the need to install third-party applications, to check the stability of the graphics card.
What is the purpose of passing a GPU stress test?
Many people think that checking GPU stability or stress testing only works if you have done so. overclock, so that you can check whether it is stable or not. It is indeed useful for that, but the use that can be given to this type of test goes much further; your goal is to get your graphics card working to the best of your possibilities, with a level of stress itself much higher than that which we subject, for example, when playing any game.
However, having a tool that allows us to stress the GPU as much as possible can also serve us for other purposes besides checking if overclocking is stable, like the following:
- Check if the graphics have any issues or are damaged, for example if there are artifacts or if the computer gives you a BSOD when you put maximum strain on the GPU.
- Check what is the maximum consumption of the graphics card.
- Check the maximum temperature reached by the graph, to see if it is time to change the thermal grease or subject it to a good heatsink cleaning.
- Check its sound level at maximum load.
- If your PC is making a strange noise like the coil whine, then you can check whether or not it is coming from your graphics card.
As you can see there are many utilities that have graphics card stress test, although it is true that all of them are intended to be able to ensure that it is working properly. Now, with this addition to AMD software, we have the benefit of being able to do this directly from the brand’s own software and without having to resort to third-party tools, in some cases for a fee.
How to use this test with AMD drivers
Obviously, for this test to appear in your AMD drivers, you must have a branded graphics card and also have installed the Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition drivers in version 21.3.1 or higher. Once done, you should go to the Performance tab at the top and then select the “Tuning” option from the submenu that appears just below. You will see that the option to run a stress test now appears.
Besides letting you run the stress test, here you will find metrics showing some of the GPU operating parameters, such as clock speed, RAM speed, power consumption, fan, junction temperature (junction temperature) and GPU temperature. Thus, with this test, AMD provides us with all the necessary tools to carry out the health checks that we mentioned in the previous section.
You don’t have to do anything else, accessing this tool is as easy as opening the AMD Radeon software and running the test, so if you own an AMD graphics, now it’s easier than ever to be able to check that it is working correctly. and even to monitor its settings. Remember that this test maximizes the graph and that this is not a conventional usage situation.
What if your system is unstable?
As we mentioned before, this AMD drivers tool is used to get the graphics card to its maximum output, but you have to keep in mind that this will not be an actual working situation, not even in demanding games where although the GPU can be set to 100%, rarely the memory will also be set to maximum.
This can lead to instability in the system, which can be normal if you overclock, but not if the chart was with the stock values. Therefore, if for example you received blue screenshots while you are playing and still getting them when using this AMD test then you will know that something is not working well in your graph and you will know where to start investigating the problem … and for that , you will always also have the temperature and speed values in view of the fan, for example.
Also with this test you will be able to see if the noise emitted by the fans is normal, or if the graph reaches an unsafe temperature … again a sign that either it is not working properly or it is time to make it. maintenance, starting with a thorough cleaning and if necessary even changing the thermal paste as this is something that when you have been using a device for years you will have to do it at some point.
Either way, with this addition to AMD’s driver set, the company has made it easier than ever to check the working status of the graphics card, and also without having to resort to third-party software, which was until now what we always had to do. In any case, also remember that this is only available for AMD graphics cards and with branded software; As of yet, neither Intel nor NVIDIA has created anything similar, although as always happens in these cases, there’s a good chance they’ll integrate it into their software soon.
