FurMark

Running a benchmark test is a good way of knowing what a GPU is capable of, but if you want to know its limits, FurMark can help you. This utility is designed to stress test a graphics card's processor, so it can give you reliable results as well as basic idea regarding the GPU's stability. It looks and feels like a simple and lightweight application on the surface, but the software is capable of performing thorough and intensive tests on your GPU.

FurMark comes in free and premium editions, for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 and it provides full support for both 32 and 64-bit versions. The software can be installed quickly, without any difficulties and you don't have to meet any special requirements.

When launched, FurMark will greet you with a compact user interface, with options for performing a series of predefined benchmark and burn-in tests. Also, the software allows you to customize your own test, with a resolution and anti-aliasing level of your choice. Additional options and information can be found on different windows.

Regardless of which preset you choose or what settings you make, FurMark will test your GPU by rendering fur on a moving circle, as its name suggests. In terms of required video memory, fur is among the most demanding elements. In other words, your GPU will be put to a serious test, especially if you set a high resolution, with high anti-aliasing and burn-in enabled.

Unless you have a good reason to test the limits of your video card, you should think twice before carrying out a burn-in test, because it will put some serious strain on the GPU. As a result, its core temperature will raise above recommended levels. Fortunately, the software comes with built-in temperature monitors and you can set it to warn you if the temperature exceeds a certain threshold.