SpeedFan hardware monitor, updated to v4.41

SpeedFan 4.41 (Windows, Freeware) is a program that monitors voltages, fan speeds and temperatures in computers with hardware monitor chips. SpeedFan can even access S.M.A.R.T. info and show hard disk temperatures.

Changes:

• added full support for Intel 5 Series/3400 Series SMBus
• added full support for Intel QST 2.x
• added full support for fan control for Intel QST
• added full support for Fintek F71889F
• added full support for Fintek F71889ED
• added full support for SB8x0 SMBus
• added full support for Nuvoton W83677HG-I
• added full support for Nuvoton W83667HG-B
• added SB7xx/8xx PM2 fan speed readings and fan control
• added full support for MCP98242
• added full support for CAT34TS02
• added support for ITE IT8721F
• added support for USB hard disk enclosures with Cypress chipset
• added W83791D advanced settings for PWM MODEs
• improved ADT7490 PWM MODE advanced settings
• added ADVANCED options for Fintek F75387 PWM MODEs
• fixed Fintek F75387F PWM setting
• enabled SMBus on Intel ICH9-M, if needed
• added detection of LIS331DL
• added Intel QST 2.x advanced option to revert back to AUTO fan control
• upon resume from suspend only those fans that are automatically variated are initially set to 100%
• identified more CPUs
• Intel Atom Series 300 Tjmax set to 90C
• HECI support works only on Windows 2000 and later
• AMCC/3ware support works only on Windows 2000 and later
• added more names for SMART attributes
• added a new option to CONFIGURE / OPTIONS to disable SMART Summary Error Log on program start (this can dramatically improve SpeedFan startup time)
• the UI is now updated whenever new SMART data is read from the selected hard disk
• now, in CONFIGURE / EVENTS, when you press UPDATE to change some event, the editing fields are automatically cleared and the OK button is automatically enabled
• restored access to SMART attributes on AdvSmart, Areca and AMCC/3ware connected drives in Event configuration window
• events can now react to FITNESS and PERFORMANCE values of SMART hard disks
• added NOADVSMARTSCAN command line switch
• the first line of the email sent by an EVENT now has been changed to include the Machine Name

SpeedFan is a neat tool for finding out the current condition of your computer at a glance.

SpeedFan [alt DL]

Dead Pixel Tester 3.00 – Inspect Your Display of Stuck Pixels

Dead Pixel Tester 3.00 (Windows, Freeware, 272KB) [alt DL] is a utility that lets you inspect your TFT display of problem pixels, both stuck on (“bright” defect) or off (“dark” defect).

This would be very useful to bring along when shopping for a new LCD display, or even a laptop.

IceRocket Tags: dead, pixel, test, stuck, windows freeware

GPU-Z 0.3.8 – Get Detailed Info About Your Graphics Card

GPU-Z 0.3.8 (Windows, Freeware, 449KB) [alt DL] is a lightweight utility designed to give you all information about your video card and GPU.

Changes:

• Added framework for translations in GPU-Z
• Added sensors to monitor GPU load percentages on NVIDIA
• Fixed startup on Windows 2000 (DLL not found)
• Improved detection/added sensors for ATI M86
• Fixed several NVAPI crashes
• Fixed crash when PhysX not available
• GPU-Z can now be set in its system menu to be always on top of other windows

IceRocket Tags: gpu-z, video, hardware, windows freeware

Intel Processor Identification Utility 3.01

Intel Processor Identification Utility 3.01 (Windows, Freeware, 923KB) [dl via FileForum] was developed to identify the processor inside a system, assuring the processor contains intended technologies and is operating at the tested and rated frequency intended by Intel Corporation.

Recent change: Added support for Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme processors

This is one sure-fire way to verify the actual specs of your Intel processor, without opening the case.

Technorati: Intel, Processor, Utility, Windows, Software, Freeware

Drive Manager 3.22 - Identify Local & Removable Drives Easily

Drive Manager 3.22 (Windows, Freeware, 1.06MB) [via SnapFiles] is a small and useful tool that makes it easy to retrieve drive information for all your drives at a glance. It runs as a standalone EXE file and displays Label, Type, Size, Used, Available, Format, Serial number and Percentage free for each local and removable drive. The information is refreshed every 20 seconds - double-clicking opens the drive in Windows Explorer. Drive Manager also allows you to create a substitute drive letter for a local folder, and to hide drives from Windows Explorer.

Recent changes:

• Removed flicker from refresh
• Imroved capatibility with 120dpi display setting

This would probably be most useful for managing multiple removable drives and flash memory.

Technorati: Drive, Manager, Windows, Software, Freeware, Utility, Hardware