FurMark is a GPU stress test often discussed on the Internet and enjoys a high reputation among enthusiasts. However, if this is your first attempt to use GPU stress testing, you may be worried about using it. Use FurMark to test whether your GPU is safe? Overall, we found FurMark safe to use, despite pushing your GPU to its maximum performance. This article will tell you everything you are required to know about FurMark and whether you should consider using it.
FurMark is a GPU-intensive stress test based on OpenGL. FurMark will push your GPU to the limit to test its stability. FurMark has been around for several years and has long been a GPU stress test for enthusiasts. Even though it has been well known for a long time, it will continue to be updated for the latest GPUs, making it helpful today. It is not only simple to utilize but also completely free and available for download online.
FurMark uses skin rendering algorithms specifically designed to monitor your GPU to gauge graphics card performance. GPU stress tests (including FurMark) are made to fully utilize the GPU’s processing power and reach the absolute limit of power consumption. It means that the temperature and cooling will be as high as possible.
Why use FurMark?
In practical applications like games, your GPU will never hit the absolute limit. It means that you will never really know the true capabilities of your graphics card. But FurMark is an experimental setup designed to crash or overheat your system to find your GPU threshold.
Sound dangerous? Do not. If it’s safe to perform, it’s best to stress test your GPU so you can understand its overclocking capabilities in a controlled test configuration, rather than trying to find it in actual use. If you are an overclocking enthusiast, FurMark is an ideal tool to find a stable overclocking so that your system does not crash or overheat when using demanding programs or games.
Another reason to use FurMark is that if you experience lag while gaming and need to troubleshoot, FurMark will identify any errors that your GPU may be causing. Whether you want to determine how the GPU performs in terms of temperature and clock monitoring, or you want to know how far you can safely overclock the GPU, running FurMark will let you know precisely how the GPU is performing.
What is the version FurMark ROG?
Republic of Gamers or ROG is an organization. ASUS engineers and designers founded it. The company produces all kinds of gaming equipment, from laptops to graphics cards and even keyboards, mice, and controllers. Geeks3D developed a particular version of the FurMark GPU stress test for ASUS, which resulted in the FurMark ROG version. The
FurMark ROG version is based on FurMark’s OpenGL/Vulkan benchmark test.
Like FurMark, it is entirely free and can be downloaded on the Geeks3D website. If you are using an Asus or ROG device, the ROG version of FurMark may be an excellent alternative for you to test your graphics card.
Is it safe to use Furmark?
There are many arguments against the utilization of FurMark. Some of which even state that FurMark is not safe to use. Before using FurMark, it is essential to understand the reasons for using it and understand the possible risks of not accidentally damaging something in the process.
The main danger of using FurMark is that it can overheat your GPU to a high enough temperature to cause damage. It can happen if you use unsafe overclocking settings, use outdated GPUs, or have insufficient cooling systems. However, if you have a reasonable overclocking setting and use a newer graphics card, there is no need to worry. More recent graphics cards can automatically reduce the frequency when they detect that the temperature is high enough to cause damage.
Some people also argue that because FurMark pushes its GPU to the absolute limit, it cannot accurately reflect daily use. Even complex games and programs won’t bring your GPU to the FurMark level, which has led some people to wonder if putting their graphics card under such pressure is worth the risk. If you utilize FurMark repeatedly or run it for too long, it can cause stress and wear out its components. However, if you use it as a temporary diagnosis, it is unlikely to cause significant wear and tear.
It is significant to remember that GPU stress tests aim to discover the limits of GPU stability. By testing a GPU beyond what you usually need, you will ensure that it can handle anything you encounter in your day-to-day operations. If you have enough heat dissipation and reasonable overclocking settings, FurMark is unlikely to cause any real damage.
But, it is yet a good idea to monitor the temperature during operation. If you see the temperature rise to an uncomfortable number, you can turn it off at any time.
How to download and run Furmark?
Download FurMark is relatively simple and the best to use, free for everyone. To download it, go to https://geeks3d.com/furmark/downloads/. On this page, you should see a big green button that says “Download.” Just click this button and save the configuration file locally. Now, choose the file you just downloaded and followed the instructions to install it.
The first screen asks you to accept the license agreement. Select “I accept the agreement” and click the “Next” button. The next screen asks you to select the installation destination and allows you to change the default destination. Finally, the following screens will enable you to create start menu folders and desktop shortcuts for FurMark as needed, depending on you and your preferences. After that, you can continue by selecting the “Install” button.
Post the completion of installation, and you can start FurMark directly. The FurMark interface is minimal, with two sides: the left side and the right side. On the left, you will see the entire screen, resolution, and anti-aliasing options. Unless you have multiple graphics cards, don’t check the full-screen box. The resolution should match the resolution of your monitor. Unless you want to adjust the test pressure, you do not need to change the smoothing preset.
In Antialiasing, you will see GPUZ and GPU Shark; you can use these two tools to monitor your GPU during benchmarks. These will show temperature, load, power consumption, and many other useful statistics. It is a great idea to run them during the test to monitor what is happening. On the right side is the “GPU Stress Test” button. Before pressing the button, you need to complete two small steps.
First, if you are testing overclocking, please set your preferred overclocking. However, if you are trying the performance and stability of the GPU, you can skip this step. The second step is everyone’s foundation; before starting the stress test, you should close all unnecessary programs, especially tasks that increase GPU usages, such as Netflix or YouTube. It is essential to avoid any video consumption when performing stress testing to prevent the risk of mixed results or even failure.
Now that you have installed FurMark and completed the configuration steps, you can continue and select “GPU Stress Test” to start the test. We suggest running the test for 20 to 30 minutes. Running FurMark for more than half an hour will put excessive pressure on the GPU and cause damage.
What to look for in Furmark?
After using FurMark, you should check the data it generates to understand how your GPU is performing. It should generate a GPU temperature graph showing the progress temperature while the test is running. It can tell you how effective the cooling system is and whether your system has any problems that need to be resolved. You can also examine your outcomes with the results of other users to understand how you performed.
What happens if FurMark crashes?
You may have used too aggressive overclocking on the GPU. In this case, you should check your overclocking settings and consider lowering them to ensure regular daily use.
If you are not overclocking, you may need to upgrade the cooling system of your graphics card. Initially, check your fan to ensure it is free of dust. In many cases, the temperature can be lowered by simple cooling. If it is clean but still does not cool properly, it may be time to invest in a new cooler.
If FurMark does not crash on your device and your temperature remains stable, congratulations, your GPU has the best performance, and it should be able to handle almost any program.