Intel processor diagnostic tool: is it worth it?

There are many programs that circulate on the Internet that carry out similar actions or evaluations, but as it always happens in big brands, the most reliable tool will almost always be the one that comes from the manufacturer itself, without a doubt it is the one that best knows its products and how to treat them..

Why a CPU can break

Well, the truth is that there are not too many reasons why a CPU can break and, in addition, practically all the reasons will lead to a single solution: that of changing the CPU for a new one.

The processor is basically the heart of the computer, a microchip with devilishly complex integrated circuits made up of millions of transistors through which current is passed to one in the form of ones and zeros (voltage / non-voltage) millions of times per second. The CPU is responsible for processing all operating system instructions, programs, and components. The results you get are what we see on screen.

At first glance this small chip seems very sensitive and fragile, but it is not so much, in fact, it supports temperatures of up to 100 ^o C in the most current models. It is also capable of withstanding static electricity discharges thanks to a passive protection system that it incorporates, and even surges with a system of shutdown or protection of the motherboard itself.

Whoever says that this element is broken just by touching it, is far from reality, although of course there are always specific cases in which this has been the case due to bad luck. Here are the reasons why a CPU may break:

A knock on the ground An electric shock higher than static electricity Its continued use at high temperatures close to the maximum bearable Short circuit in the socket contacts or overvoltage due to a faulty board Install it in an incompatible socket

The truth is that there is not much else either, almost all are physical events that can happen throughout life.

What is the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool and what is it for?

If it is only physical causes that break a CPU, why do we want a diagnostic tool?

Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool, which is what it is actually called, is a diagnostic tool for Intel processors. This consists of verifying its correct operation with a process in which it checks the make, model and technical characteristics of the CPU and performs a series of stress tests on the processor to see if any problem arises in the integrity of the cores.

What this tool is really doing is a kind of benchmark to the CPU through various tests including:

Verify the originality of the product (to my knowledge there are no imitation XD CPUs). Checks Brand String or word string, which basically what it does is compare the string of the CPU configuration file to see if they match the reference (microcode). You test the L1, L2, and L3 cache for both speed, load, and the correct amount of memory. Verification of the MMX / SSE instruction set Verify the correct operation of the integrated memory controller (IMC). Prime number test, which measures how fast the CPU searches for a random prime number Floating point operations and mathematical operations to check the ALU (arithmetic-logic unit. CPU stress test to check temperatures and Throttling. Load and frequency tests of the cores Verification of the PCH (Platform Controller Hub) which is a data controller to communicate with elements such as the system clock, flexible display interface (FDI), integrated graphics (DMI) and other input / output functions. SPBC (Sample Production Bit Checker) test, which checks whether it is a sample or production processor. Test for the internal graphics module with 2D and 3D color patterns and the correct operation of this, (provided that is running).

As we can see, it does a lot of things in just a few seconds, something that not all programs are capable of doing. In fact, the most normal thing is that with a different one, we can only do a stress test by sending a large volume of processes to the CPU, but no advanced checks like this one.

What can this program detect?

Well, judging by this test run, we could detect many things that are wrong with our CPU. For example, by checking the memory controller we could buy if the communication is successful and if the controller is damaged. Similarly, by doing the stress test and the ALU we could verify that the operating temperatures are correct and the system or cores are working correctly.

We could also buy the one which integrated graphics and instruction set are compatible with OS and motherboard. in fact, many of these checks are to detect possible compatibility problems between the hardware of our equipment.

Where to download and how to install the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool

We have already seen more or less what this tool can do for musts, now it is time to know where it is available.

Well, it will be as easy as telling us on the official Intel website, and it will be located in the Download Center. If not, click on the previous link and you would be there.

The installation is very simple, we will only have to double-click the tool and follow the process by clicking on " Intall ". We can customize the installation path by clicking on " Options ".

During the process, another window will open where again we will have to click on “ Install ” and the process will conclude.

How to use the tool

After running the diagnostic tool, we will have to accept the license terms, and automatically the verification and diagnosis process will begin. So be simple, we will only have to wait a few minutes without doing anything for it to end.

On the right side, all the tests to be performed will be represented, " pass " will mean that we have passed and " fail " because something is wrong. That will be the moment when we will have to go to the Intel page and raise the problem in its forum. Of course they will know what to do or what is causing the problem.

During the process, we have taken the opportunity to start the Windows Task Manager, since on the left side we are given a direct link to this tool to verify the process and kernel load.

If in this same part we go to the " CPU Features " section we can see the set of instructions that our CPU supports. This will be useful for the most knowledgeable of the subject, as programmers who have very specific purposes.

Another interesting possibility is to click on the link of the name of our CPU to go directly to the Intel specifications page (ark.intel.com) to find out more about our CPU.

Let's now superficially look at the toolbar of this software, which also does not have too many secrets. The first section will simply be to store the results in a text file.

In the second is where we will have more available options, which basically is to activate or deactivate different test options. Although we can also verify the warranty of the CPU, turn off the system, check for updates, or open the task manager. In this section, we see the option of " Looping " which basically activates the possibility of performing the test recursively.

The third section only serves to show or not the right results panel, and the last one to know the details of the program.

Conclusion about the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool

Well, we have already given a good overview of this tool, it is the task of each one to explore their options in more detail, although there is not much more than what has been discussed.

For our part, we see that it is a very interesting application for those who want to test the operation of a CPU and perform a small stress test. It will be recommended if we find strangely slow performance on our PC and we don't know why. At least with this tool we will be able to know if our CPU is in perfect shape.

Now we leave you with some extra tutorials

We hope this article has been useful to you, at least to learn about the existence of this tool. For any issues please write us in the comment box or hardware forum. Have you done the test and you have missed an error?