Complete guide to hardware analysis for your PC

When our PC starts running slowly, overheating, or displays blue screens, we almost always think about formatting or calling a technician, but we rarely stop to do a good hardware analysis With the right tools. The reality is that, with a little patience and several free utilities, you can detect most hardware problems yourself and decide whether it's worth repairing, upgrading, or replacing your computer.

Faulty hard drives, defective RAM, GPUs overheating, unstable power supplies, corrupted drivers… all of these leave traces. And those traces can be found if you know where to look. From tools integrated into Windows, macOS or Linux to complete diagnostic and monitoring programs that put numbers and clear data to what, otherwise, would only be feelings of "something's weird".

Essential programs for PC hardware diagnostics

Before delving into system commands or menus, it's helpful to familiarize yourself with some classic utilities that offer a nearly complete overview of your computer. With these, you can view specifications, temperatures, voltages, disk status, and much more, all from a relatively simple interface and without needing to be an engineer.

One of the first almost obligatory stops is Speccy, by Piriform. This app clearly demonstrates the hardware configuration and part of the installed software In your PC: processor, motherboard, RAM, disks, graphics card, sound, network, operating system… In addition to the specifications, it helps you detect strange details, such as less memory than you should have installed, a graphics card that is not the one you thought or a very old BIOS version.

For those who want even more detail, AIDA64 on Windows and Hardinfo on Linux are excellent choices. These programs generate an almost encyclopedic system report, with Highly accurate data on the motherboard, temperature sensors, fan RPM, video and sound APIs, storage, networking, and CPU performance benchmarksThey are especially useful when you suspect a specific component or want to compare your equipment with other configurations.

Another interesting approach is offered by ESET's SysInspector. It's a tool designed more for system auditing than simply as a "parts viewer." It scans processes, drivers, registry entries, and even potential threats, helping to locate them. anomalous behaviors that may appear to be hardware problems but originate from software or malwareIt can be used integrated into the ESET security suite or as a standalone program.

For the processor, CPU-Z (and its Linux equivalent CPU-X) remains a classic. This utility focuses on offering accurate CPU and memory informationThis includes information such as model, architecture, real-time frequencies, voltages, number of cores and threads, RAM type, timings, etc. It's crucial if you've overclocked or want to check if the processor is running at its intended speeds.

If your computer has an Intel processor, it's a good idea to take an extra step using the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool. This official tool performs a battery of tests to check Intel CPU integrity and stability, including stress control, frequency verification, voltages, and instruction setIf you suspect that the system instability is due to the processor, this test is especially useful for confirming or ruling it out.

Network and WiFi diagnostics: when the problem is not in the PC

Not every apparent hardware failure originates from a computer component; often the bottleneck lies in the network. That's why it's useful to have specific tools for connectivity, both wireless and wired.

In the WiFi field, applications like WiFi Analyzer allow you to study the wireless environment in considerable detail. With them you can see what Channels are more saturated, the actual signal strength, the quality of each available network, and record reports to compare them over time.This way, you can find out if the disconnections you're experiencing are due to interference, poor router placement, or simply a faulty wireless card.

For wired networks, Angry IP Scanner is a very useful and cross-platform option (Windows, macOS, Linux). It scans IP address ranges and shows which hosts respond. latencies, open ports, detected services, and suspicious changes in the network mapIt is ideal for checking for IP conflicts, devices that appear and disappear, or potential problems with switches, routers, or network adapters on the computer itself.

Storage health and monitoring: HDD and SSD drives

One of the most critical aspects of hardware is storage. A mechanical hard drive with bad sectors or a degraded SSD may still "function," but cause crashes, freezes, and data loss. Fortunately, most modern drives incorporate SMART technology, which allows monitor the health of the disk before it dies completely.

CrystalDiskInfo is the benchmark in this field. This Windows utility reads SMART attributes and displays key parameters such as [specific parameters to be inserted in a single window]. temperature, number of hours of use, count of reassigned sectors, read errors, firmware, interface, and overall health statusIf the program starts marking the disk as "risky" or "bad", it's time to back it up as soon as possible and think about a replacement.

Another interesting angle is the visual analysis of disk space usage. Tools like WinDirStat display disk contents graphically, with colored blocks representing folders and file types. This allows you to see at a glance where space is being used, which file extensions are taking up the most space, and Detect giant files or out-of-control folder structures that can negatively impact performance.

To complete general maintenance, CCleaner is still widely used. Beyond cleaning temporary files and caches, it allows Review and repair problematic Windows registry entries, remove duplicate files, manage startup programs, and free up space on nearly full disks.Although it is not a "pure" hardware diagnostic tool, it does help to rule out software bottlenecks that are mistaken for physical problems.

RAM, GPU and screen: components that fail more often than you might think

RAM is a prime suspect when random errors occur, applications close unexpectedly, blue screens appear, or spontaneous restarts happen. To thoroughly test it, one of the leading utilities is Memtest86+, which runs from bootable media and performs Intensive testing on all available memory blocks to detect errors that do not appear in normal use.

Windows also includes its own memory diagnostic tool, Windows Memory Diagnostic (mdsched), which launches before the system boots. It doesn't reach the level of detail of Memtest86+, but it's quite handy for a quick initial screening for defective RAM modules without installing anything additional.

The graphics card is another key component, especially in gaming PCs or workstations. To stress it and check its stability, programs like Furmark or other synthetic benchmarks are used. These tools push the GPU to its limits, increasing power consumption and temperature, which allows for the identification of issues. Graphics cards with cooling problems, unstable chips, or power supplies that fall short when the graphics card is pushed to its limits..

For detailed GPU monitoring, GPU-Z is the equivalent of CPU-Z but focused on the graphics card. It displays the model, memory type and amount, clock speeds, GPU BIOS version, drivers, temperature sensors, and real-time load. In multi-GPU setups, it is capable of detect each one separately and record data for later analysis.

The screen, though it may seem less critical, can also cause problems. Stuck pixels, strange lines, or spots can be symptoms of panel issues. Web tools like JScreenFix run a quick color sequence that, in many cases, succeeds “unlock” stuck pixels that are fixed on a specific colorHowever, there are no miracles with dead (black) pixels, which can no longer be recovered.

Built-in Windows tools for viewing and diagnosing hardware

If you don't want to download anything, Windows offers several built-in utilities that can both show you what components you have and detect errors. Many go unnoticed, but when used correctly, they provide a wealth of information.

One of the simplest is the DirectX diagnostic, which you access by pressing WIN+R and typing “dxdiag”. After a short scan, a window opens with tabs for System, Display, Sound, and Input. Here you will find Basic hardware data: CPU model, amount of RAM, BIOS version, graphics chip, video and sound drivers, connected devices, and any errors loggedIt's a quick way to check specifications and rule out graphics or audio incompatibilities.

From the Settings menu, under System > About, you can also see a summary of the device: device name, processor, installed memory, and operating system typeIf you combine this with Device Manager, which you can access from the Windows search bar or by right-clicking on Start, you can expand each category (display adapters, network adapters, sound adapters, etc.) and check what hardware is actually installed.

Device Manager is also the place to detect problematic drivers. Any device with a corrupted, outdated, or missing driver appears with a yellow warning icon. From there you can try Update the driver, uninstall and reinstall it, or manually search for a more suitable one from the manufacturer's website., and even use detect hardware changes in Windows.

Another powerful utility is System Information (msinfo32). Running it from WIN+R opens a window with a very detailed tree of components: system summary, hardware resources, drivers, sound components, display, storage, network, etc. For advanced users, it's a goldmine because it shows data that many third-party tools simplify or hide.

The command prompt also has its role. The “systeminfo” command provides a quick overview of hardware and software configuration: Windows installation date, version, system manufacturer, BIOS type, amount of memory, and more. It's not the most comprehensive tool in the world, but It can clear up your doubts in seconds when you only need basic information..

Regarding monitoring, the Performance Monitor and Resource Monitor (accessible by searching for them by name) allow you to track in detail how CPU, memory, disk, and network resources are allocated among processes. You can add counters, log sessions, and identify hardware bottlenecksYou can add counters, log sessions, and Identify whether the bottleneck is in the processor, the disk, the RAM, or the connection.

The Event Viewer is another underrated gem. Located in Windows Logs > System, it records all computer incidents, including date, time, and source. By filtering for warnings and errors, and noting the identifiers and the device involved, you can... Locate the component that is causing crashes, restarts, or driver failures. even when symptoms are intermittent.

How to view hardware in macOS and Linux without complicating things

If you work with a Mac, you don't need to install anything to learn about your hardware. In the Apple menu > About This Mac, you'll see a summary with model, processor, installed memory, serial number, and macOS versionClicking on “System Report” opens the System Information app, where you have a complete list of hardware, software and network.

In that app you can navigate through sections: Hardware, Memory, Storage, Network, Thunderbolt, etc. Each section teaches Details such as RAM modules per slot, connected disks, active network adapters, ports in use, and external devicesIt even has options to save reports or read the serial number aloud.

In Linux, the most direct way is usually to use the terminal. Commands like “sudo lshw | less” list all detected components in raw text: CPU, RAM, GPU, PCI devices, storage, network interfaces, and more. Although it's plain text, the information is very comprehensive and allows you to... quickly validate which hardware the kernel is recognizing.

Another common approach in many distributions is to explore the pseudo-directory “/proc” with “ls /proc” and files like /proc/cpuinfo or /proc/meminfo, which show details of processor, cores, total memory and internal system parametersOn more user-friendly desktops, there are graphical frontends like Hardinfo that present this same data in a more convenient interface.

Other ways to find out PC specifications without using technical software

You don't always need to open terminals or use advanced tools to find out what's inside your computer. In many cases, simply consulting the manufacturer's documentation or purchase information is enough to get a fairly accurate idea of ​​the original configuration.

If the computer is a brand name (pre-assembled laptop or desktop) and has not been modified, you can search for the Find the exact model on the manufacturer's website to see the technical specifications, including CPU, RAM, storage type, graphics card, and operating system.They are often available even as downloadable PDFs.

If you still have the invoice or delivery note, it should list the main components with their brand and model. It's a very straightforward way to check. what you were actually sold and whether it matches what the system is detecting nowAnd, incidentally, it serves as a reference if you ever need to process a warranty claim or file a complaint.

When the computer is older and online information is scarce, a more hands-on option is to open the tower (on a desktop) and look at the markings on the motherboard, power supply, graphics card, and other components. The motherboards usually indicate this clearly. manufacturer and model (for example, ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte along with Z690, B550, etc.)With that information, a quick internet search will tell you the chipset, the type of RAM supported, and the expansion possibilities.

Advanced applications to monitor, stress test, and score your hardware

In addition to generic utilities, there are programs designed to get the most out of hardware analysis and monitoring, useful for demanding users as well as technicians and repair services.

HWiNFO (in both its 32-bit and 64-bit versions) is one of the leading programs. It offers a deep system scan and a Real-time monitoring of sensors on CPUs, GPUs, motherboards, disks, and other components, with the ability to record data, generate XML or CSV reports, and detect failure trendsHowever, the number of metrics can overwhelm someone who is only looking for four basic data points.

HE – Hardware Read & Write Utility goes a step further for very advanced users. Its interface is spartan, but it allows access to Internal information about the processor, buses, memory, storage, USB, PCI, and operating systemand generate detailed reports for fine diagnostics. It's lightweight and free, but clearly geared towards technicians who know how to interpret each parameter.

OCCT is another key tool if you want to check the actual stability of the equipment and delve deeper into bottlenecks and optimizationIt includes specific stress tests for CPU, GPU, memory, and power supply, as well as graphical monitoring of system behavior under heavy loadYou can set temperature limits to avoid putting the hardware at risk, and paid versions unlock extra features such as advanced reports and unlimited tests.

AIDA64, for its part, combines diagnostics, inventory, and benchmarks into a single suite. It allows you to generate comprehensive reports on installed hardware and run... CPU, memory, disk, and GPU performance tests, and background monitoring of system behavior to hunt for intermittent errorsIt is a paid service, with different editions (Extreme, Engineer, Business), although it offers trial versions for specific uses.

We mustn't forget lighter but very useful tools like HWMonitor, focused on displaying temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds in real time, or Wise System Monitor, which, in addition to showing CPU, RAM, and network usage, It lists running processes and allows you to close them when they are consuming more resources than allowed..

Belarc Advisor provides a mixed approach: it analyzes both hardware and software, detects outdated drivers, potential vulnerabilities, and overall security status of the equipmentand generates a report that opens in the browser. It's not the most in-depth at the pure hardware level, but it's useful as a general overview of the machine.

In the GPU world, MSI Afterburner is best known for overclocking, but it also serves as control panel for temperatures, frequencies, and load of the graphics card and processorIn addition, its interface allows you to access basic hardware information and adjust fan curves to optimize cooling and noise.

Hardware quality: cores, motherboards, towers, and scores

Beyond simply knowing "what" we have, it's important to assess "how good" that hardware is and whether it's worth upgrading or replacing. This is where both scoring tools and certain basic concepts about processors and motherboards come into play.

One interesting utility is Winaero, which revives the idea of ​​the old Windows experience index. Run it synthetic tests on processor, RAM, integrated graphics, dedicated graphics and diskand assigns a score to each section. The overall score is usually the lowest value, so it's useful for identifying the bottleneck component.

Regarding the CPU, it's important to understand what cores and frequency mean. Each core is a processing unit capable of read, decode, execute and write instructions independentlyMore cores allow you to handle more tasks in parallel, but they don't guarantee more speed if the frequency is low or the software isn't optimized to use them.

The clock speed, measured in GHz, indicates how many instruction cycles each core can complete per second. A processor with fewer cores but with Modern architecture, good cache, higher frequency, and better CPI It can outperform another processor with more cores but an older design in real-world performance. Furthermore, operating system and application optimization greatly influence how effectively those cores are utilized.

Motherboards, for their part, are organized by form factors: ATX, microATX, mini-ITX, eATX… These measurements determine the physical size of the board and, therefore, the number of RAM slots, PCIe ports, power connectors, bays, and expansion options availableAn eATX-compatible tower supports motherboards of almost any size, while a very compact case limits expansion options and graphics card length.

Choosing a small tower (microATX or mini-ITX) might be perfect if you're looking for a discreet PC, but it implies Less space for large graphics cards, fewer expansion slots, and greater difficulty in maintaining good internal temperatures.If you want power, multiple disk drives, and room for growth, it's usually worth opting for ATX or eATX with well-ventilated cases.

Detection of symptoms and prevention of hardware problems

Beyond the tools themselves, it's important to know how to recognize signs that something is wrong. General slowness, extremely slow startup times, frequent crashes, blue screens, constant 100% CPU or RAM usage, errors when installing programs… all these symptoms can point to… disk failures, memory failures, power supply failures, driver failures, or even malware.

Windows offers several utilities to address these issues: the Memory Diagnostic we mentioned, DirectX tests, Performance Monitor and Resource Monitor, and the Event Viewer itself. Regularly reviewing this data helps to Detect overheating, resource-intensive processes, recurring errors from the same device, or failing controllers.

Prevention relies primarily on keeping drivers up to date, monitoring temperatures, and avoiding constant system overload. Updating drivers through Device Manager, using official tools from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel, and monitoring CPU, GPU, and disk temperatures with programs like HWMonitor or Core Temp significantly reduces the likelihood of premature failure.

It's also advisable to avoid abuses such as improperly configured overclocking, extreme work sessions without breaks on poorly cooled equipment, or unsupervised cryptocurrency mining on home machines. Good airflow in the case, regular dust cleaning, and replacement of thermal paste when necessary They make a difference in the longevity of the hardware.

In professional environments or those with high team turnover, regular diagnostics provide added value: they allow Reuse equipment for longer, maintain a good residual value in second-hand devices, and reduce electronic waste.Mass testing tools are capable of automating more than 20 tests per device (CPU, RAM, storage, keyboard, microphone, camera, etc.) and generating reports that make it easier to decide what to recycle, repair, or resell.

When working with the inside of a PC, security is paramount: you must always Turn off and unplug the equipment, avoid static electricity by not using a wrist strap or touching a metal surface, and use appropriate tools to avoid damaging delicate components.A simple oversight with ESD can render a seemingly healthy motherboard or RAM module unusable.

This whole set of tools, best practices, and attention to symptoms means that diagnosing hardware is no longer "just for experts" but something any moderately curious user can handle. With the right software, by leveraging system tools, and applying a little common sense, it's much easier. to detect which component is failing, decide if it is worth repairing, and extend the equipment's lifespan without overspending..