How to: Burn in

[JC]

I have read many how to biuld you own computer but they never covered this. I hear lots of PC stores do this to see if everything works right. How can I do this myself?
JC

[Szech]

Well, if you can increase the voltage to the CPU, then increase it a bit, then run some program that taxes the CPU for 24 hours or more. You can get a program called burn in at www.tweakfiles.com and I think it's pretty good. Anyway, when you're done burning the computer in, lower the voltage, and the computer is supposed to be more stable/reliable. You'll probably want to take the case off while you burn it in, since increasing the voltage increases the temperature.

[Roy]

"Burning in" simply accelerates Burning OUT.

Electronic devices don't work like automobile engines that need to be "run-in" for the rings to seat.

[JC]

So after I get everything in and assembled, I just run it normally? No increased voltages, how does burning in make it run more stable?
JC

[Roy]

I'm running my 6th Pentium, they all have been totally stable out of the box at default core speed.

The ones I've overclocked have not changed performance after many hours of severe punishment from increased voltage or speed. That is, they still fail to go above some cutoff unless the voltage remains elevated.

[Bryan55]

In the late 1980s to early 1990s 'burn in' meant leaving new systems on for about 3 days to see if anything died. Over the 3 days the box got hot & marginal transistors very usually failed. Electronic devices mostly fail due to a weak part getting by manufacturer checks so I still let new things run awhile to see if anything dies. Doing Scandisk & stuff like that to give it a full workout over stressing it. BTW Monitor tubes do fade with heat & use so blankers serve them well.