Intel CPU - Diagnose

How to Diagnose an Intel CPU with Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool​

   Information

The Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool (IPDT) is a free application from Intel Corporation that runs several diagnostic and performance tests on a wide variety of Intel CPU's. The results are summarised in a simple text format file that can be useful in understanding the capability's of your CPU, seeking help with a hardware issue, or even dealing directly with Intel as supplementary information if you are considering an RMA of the CPU.

This tutorial will show you how to:

• Download and install IPDT to your computer
• Run the quick (default) tests
• Select & run full functional and burn-in tests
• Setup & run customised tests
• Review the IPDT test results

IPDT is a useful tool in your arsenal if you are troubleshooting a BSOD, or simply wanting to test the stability of a particular CPU overclock.

On an Intel Core i3-2330M 2.20GHz the quick tests take just over 4 minutes to complete. On faster or slower CPU's this time will vary, as will the time if the full functional, burn-in and custom tests are used instead.

   Note

IPDT supports the following family of Intel processors:
Intel® Atom™ Processor
Intel® Core™ Duo Processor
Intel® Core™ i3 Desktop Processor
Intel® Core™ i3 Mobile Processor
Intel® Core™ i5 Desktop Processor
Intel® Core™ i5 Mobile Processor
Intel® Core™ i7 Desktop Processor
Intel® Core™ i7 Mobile Processor
Intel® Core™ i7 Mobile Processor Extreme Edition
Intel® Core™ i7 Processor Extreme Edition
Intel® Core™ Solo Processor
Intel® Core™2 Duo Desktop Processor
Intel® Core™2 Duo Mobile Processor
Intel® Core™2 Extreme Mobile Processor
Intel® Core™2 Extreme Processor
Intel® Core™2 Quad Mobile Processor
Intel® Core™2 Quad Processor
Intel® Core™2 Solo Processor
Intel® Itanium® Processors
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor Extreme Edition
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processors
Intel® Pentium® D Processor
Intel® Pentium® M Processor
Intel® Pentium® Processor Extreme Edition
Intel® Pentium® Processor for Desktop
Intel® Pentium® Processor for Mobile
Intel® Xeon® Processor
Intel® Xeon® Processor 3000 Sequence
Intel® Xeon® Processor 5000 Sequence
Intel® Xeon® Processor 6000 Sequence
Intel® Xeon® Processor 7000 Sequence
Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1200 Product Family
Mobile Intel® Celeron® Processors
Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processors - M

STEP ONE

Downloading IPDT

1. Download the IPDT executable file from this location:

For 32-bit versions of Windows:

Download




For 64-bit versions of Windows:

Download

STEP TWO

Installing IPDT

1. Locate and double-click the downloaded IPDT executable, and accept the UAC prompt. An information panel will be displayed showing the current version of IPDT - click OK to proceed with installation.

STEP THREE

Running IPDT

1. Locate the IPDT short-cut on your desktop, and double click it to run IPDT.

2. IPDT will open and immediately start a series of default tests (quick tests), as shown below. Alternate and custom user-defined tests can also be setup and run as explained later on.



3. As the tests are executed, the text in the centre window will continue to scroll and the progress bar will move along. If the CPU supports integrated graphics, the during the test, additional windows will open to test the graphics capability of the CPU, as shown below.

4. In addition, the video output will also flip orientation for a few seconds during the test : once upside down, and once on either side, and then finally return to the normal orientation. This is completely normal. If you use a dedicated video card, then the graphics tests will be skipped.

One of the tests that will be executed will place some load on/stress your CPU. During this test your cooling fans will increase in rotational speed and will be audibly louder. This is normal since the fans need to work a little harder to dissipate the heat generated by the CPU stress test.

5. Finally, the test will complete and be replaced by a confirmation window summarising the test results. If all the tests pass, then the confirmation box is green.


If any of the test fail, then the confirmation box is red.

6. The TestResults.txt file is saved in C:\Program Files\Intel Corporation\Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool 64Bit. I have attached the results from running IPDT on my system if you want to review the details of the test.

View attachment TestResults.txt

7. Some information that is immediately useful from the test is the temperature at which the CPU idles, and the temperature under load. In both cases, these are well below the maximum recommended temperature of the CPU and I can be confident that for these tests, the CPU cooling arrangement (thermal paste media and fan) is performing adequately.

Idle:

Temperature Test Passed!!!
Temperature = 34 degrees C below maximum.

Under load:

Temperature Test Passed!!!
Temperature = 19 degrees C below maximum.

STEP FOUR

Selecting and Running Alternate IPDT Tests

IPDT allows you to select from two additional predetermined tests, as well customising the tests that are executed. These might be useful for hardware enthusiasts that specialise in overclocking the CPU to maximise performance and want to test the stability of the overclock.
1. To select the predetermined tests, or to setup a custom test, locate the Configure IPDT option under the Windows start menu as shown below.

2. The IPDT configuration panel will open, as shown below.

3. To create a custom test, simply remove the check box from the item in the Configurable Features section that you do not wish to run. When you do this, the appropriate parameters in the Configurable Parameters section will be removed automatically. Those that are left, are the parameters that can be configured/modified for the tests you wish to run.

4. When you click Exit Saving Config, the new configuration is automatically saved and becomes the default test when you run IPDT. Clicking the Reset to Defaults button will undo any changes you made, and reset the options to that for the quick test. Below is an example of a custom test.

5. By selecting the Presets button, you can choose the options and parameters for the Full-Functional and Burn-In tests. When you click Exit Saving Config, the preset configuration you chose is automatically saved and becomes the default test when you run IPDT. These options are shown below.


Thats it. The Quick Tests are sufficient for the average computer user, whilst those troubleshooting BSOD's or overclocking will find the alternate and custom tests useful

   Information

You can find more detail about IPDT and the tests in the help manuals.

View attachment IntelProcessorDiagnosticToolHelp.pdf

Regards,
Golden

   Note

Thanks to Paul and Steve for testing the tutorial and supplying useful feedback and images to use here

Related Tutorials

---

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220743-cpu-stress-test-using-intelburntest.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100352-hardware-stress-test-prime95.html

 

[Britton30]

Good job Colin, I didn't know this test existed.

Too bad it has to use the outdated Java platform though.

 

[Golden]

Thanks! Yeah, its a pity about Java but hopefully the warning will alert people to its risk and help with mitigation.

 

[carwiz]

Bummer...It requires Java Runtime. Now I remember why I didn't use it when I built my system.

Good tutorial in any case. The PDF manual for it is available too.

 

[Golden]

Cheers. I added the manuals, good tip

 

[Layback Bear]

I'm doing the test now. (Burn in Test) just for 15 min.
I started by completely cleaning my computer.
1. Scans with Super Anti Spyware
2. Scans with Malwarebytes Anti Malware
3. Scans with Microsoft Security Essentials
4. Scans with AdwCleaner
5. Use Windows Cleanup Manager
6. Ccleaner.
7. Cleaned Event Viewer.
Doing all this to see if any little goodies might come with it.
Will scan again when done.
I will be back.

Edit:

Test went well Passed max. temps 46C/100% load.

Ran all the scans again and found no little goodies/still clean.
Remove all of Java just installed.
Now unable to run the Intel program. Seem like Java has to stay installed to run the Intel Tests not just to download the program.

 

[Airbot]

Good job Colin, I didn't know this test existed.

Too bad it has to use the outdated Java platform though.

And man, that is an old java version. 6 update 21, really? It's up to 7 u51 at the moment. This seems to be a 4 year old program. :huh:

Well, I failed right away on my old i7 920, as I did have a problem a few months back and lost my ability to keep it at my normal overclock. So when and if it works after I load defaults, maybe this will help me find out what is wrong with it.




Edit: Seems it fails right away if you have any overclock applied. Then you have to disable base clock test to be able to have it run with an overclock. Need to play with it more to find out what settings it needs to test the overclock, as it's not very clear off the top.

 

[Golden]

Yeah the overclock is puzzling...Paulpicks fails with his, but Essenbe passes with his. Perhaps something in the manual Aaron?

 

[Airbot]

The program itself says is doesn't support overclocking somewhere in the test results.

 

[Golden]

Yep I saw that. Thats the puzzle.

This from Steve's overclock:
Windows 7 Help Forums - essenbe's Album: Stuff - Picture

The red box in the tut is from Paul's overclock.

 

[paulpicks21]

I returned my system to default values with no overclock and it still fails.

It is failing on the "Base clock test" (See screenshot)

I think the information in my previous fail regarding an overclock is simply a warning message rather than a fail message. I also had the same Base clock test fail in the overclocked run.

 

[Golden]

Thanks for feedback Paul. If you think any info in there should be changed, please let me know

 

[paulpicks21]

I think it's all fine Colin.

I have just been doing a little research on base clock test fail.

From what I gather it's either the CPU or the Motherboard is not yet supported by the software tool.

So in my case there is actually nothing wrong with my CPU, it's just the diagnostic tool does not understand it properly.

 

[Golden]

Paul

 

[Britton30]

Jack, yeah this test runs on the Java runtime platform.

 

[Layback Bear]

When I tested things were set like this except the time was set at 15 min.
Step #4 with my 4.6 over clock.
I had to try it 3 time before it would complete.
It's a shame that Intel doesn't update this program and leave out Java.

 

[Garry06]

New Version available

Hi,
I came across your posts by chance. I am one of the developers of this tool. Great work on the tutorial.
Just to let you know Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool has been updated to versions 2.8.0.0 for 32bit and 2.10.0.0.MP for 64bit.
We used the Java Runtime in the previous Windows version so as to have one GUI version that ran on both Windows and Linux.
The new windows versions no longer require Java and have a brand new GUI. We hope you like the numerous improvements.

You can get the 32bit/64bit installer here.(We now use only one installer for both 32bit and 64bit, but have this in the previous locations to avoid breaking legacy locations for downloading).
32bit IPDT - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=19791
64bit IPDT - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=19792

 

[Brink]

Thank you Garry. I'll get the tutorial updated now.

 

[mjf]

I have been using an older version of the IPDT:
IPDT Installer 64Bit 1.29.0.0.MP-17-11.exe
No problems in either clocked or unclocked modes.

I tried the new version:
IPDT_Installer_2.8.0.0-1_x86_2.10.0.0.MP-1_x64.exe
Test passed ok but gave a warning-
Expected CPU freq - 3.40
Detected CPU freq - 5.40
This is for no overclocking, BIOS defaults, no power management.
(The MFLOP rating is the standard non overclocked rate)

The older IPDT tool gives -
Expected CPU freq - 3.40
Detected CPU freq - 3.45
and no warning.

My configuration:
i7 2600k
Asus P8Z68 Deluxe BIOS rev 0706.

Conclusion: The new IPDT appears to have a problem with my configuration.

 

[Layback Bear]

Welcome to our Forum Garry06.
If you look at my specs I have a new cpu and I like to never got it to work with my Asus motherboard so I will just sit back and watch before I jump in with testing.
I'm glad that Intel is giving us new tests to use on their products. For sure we don't want to have to use Java on anything including other programs that Intel offers now and in the future.
Java is just to much of a security risk.