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:
For 64-bit versions of Windows:
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.
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.
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:
Code:
Temperature Test Passed!!!
Temperature = 34 degrees C below maximum.
Under load:
Code:
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
Regards,
Golden
Note
Thanks to
Paul and
Steve for testing the tutorial and supplying useful feedback and images to use here