What are the best system diagnostic tools for Windows?

Whether it is simply a matter of knowing a hardware configuration, detecting errors and breakdowns or observing the effectiveness ofoverclocking or undervolting, it is always interesting to exploit software of diagnostic computer science. In this selection, we choose to present a complete analysis software (HWiNFO) and other more specialized programs such as CPU-Z (processor), GPU-Z (graphics card) and CrystalDiskInfo.

HWiNFO – For accurate diagnosis of all computer components.

HWiNFO is the most complete diagnostic software of this selection. It displays information about all hardware components such as the motherboardthe processorthe random access memorythe Graphic cardports, network adapters, HDDsthe screens and the battery of the laptops. The data presented concern both the technical characteristics and the denominations and serial numbers.

By clicking on the « Sensors » button, HWiNFO displays in real time the information of the sensors equipment. The data is grouped by category:

• RAM: amount used and available, memory load virtual memory and paging file
• CPU: temperature, voltage, frequency and load of the different cores
• Hard disk: temperature, number of writes and reads, errors and percentage of duration remaining life
• GPU (graphics card): GPU temperature, voltage, frequency and load
• Network adapters (WirelessBluetooth, Ethernet, 3G/4G, etc.): total data exchanged and speed real-time global download

To facilitate the computer maintenance remotely, a user who has problems with his machine can use HWiNFO to automatically generate a complete report in the format HTMLTXT or XML. By sending it to a specialist, the latter will be able to analyze the document and identify if a hardware problem is detected.

Benefits of HWiNFO:

• The software is regularly updated to support recent hardware.
• In one windowit gathers all information about components and peripherals.
• Generates comprehensive and detailed reports on the entire system.
• Despite the wealth of content gathered, it consumes few resources.

Disadvantages of HWiNFO:

• It does not include benchmarking tools and is dedicated to monitoring sensors.
• Reports create blank areas at deselected items.
• By offering data on the entirecomputerHWiNFO is not always as detailed as programs dedicated to a particular component.

CPU-Z – To know everything about your processor and test its performance.

CPU-Z is a computer diagnostic software specializing in CPU. It indicates its name, its family, its TDP, the socket used, the fineness of engravingnumber of cores and threads, real-time voltage and frequency, and cache characteristics.

In other tabs, CPU-Z also retrieves some basic information about the motherboard, RAM and graphics card. From any tab, you can generate a report using the “Tools” button.

We particularly appreciate CPU-Z for its tool for benchmark (in the “Bench” tab). It allows to test CPU performance by running on single or multiple cores. You can then compare the results with other references known to the software. It even has a mode Stress CPU” which pushes the processor to its maximum capacity.

Advantages of CPU-Z:

• The software is regularly updated to support recent hardware.
• There are special versions of the software, tailor-made for the biggest brands of gaming pc.
• It allows benchmarking and stress testing of the processor and comparing it to other references.

Disadvantages of CPU-Z:

• The interface looks straight out of Windows 98.
• Very little information about the motherboard, RAM and graphics card.
• Gives no information about the CPU temperature.

GPU-Z — Learn all about its graphics card.

GPU-Z is computer diagnostic software that specializes in GPUs, whether it’s part of a CPU-integrated system or a dedicated graphics card. It indicates the brand, name, date of creation, fineness of engraving, BIOS version, bus interface, frequency, number of shaders, quantity and type of memory.

In the « Sensors » tab, GPU-Z displays data from certain sensors in real time. We find in particular the frequency and the temperature of the GPU, the amount of graphics memory and RAM used as well as the temperature of the CPU. To better visualize the evolutions over time, very basic graphs are drawn on the right of the window.

We only regret that GPU-Z does not offer, like CPU-Z for the processor, a tool to check the performance of the graphics card.

Advantages of GPU-Z:

• The software is regularly updated to support recent hardware.
• It gives complete and detailed information, both on the graphics chip integrated into the processor and on the dedicated graphics card.
• It gives real-time CPU and GPU temperature

Disadvantages of GPU-Z:

• The graphical representation of the sensors is not very readable.
• Only one special edition for PC gamer exists: it concerns the ASUS ROG
• It does not include any benchmark or comparison tool like CPU-Z does for the processor.

CrystalDiskInfo – For accurate hard drive data.

CrystalDiskInfo is a computer diagnostic software specialized in the Hard disk. Unlike previous programs, it does not display any data on other components and focuses on storage devices. It indicates the name, the capacity, the version of the firmwareserial number, interface, drive letters corresponding to the sheet music and therotation speed for mechanical hard drives.

CrystalDiskInfo allows you to know in real time the temperature of the disk and its state of health. It also offers statistics on the number of ignitions, the total operating time and the number of writes.

Although CrystalDiskInfo is available in French, it displays some very technical data that will only be understood by storage specialists.

Advantages of CrystalDiskInfo:

• It allows setting alerts to notify the user when the disk reaches a temperature limit.
• The interface is clear and offers all the information in a single page.
• It displays the serial number of the hard drive.

Disadvantages of CrystalDiskInfo:

• There is no explanation of the designations used. This software is dedicated to those who know the technical vocabulary of computer storage.
• No benchmarking tool or disc surface examination tool is present.
• For notifications to appear, the program must run automatically at system startup and remain minimized to the taskbar.