There are situations when you need to find out the exact model of a video card or any other component. Not all necessary information can be found in the device manager or on the hardware itself. In this case, come to the rescue special programs, which help not only to determine the model of components, but also to get a lot of additional useful information. In this article, we will consider several representatives of such software.

Both advanced users and beginners can use this program. It helps not only to get information about the state of the system and hardware, but also allows you to do some tuning and check the system with various tests.

Everest is distributed absolutely free of charge, does not take up much space on your hard drive, has a simple and intuitive interface. Get general information You can directly in one window, but more detailed data is in special sections and tabs.

AIDA32

This representative is one of the oldest and is considered the progenitor of Everest and AIDA64. The program has not been supported by developers for a long time, and updates are not released, but this does not prevent it from performing all its functions properly. With this utility, you can instantly get basic information about the state of your PC and its components.

More information is in separate windows, which are conveniently sorted and have their own icons. You don’t have to pay anything for the program, and there is also a Russian language, which is good news.

AIDA64

This popular program is designed to help in diagnosing components and conducting performance tests. It combines the best of Everest and AIDA32, improves and adds a few extra features that are not available in most other similar software.

Of course, you will have to pay a little for such a set of functions, but this will only need to be done once, there are no subscriptions for a year or a month. If you can’t decide on a purchase, then a free one is available on the official website trial version with a period of one month. For such a period of use, the user will definitely be able to draw a conclusion about the usefulness of the software.

HWMonitor

This utility does not have such a large set of functions as the previous representatives, but it has something unique in it. Its main task is not to show the user all the detailed information about his components, but to allow him to monitor the state and temperatures of the iron.

The voltage, loads and heating of a specific element is displayed. Everything is divided into segments to make it easier to navigate. The program can be downloaded absolutely free from the official website, but there is no Russian version, but even without it, everything is intuitive.

Speccy

Perhaps one of the most extensive programs presented in this article, in terms of its functionality. It combines a lot of diverse information and ergonomic placement of all elements. Separately, I would like to touch on the function of creating a system snapshot. Other software also has the ability to save test or monitoring results, but most often it is only in the TXT format.

All the features of Speccy simply cannot be listed, there are really a lot of them, it’s easier to download the program and view each tab yourself, we assure you that learning more and more new things about your system is a very interesting thing.

CPU-Z

CPU-Z is a narrowly focused software that is focused only on providing the user with data about the processor and its condition, conducting various tests with it and showing information about RAM. However, if you want to get just such information, then additional functions simply won't be needed.

The developers of the program are the company CPUID, whose representatives will be described in this article. CPU-Z is available for free and does not require a lot of resources and hard disk space.

GPU-Z

Using this program, the user will be able to obtain the most detailed information about the installed graphics adapters. The interface is designed as compactly as possible, but at the same time all the necessary data fit on one window.

GPU-Z is great for those who want to know everything about their graphics chip. Distributed by this software absolutely free and supports the Russian language, but not all parts are translated, but this is not a significant drawback.

System Spec

System Spec - developed by one person, freely distributed, but there have not been updates for quite some time. This program does not require installation after downloading to your computer, you can use it immediately after downloading. She provides a large number of useful information not only about the hardware, but also about the state of the system as a whole.

PC Wizard

Now this program is not supported by developers, respectively, and updates are not released. However, the latest version can be comfortably used. PC Wizard allows you to find out detailed information about components, track their status and conduct several performance tests.

The interface is quite simple and clear, and the presence of the Russian language helps to quickly understand all the functions of the program. You can download and use it absolutely free.

SiSoftware Sandra

SiSoftware Sandra is distributed for a fee, but for its money it provides the user with a wide range of functions and capabilities. What is unique about this program is that you can connect to a computer remotely, you just need to have access to do so. In addition, it is possible to connect to servers or just to a local computer.

This software allows you to monitor the state of the system as a whole, find out detailed information about the hardware. You can also find sections with installed programs, various files and drivers. All of this can be edited. Loading latest version in Russian is available on the official website.

BatteryInfoView

A narrowly focused utility, the purpose of which is to display data about the installed battery and monitor its condition. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know anything else, but she completely fulfills her task. Flexible configuration and a number of additional functionality are available.

All detailed information is opened with one click, and the Russian language allows you to master the work of the software even faster. You can download BatteryInfoView from the official website for free, there is also a crack with installation instructions.

This is not a complete list of all programs that provide information about PC components, however, during testing they showed themselves quite well, and even a few of them will be enough to get all possible detailed information not only about components, but also about operating system.

Everything is released every year. large quantity computer diagnostic software. But even more is the number of users who buy a PC and want to make sure that the components, painstakingly found on the dusty shelves of online store warehouses, fully satisfy all their requirements. It is no less difficult to do without programs of this kind in the daily operation of a computer. Many of them allow you to not only diagnose problems, but also keep your PC under control.

There are a number of programs, the possibilities of which are expanding from year to year, while the product for advanced user becomes more complex, and the price increases several times. There are also analogue programs that have a slightly less meager arsenal of features, but are worthless. We will get acquainted with the most polar representatives of both categories among users in this review.

AIDA64 is without exaggeration the most popular product for review and diagnostics personal computer generally. The program can provide the most complete information about any component of the working machine: components, programs, operating system, network connections and external devices. For many years of superiority in the market, it has acquired AIDA64 and a whole range of utilities for diagnosing the stability of the PC and testing its performance. Easy to learn thanks to a simple and friendly interface.

Everest was once a very popular computer hardware and software analyzer. It allows you to find out comprehensive information about the system, which would be very difficult to obtain otherwise. Developed by Lavalys, the program was a follower of AIDA32. In 2010, the rights to develop this product were purchased by another company. In the same year, the development of Everest itself was also discontinued, and AIDA64 was eventually introduced on its basis. But even after so many years, Everest is still relevant and loved by many users of the product.

SIW

System Info For Windows is a utility that provides the user with an easy-to-configure and operate tool that allows you to view detailed information on part of the PC hardware and hardware configuration, installed software, system components, and network elements. With its functionality, the SIW product competes closely with AIDA64. However, they also have differences. Although System Info For Windows cannot boast of such powerful PC diagnostic resources, it has a number of its own, no less useful tools.

System Explorer

The System Explorer utility is completely free and in its likeness is an analogue of the classic Windows task manager. It helps in real time to monitor the operation of the computer and manage its processes. An essential database is built into the utility, according to which you can check any of the processes running on the user's computer for the content of malicious information. The interface is correctly translated into Russian, divided into tabs, each of which is responsible for specific tasks. Understanding the operation of the System Explorer utility is not difficult even for an inexperienced user.

PC Wizard

PC Wizard is powerful program, which provides information about the job motherboard, processor, video card and a number of other computer components. A feature of this product from a number of similar ones is a number of tests that allow you to determine the performance and overall performance of the system. The interface of PC Wizard is minimalistic and it is very easy to understand how it works. The program is widely known among users due to its free distribution. And although the developer has stopped supporting it since 2014, even today it can be a good helper in assessing the potential of a PC.

SisSoftware Sandra

The SisSoftware Sandra program is a bunch of useful utilities who will assist in diagnosing the system, installed programs, codecs and drivers. Sandra also has the functionality of providing information about various components of the system. You can even perform diagnostic operations on devices remotely. Software in the presence of such a large functionality, it is completely easy to use, which was achieved thanks to the intuitive clear interface, as well as high-quality Russian translation. SisSoftware Sandra is distributed according to a paid model, but you can evaluate all its advantages during the trial period.

3DMark is owned by Futuremark, one of the major players in the test suite market. They are not only visually very attractive and varied, but also always give a stable, repeatable result. The company's close cooperation with world manufacturers of processors and graphic cards allows us to competently improve our product. The tests included in the 3DMark package are used both to test the strength of weak machines, like laptops, and for the most advanced and powerful PCs. There are a number of tests for mobile platforms, for example, Android and iOS, which allows you to compare the real graphic or computing power any smartphone.

No matter how powerful and perfect the components are modern computers, their owners are still trying to improve, strengthen or overclock something. A good assistant to them in this will be the SpeedFan program, which, in addition to providing information on the account of the entire system, will also allow you to edit some characteristics. Skillfully using this product, you can optimally adjust the operation of coolers if they do not cope with their task of cooling the processor and motherboard, or vice versa, they start to work actively when the temperature of the components is still in the optimal state. Only experienced users will be able to fully work with the program.

OCCT

Even an experienced Windows user may sooner or later encounter an unforeseen problem that causes a computer to malfunction. The cause of the problem may be overheating, overloading or a mismatch of components with each other. To identify them, you need to use a specialized software. It is to the category of such products that OCCT is referred. Thanks to a series of tests of PC components, the program can detect sources of malfunctions or prevent their occurrence. There are also real-time system monitoring capabilities. The interface is non-standard, but convenient, besides Russified.

S&M

Small and complete free program from a domestic developer is a set of tests for loading computer components. The ability to monitor the testing process allows you to track in real time possible problems in terms of overheating or insufficient power of the power supply, as well as to determine the overall performance of the processor, RAM and speed hard drives. Simple program interface and detailed description test settings will allow even a beginner to test the PC for strength.

In order for the computer to function reliably and smoothly, it is necessary to diagnose all possible failures and malfunctions in its operation in time. The programs presented in the review can help with this. It is difficult to choose one product for yourself, even one that tries to be as versatile as possible. Each tool has both its advantages and disadvantages, but they all cope equally well with their priority tasks.

The need for performance testing computer component occurs infrequently. Provided, of course, that you are not doing it professionally. And yet, no, no, and there is a need to check how fast the new one is, to measure with other owners of similar configurations "parrots" shown by a freshly installed video card, to be proud of the speed of the processor latest generation. We will talk about what utilities for testing the speed of a computer may be needed.

Why testing is needed

I have already named one of the reasons - to check how much faster the system works with new components, for example, after an upgrade. Or just a device fell into your hands, and you are not averse to running benchmarks on it. But sports interest is only one side of the issue.

Such testing allows, among other things, to seriously load the system, both as a whole and its individual components. This can be useful in identifying the source of problems if the computer has a tendency to random freezes, reboots, crashes into " blue screen”, etc. This is not just a performance test, but also a stability test.

It can also help to choose the optimal driver, which achieves maximum performance testing to make sure the cooling system is doing its job. For example, when replacing a processor with a newer and possibly hotter one, the old cooler may no longer be able to cope with the increased load. Of course, the processor will not burn out, but it can start to slow down. And why is this needed, was an upgrade started for this?

In general, such a check is useful in different situations. And in order to carry it out, you need the right tools. AT this case- specialized utilities and software packages. Next, I will indicate a list of popular and frequently used tools. The list, of course, does not claim to be complete, and if I missed something interesting, write in the comments. We will collect the optimal set of programs, make such a “gentleman's” set of needs for checking computer hardware.

Test procedure

Just a few words about how to test a computer. This is not a revelation, but still I remind you.

First, you need to update your device drivers (if any). It is highly desirable to take them (drivers) on the websites of equipment manufacturers. Personally, I am not a supporter of using various programs with driver sets or automatically monitoring and updating them. Nevertheless, the process of what is installed there on your computer should be controlled independently.

Secondly. The correct power plan should be set in the system in order to exclude the stop of certain devices, as well as to exclude any restrictions in the parameters of the processor, etc.

Thirdly. Turn off all programs running in the background so that nothing interferes with the tests. Naturally, you should not use the computer while the verification process is in progress.

Perhaps that's all. Well, also be patient and prepare for the fact that you have to spend some time on all these events.

System check

PC Mark 10

One of the most popular packages for checking the system as a whole. The program is paid. The basic free configuration has limitations and can only perform general testing. The extended version costs $29.99. At the end of the tests, a certain numerical result is displayed, which can be compared with other systems, the test results are available on the network.

Link to the program.

PassMark PerformanceTest 9.0

Another set of tests to evaluate system performance. Initially, 32 standard tests are available, divided into 5 groups, as well as 8 custom tests. The results can also be compared with others online.

The program is paid, but there is a 30-day trial period for free use.

Link to the program.

Processor check

superpi

small free utility, which calculates the number Pi up to a certain decimal place. The program has not been updated for a long time, but it is quite suitable for testing the speed of work, although there is a limitation - the calculation is performed in one thread, i.e., at best, one processor core is loaded.

Link to the program.

wPrime

A program similar to the previous one that calculates the number Pi up to a certain decimal place, but, unlike it, it works in multi-threaded mode, which allows loading all processor cores. The program is also free.

Link to the program.

Cinebench

A very popular processor test, good, in particular, because it simulates the execution of a certain real work, since a 3D scene is being rendered. The program is free and works on both Windows and iOS.

Link to the program.

Geekbench

Cross-platform benchmark for testing the processor and memory. It is possible to publish your results or compare them online with existing ones. The program is paid, but there is a free trial period.

Link to the program.

Checking video cards

3D mark

One of the most famous test packages for testing video cards. Although the program is paid, there is a free trial period. Based on the results of the test, a certain value is displayed that reflects the performance.

Unigine Heaven

Free GPU testing software. Scenes are rendered in real time, which allows you to evaluate performance. There are several tests.

Download program.

Game tests

This is not the name of the test package. The best test for the video card are the games themselves, and some of them have a built-in benchmark, for example, Hitman, Metro 2033 and a number of others.

Memory testing

AIDA64

In reality, this is a whole package of utilities for testing computer components, as well as displaying detailed information about it. A memory test is one of the features of this program. Versions available for Windows, iOS, Ubuntu, Android, Windows phone. AIDA64 is paid, but there is a free period of use.

Download program.

Memtest86+

Quite an old program, but still relevant. Unlike others, it allows you to create a bootable CD or flash drive and run the test without booting the OS. This program is useful when there is a suspicion that it is RAM it works incorrectly. If there are several RAM sticks installed in the system, then it is best to test them one at a time.

Download program.

Drive testing

Crystal Disk Benchmark

A free utility that allows you to evaluate the performance of your drive. Can be used with both hard drives and SSDs.

Download program.

Anvil's Storage Utilities

A program for comprehensive testing of drives. Several tests are run in different modes. The results are shown both in MB / s, IOPS, and in some points issued to the device under test. Allows you to compare the performance of different drives under different loads.