kougar
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Due to requests I've decided to post a much updated go-to software list for those looking for a one-stop shop for software tools & a few common programs. Everything posted is either free or allows base functionality for free use. The focus of this list will be on system maintenance, overclocking, and monitoring. Thanks goes to hellsteel for the original sticky thread! ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Cleaning- CCleaner - I personally do not recommend registry cleaning, but it has some other great tools (history + cookie cleaning. Can also clean multiple temp folders and delete various Windows caches if one corrupts, etc)
- Driver Fusion - Uninstalls all the major types of drivers including any left behind driver files. Doesn't matter if they are not listed under Add/Remove programs, this utility can still find them.
System Info - CPU-Z - Full processor & system frequency monitor, good for checking uncore, RAM, and realtime CPU clockspeed, vcore, and other system bus speeds.
- GPU-Z - Full GPU info & monitoring software, with temp, power, and load stats
- HWMonitor - Another full system monitor, includes system voltage and CPU/GPU active power estimates, fans, etc.
Overclocking & Monitoring- EVGA OC Scanner - EVGA GPU stability checker, offers various GPU loads with artifact scanning.
- EVGA Precision X - EVGA GPU overclocking program, offers profiles, power targets, and fan control.
- EVGA ELEET - EVGA's Motherboard tuning program
- CoreTemp - CPU temperature monitoring, reports max throttling temperature and if throttling is present. Also shows reported realtime CPU power consumption.
- RealTemp - CPU temp monitoring, same as Coretemp but lacks the active power reading
- Prime95 AVX2 - Updated May 2014, version 28.5 of Prime95 uses AVX2 loads. Good for CPU and RAM stress testing and max load generation on Haswell and newer CPUs.
- LinX - CPU Linpack based stress testing & error checking
- OCCT - Combination GPU/CPU/PSU testing program that can fully load an entire system, also provides error checking.
- Memtest86+ - Bootable program that checks system RAM for errors. Offered in a CD image and a USB flash drive self-installer that automatically creates a bootable USB flash drive
Disk Utilities- Macrium Reflect - Excellent disk Backups and free drive/partition cloning. Can also mount images.
- HD Tune - Disk information, benchmarking, and monitoring software (free version only tests reads, not good for SSDs)
- CrystalDiskMark - Fast disk information & benchmark
- ATTO - Good visual disk benchmark, also good for SSDs
- AS SSD - Excellent SSD specific benchmarking utility, also bypasses Windows caching
BenchmarksFPS Monitoring (On Screen Display) - FRAPS - Screen recording & FPS display
- (Others: Precision X, MSI Afterburner, and NVIDIA's Shadowplay also offer OSD FPS + temp functionality)
Distributed Computing- Folding@home v7 client - Configurable CPU/GPU folding installer. Join the EVGA folding team to fold for a good cause and even earn monthly EVGA bucks!
- Rosetta@home - Another excellent protein-folding project that focuses on disease research for a good cause!
- BOINC - The BOINC site for finding many other scientific distributed computing projects!
Anti-spyware/adware/virus Removal- Ad-Aware - The free version detects spyware, malware, and adware. Now comes bundled with anti-virus scanning
- HijackThis - Advanced utility for manual anti-malware checking and removal.
- Spybot-Search & Destroy - Oldie but goodie, anti-malware and tracking cookie scanning. Ver 1.6 is anti-malware only, ver 2.4 now has a bundled anti-virus scanning (seems to be the trend)
- Malwarebytes - An excellent free malware detection tool
- SpywareBlaster - A preventative tool designed to stop infections before they even occur. It updates all system browser blacklists with known malware and tracking cookies
Extra Utilities- Windows 7 Tweaker - Highly rated small utility for fast, simple Windows 7 and Vista setting customization (What TweakUI was to XP)
- Windows 8 Tweaker - The Win 8 version, small utility for quick Win 8 setting changes
- SpaceSniffer - Free utility that graphically illustrates what is taking up all your disk space! Shows results by folder so even folders with tons of small files can be identified.
Misc Programs- FileZilla - Powerful free FTP program
- VLC - Free video player, can play almost any audio or video file.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of these companies and assume no responsibility for the use or misuse of the software provided. Always be cautious when using system utilities and overclocking hardware. If unsure make a thread for advice in the appropriate forum! Note: If there are any suggestions on more to add feel free to mention them and I will attempt to regularly update it. Suggestions must be freeware with the core functionality intact and free to use, trials do not count! (If an already listed program no longer meets this requirement please let me know)
post edited by kougar - 2014/08/17 23:22:25
 Have water, will cool.
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