Novabench vs Prime95
Novabench
novabench.comPrime95
mersenne.orgSide by side
| Figure | Novabench | Prime95 |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $3/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Spec score · PC stress testing tools | 8.4 (#5) | 7.7 (#10) |
| Privacy | Novabench says it limits the data it collects, and Free testing does not require an account. | GIMPS says it will not sell, distribute, or release participants’ email addresses or other supplied information except where required by law. |
| Stress testing | Free includes CPU, GPU, and VRAM stress tests, while Pro adds parallel stress testing. | Prime95 runs a heavy, consistent workload across CPU cores to test CPU and L1/L2/L3 cache stability. |
| Support | Support is available through documentation, support chat, and [email protected]. | The download page directs users to the Mersenne Forum for help and lists email contacts for networking/server issues and other software questions. |
Plans
In their own words
Prime95
Prime95 is free Mersenne-prime search software for people who want to contribute computing work to GIMPS. It can also put a sustained workload across CPU cores to check processor and L1, L2, and L3 cache stability. For project tasks, Prime95 contacts PrimeNet for work; users can monitor computer progress and manage assignments remotely through the account’s CPUs page. Listed work includes PRP and Lucas-Lehmer tests, P-1 and ECM factoring, and trial factoring. Downloads include Windows, Linux, Mac OS X command-line, and FreeBSD builds. Administrators can choose a GUI-less Windows service build, which is intended for Windows Server experts. The source archive covers Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, and Mac OS X, though the code is described as non-portable. Version 30.3 introduced a dialog for limiting resource use. GIMPS participation is free and open internationally. The license permits indefinite free use on computers users own or are authorized to use, and provides the software as-is without warranty.