While diagnostic applications may not be the most thrilling software on your computer, they serve an essential role in maintaining system health. From addressing sluggish performance to maximizing hardware efficiency, having a robust set of diagnostic tools at your disposal is crucial for any PC user.
Diagnostic tools come in various forms: some offer a broad overview of your system, while others are specialized. Utilizing a variety of these applications ensures that you’re equipped to handle any situation that may arise with your computer.
HWiNFO
An In-Depth Overview
HWiNFO stands out for its extensive detail, which can initially feel overwhelming. As a professional-grade tool reputedly used by organizations like NASA, it serves as a comprehensive diagnostic solution for monitoring your system’s performance.
Begin by checking the Summary view, which highlights critical information about your CPU, motherboard, GPU, and other essential components. Here, you can quickly see clock speeds, memory capacity, and more, making it a convenient starting point for diagnostics.
If you need deeper insights, navigate to the app’s main page, featuring tabs that dissect every component of your hardware. Here, you can explore your CPU’s features, motherboard slot configurations, BIOS version, memory specifications, monitor capabilities, and much more.
This information is invaluable for ensuring your computer detects all components accurately, considering hardware upgrades, or troubleshooting existing issues. You can easily save reports for future reference or to share with others using the Save Report feature.
Sensors and Configurations
One of my favorite features of HWiNFO is the Sensors tab, particularly for monitoring my PC’s thermal performance.
This section provides access to an array of metrics—ranging from virtual memory usage to CPU load, system temperatures, and network activity. You can customize the view by hiding unimportant sensors or expanding it to show multiple columns. Keeping this panel open while gaming or performing resource-intensive tasks allows you to monitor real-time performance and system responses.
The Settings menu found within the Sensors tab also aligns with the Main Settings for HWiNFO, offering extensive configuration options. Take your time exploring various settings, such as customizing the Tray Icon to display your CPU’s average temperature, providing quick access to critical data.
CrystalDiskInfo
Monitor Storage Drive Health
Shifting gears from a comprehensive tool to a focused one, CrystalDiskInfo specializes in providing critical information about your storage devices.
For every drive in your system, this application displays key details such as the serial number, Windows drive letter, connection type, and various drive features. Notably, it tracks the total data read and written to each disk, along with the number of times each drive has been powered on.
Two critical indicators to observe are the Health Status and Temperature, located prominently at the interface’s top. Using SMART technology, the health assessment indicates how your SSD is performing and its degradation over time, helping you make informed decisions about replacements or upgrades.
For more granular data analysis, explore the detailed list under the main stats. You can change the default hexadecimal display to decimal by navigating through Function > Advanced Feature > Raw Values and selecting 10 [DEC]. Use this to check statistics like Unsafe Shutdowns, which could reveal potential reliability issues.
While manufacturers often provide their own diagnostic tools, CrystalDiskInfo is a reliable, all-in-one option that centralizes necessary data about your storage health. Make sure to download the Standard version, as other themed versions may not be as practical.
Memtest86+
Diagnose Memory Issues
Potential RAM issues can derail system performance, making the Memtest86+ tool invaluable for diagnosing memory-related problems. It offers a level of thoroughness that often surpasses the built-in Windows memory diagnostic.
Due to RAM’s architecture, running this test requires booting from a USB drive rather than executing it within the Windows environment. The official Memtest86+ website provides comprehensive instructions on creating a bootable USB. Restart your PC and boot from this drive to commence testing.
It’s essential to note that Memtest86+ is distinct from MemTest86, which necessitates a paid version to access its full suite of features.
TreeSize
Optimize Large Folders
While not a diagnostic tool in the traditional sense, TreeSize proves beneficial for monitoring disk usage and maintaining storage health. When your available space runs low, this utility quickly identifies large files and folders, allowing you to take swift action.
Whether it’s outdated games, temporary files, or large downloads, TreeSize accurately highlights these items, eliminating the need for tedious manual searches through directories to find oversized files.
Don’t Overlook Built-In Utilities
Equipping yourself with third-party diagnostic tools significantly enhances your understanding of your computer’s inner workings, enabling you to catch issues early and recognize performance trends. However, the built-in tools of Windows shouldn’t be neglected either.
Valuable utilities like Performance Monitor, Disk Management, and Resource Monitor come pre-installed with Windows and can be incredibly useful. Familiarizing yourself with these resources can help you identify what “normal”looks like, making it easier to detect when something goes awry.
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