System Burn-In ?

[jonespta]

When building new systems, I sometimes see reference to system burn-in. What is this and is it necessary ?

[skywalker[TSG]]

well i dont know if this is works but maybe it does its like a diesel engine it runs better after a few thousand miles than brand new and people say that cpus gennerate less heat if you burn them in with rc5,prime etc

[ANTONIO E GUERRA]

This is a particular software that will test all the components and simulate some applications such as wordprocessing, spreadsheet, autocad and benchmarch tests before giving to your customers.The most popular softwares are Checkit Pro,(my favorite) The Troubleshooter (excelent), and Sandrasoft --best of all, free. These software will detect problems that escape to the busy technician. Hope it helps!

[This message has been edited by ANTONIO E GUERRA (edited 07-12-99).]

[Swipper]

jonespta:
This question would be answered in an instant if you raised it in the OverClockers discussion forum.

Basically freshly manufactured CPUS may have tiny microscopic impurities in the conductive channels which imped the process of electrons runing through it. The result is the CPU needs a higher voltage than the norm to operate this increase core temperature.

The burn-in process involves running a CPU intensive program ,like Prime95 a prime number calculator, for long periods of time while setting the core voltage to the upper limits of the processor.

The aim of the burn-in process is to eliminate the impurities by means of electron-migration, happens at upper temperature limits, within the channels of the CPU. Once this is done, it is possible to run the CPU at lower voltages and this means lower operating tempatures.

CPUs running at lower voltages are easier to OverClock because they generate less heat.

Warning:
The Burn-in process will reduce the life expectancy of the CPU by as much as 1 to 2 years. But with the speed Intel is turning out faster CPUs the replacement would can be got for next to nothing if they are still around that is...



[This message has been edited by Swipper (edited 07-14-99).]

[bringspeed]

well, all i have to say is this. sytem burn in was used extensivly in the eightys by computer manufacturers, by running all the systems off the production line in a room that was maintained at 120 degrees, for 48 hours, with the processor calculating the whole time. the reason for doing this was that the methods for making the processors back then where ALOT less reliable, and the burn in was an attempt to break the system, because it costs alot less to remanufacture a computer that malfunctions at the factory, than it does to replace a whole computer, because the consumer broke it because of an imperfection in the chip, as they had to scrap most of the computer if the consumer sent it back, because of legal reasons. that was a long sentence. but, because of the much more reliable chip manufacturing of today,(overclocking wouldn't be possible without it, but that's another post) it isn't necesary anymore. though i have heard of running a chip at higher speeds and voltages to get it run faster in the long run, but that would be more of a "memory setting" period, like you might do with a NiCd battery. if i have confused anyone, just ask.

[bringspeed]

let me clarify the " memory setting" thing, it won't take long. i meant it was a better analogy than a burn in, not that they are the same thing. just preventing correction posts before they start.