Thermal Throttle Test Shader
Five minutes of sustained load. The verdict compares the start and end of the run to expose thermal or power throttling.
Thermal Throttle Test
This canvas shows the animated graphics workload used to stress the GPU. It is decorative; results are listed in the metrics below.
- FPS
- –
- 1% LOW
- –
- FRAME TIME
- –
- SCORE
- –
- TIME
- 0:00
- LOAD
- –
- ERRORS
- 0
Before you start
GPU stress tests can significantly increase GPU load, temperature, power draw and fan speed.
Stop the test if your system becomes unstable, overheats, crashes or behaves unexpectedly. Do not run extreme tests on hardware with known cooling problems. This website cannot guarantee hardware safety.
This is a deliberately punishing test. It can push your GPU to its thermal and power limits for minutes.
- Laptops: plug in the charger and make sure the vents are clear.
- Make sure your GPU is cooled properly. Do not run this with known fan or cooling problems.
- Save your work and close other important tabs. A weak or overheated GPU can make the screen flicker or the graphics driver reset, which may close apps.
- You can stop at any time with the Stop button or the Escape key. The test also stops itself if frames take more than two seconds.
Long run: this test keeps the GPU busy for five minutes or more, so your computer will get warm. Laptops should be plugged in. You can stop at any time with the Stop button.
Five minutes of sustained load. The verdict compares the start and end of the run to expose thermal or power throttling.
About this test
Five minutes of sustained load using the raymarching scene. The verdict compares the start of the run with the end, which is how thermal or power throttling shows up: a GPU that starts fast and then slows down as it heats.
It cannot read temperature or clock speed, so it shows the effect (slower frames), not the cause. Pair it with a monitoring tool if you want the numbers.
How to read the results
Look at the Endurance axis and the performance-over-time chart. A drop of more than about 20% suggests throttling. A small early dip then a flat line is normal. Check Pacing and Spike control too: heat can cause stutter before it lowers the average. The tier describes this run, not the GPU in general.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I run it?
The full five minutes. Shorter runs can miss the point where the cooling system saturates.
What counts as throttling?
A sustained drop of roughly 20% or more between the early and late part of the run, with no change in what the test was doing.
How can I fix throttling?
Clean dust from vents and fans, improve airflow, plug in a laptop, use a balanced or high-performance power mode and check for a poor thermal paste or a failing fan.
Why did the test not show any problem on my overheating PC?
The load may not reach the same power draw as your heaviest game. Try the Torture Test, and use a monitoring tool to see temperatures.
Is it safe on a laptop?
Yes, if the vents are clear and it is on a hard surface. Stop it if the fans scream or the case becomes too hot to touch.
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