18.01.2009 22:18
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Uber Modder
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Keep your PC stable and up to date
I thought it would be helpful to post well known system monitoring softwares for your PC, along with drivers and other important notes. NVIDIA system monitor and nTune just don't cut it.
SYSTEM MONITORING:
GPU MONITORING:
- GPU-Z - 0.3.4: Tells you information about your GPU, monitors temperatures and clock speeds
GPU OVERCLOCKING:
- EVGA Precision - 1.7.1: Overclocking utility for NVIDIA video cards, also has options for on screen/tray/Logitech keyboard monitoring display (can choose to monitor core clock, shader clock, memory clock, temperature, and FPS). You can link/unlink core and shader clock speeds as well as change fan speed (when set to manual). Also displays some information about your video card.
- RivaTuner - 2.24: Most advanced NVIDIA overclocking utility here, RivaTuner includes real time temperature monitoring, fan speed control for multiple GPU's, and much more. Recommended for enthusiast overclockers.
- ATItool - 0.26: Overclocking utility for ATI and NVIDIA video cards, can also test for artifacts.
- ATI Tray Tools - 1.3.6.1042: Real time monitoring and overclocking made easy
- EVGA Voltage Tuner - 1.1.2.1: Increases voltages on GPU for extremely high overclocking, warranty is not voided. The first version of this software will only work with the following EVGA cards, and only EVGA: 65nm GTX 260 (all versions), GTX 280 (all versions), and GTX 295 (all versions). Only those who have registered one of these EVGA cards at the EVGA website and have a registered account can download this software.
CPU MONITORING:
- CPU-Z - 1.51: Tells you information about your CPU, motherboard, and memory (RAM).
- RealTemp - 3.00: Monitors CPU temperatures, works in tray.
- CoreTemp - 0.99.4: Monitors CPU temperatures, works in tray.
- IntelBurnTest - 1.9: Monitors CPU stability and RAM stability. Heavier, more accurate tests than Prime95.
- Prime95 - 25.9: Monitors CPU and RAM stability. When running IntelBurnTest or Prime95 I do not recommend doing anything else with your computer.
CPU OVERCLOCKING:
- EVGA E-LEET Tuning Utility - 1.05.4: Tells you information about your CPU, motherboard, and memory (RAM). Real-time monitoring of CPU, memory and QPI frequencies. Real-time monitoring of vital voltages such as: CPU VCore, DRAM Voltage, +12v, etc. Real-time monitoring of each individual processor core, north bridge and voltages regulator temperatures. Real-time adjustments of QPI base clocks, CPU multiplier and PCIe bus frequencies, Logitech keyboard LCD display support and more. This software is only available for those who have purchased an EVGA X58 motherboard and registered it on the EVGA website. Only works for Intel Core i7 CPU's.
- AMD overclocking utility
- AMD processer technologies http://www.amd.com/usen/Processors/Techn...71_9706,00.html
MISCELLANEOUS:
NVIDIA DISPLAY DRIVERS:
WHQL Certified:
BETA:
ATI DISPLAY DRIVERS:
Feel free to add to the list. I personally use GPU-Z 0.3.1 for GPU monitoring, EVGA Precision 1.4.0 for GPU overclocking and in game monitoring, and CPU-Z/RealTemp/HWMonitor/Prime95 for CPU monitoring. I use ForceWare 180.48 WHQL drivers, since I get best performance with them. I'll update this post when necessary, and I'll put it in my signature.
TIPS:
Proper uninstallation/installation of video drivers (Vista):
- Download and install Driver Sweeper or something similar.
- Right click on computer, click Device Manager (on left)
- Select your display device (video card), uninstall video device software.
- Delete driver folder (C:\NVIDIA\WinVista64\1xx.xx)
- Reboot in safe mode (repeatedly hit F8 during boot sequence).
- Run Driver Sweeper or your equivalent. Only clean Display driver.
- Reboot.
- Download and install your desired driver.
- Reboot.
When installing new drivers, make sure all anti-virus software is disabled.
Proper installation of second/third/fourth video card (SLI/CrossFireX):
- Download and install Driver Sweeper or something similar.
- Right click on computer, click Device Manager (on left)
- Select your display device (video card), uninstall video device software.
- Delete driver folder (C:\NVIDIA\WinVista64\1xx.xx)
- Reboot in safe mode (repeatedly hit F8 during boot sequence).
- Run Driver Sweeper or your equivalent. Only clean Display driver.
- Shut down PC completely.
- Install your second/third/fourth video card into your computer.
- Boot.
- Download and install your desired driver.
- Reboot.
When installing new drivers, make sure all anti-virus software is disabled.
Also check out the NVIDIA GeForce Power Pack!
I love my dual monitor setup.
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This post has been edited 74 time(s), it was last edited by boredgunner: 09.05.2009 22:09.
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18.01.2009 22:24
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Hardcore Modder
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RE: Keep your PC stable and up to date
What about the Overdrive overclock Utility for AMD procesors? let me search for it, dunno were is right now....
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This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by dempere02: 18.01.2009 22:27.
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18.01.2009 22:24
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Uber Modder
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RE: Keep your PC stable and up to date
I've never had an AMD processor so I wouldn't know.
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This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by boredgunner: 18.01.2009 22:24.
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18.01.2009 22:28
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Hardcore Modder
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RE: Keep your PC stable and up to date
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18.01.2009 22:29
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Uber Modder
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RE: Keep your PC stable and up to date
| quote: |
Originally posted by boredgunner
I've never had an AMD processor so I wouldn't know. |
one thing you should add is the AMD Dual-Core Optimizer, it is a great utility that make Dual-cores work better with some games and so on 
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/Tech...71_9706,00.html
here is all the AMD utilities (or atleas a couple)
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My Custom Characters
This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by Illerztam: 18.01.2009 22:30.
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22.01.2009 23:10
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Uber Modder
Thread Starter |
RE: Keep your PC stable and up to date
Updated with 181.22 WHQL drivers and AMD processor software. Can anyone comment on the 181.22 performance? The 180.48 were better than the 181.20 for me.
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22.01.2009 23:25
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Silent Guardian
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you havent included any software for RAM, like that can free up unused ram memory ?
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22.01.2009 23:30
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Uber Modder
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you forgot the asus overlclocking tool called asus ai suite.
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punctuation is for fools
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22.01.2009 23:33
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Silent Guardian
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there are a lot of freeware Ram optimisers knocking about, theres not really one famous 1 in particular thats the best.
good list though 
are you going to provide other hints and tips on how to optimise performance etc ?
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23.01.2009 03:13
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Uber Modder
Thread Starter |
| quote: |
Originally posted by icomrade
you forgot the asus overlclocking tool called asus ai suite. |
I didn't forget that, I never heard of it. First post updated, I'm also adding a list on how to properly uninstall and install video drivers.
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This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by boredgunner: 23.01.2009 03:14.
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23.01.2009 03:21
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Uber Modder
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You may want to also add avast to your misc list. It's a great free antivirus suite. I used to use AVG but now I use avast.
The Asus ai suite is also good, but you need to have an asus mobo with the option of having it.
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 << Now with musical excerpts!
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24.01.2009 05:29
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Uber Modder
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I really have no idea as to why you would even need to use the upcoming piece of software yet. Maybe in the future when the gfx is again the bottleneck, maybe. But not at the moment.
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<< Now with musical excerpts!
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25.01.2009 17:14
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Uber Modder
Thread Starter |
| quote: |
Originally posted by zygurt
I really have no idea as to why you would even need to use the upcoming piece of software yet. Maybe in the future when the gfx is again the bottleneck, maybe. But not at the moment. |
Some people like to squeeze as much performance as they can out of their video card, like me.
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25.01.2009 17:29
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Crytek Staff Member
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I would add ATI Tray Tools to the list 
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This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by Cry-Havok: 25.01.2009 17:29.
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25.01.2009 17:29
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Uber Modder
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Ha. I installed new drivers from 16x.xx to 181.22 and now L4D isnt even playable. Cant wait till I find my old drivers so I CAN MY GAMES. 
181.22 were a great driver for Crysis, it smoothed out alot of gameplay, and brought my FPS up in Wars, but it created an insane hitching problem in L4D, where I'd be left with a freeze frame and stuck audio loops for 5 seconds at a time and then be good for 20 seconds (if i was lucky).
Great drivers for Crysis, terrible for L4D.
I stand corrected, the drivers are fine, I was having trouble with L4D's engine, which many people have had issues with.
From my experience, this is a really good new driver.
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Because the L32 is bulletproof and a very practical and underestimated platform.
Who thinks I can break 12 seconds? L36 has broken 12, I can make 11's!
This post has been edited 2 time(s), it was last edited by =FS= Bandit127: 26.01.2009 00:17.
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07.02.2009 19:08
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Uber Modder
Thread Starter |
Updated with RealTemp v3.0 and the EVGA voltage tuner has been released!
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12.02.2009 06:21
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Beginner
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Any free programs that tell you what drivers in your PC are out of date?
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13.02.2009 00:48
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Uber Modder
Thread Starter |
| quote: |
Originally posted by mfw41
Any free programs that tell you what drivers in your PC are out of date? |
It's called the internet. If there is such a software I wouldn't see why. I update video card drivers in this thread, other drivers are more specific (work with only certain products). I only post drivers that are listed on NVIDIA's website. ForceWare 182.05 BETA drivers added in first post.
Excellent news - CPU-Z 1.50 and HWMonitor 1.13 released!
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This post has been edited 6 time(s), it was last edited by boredgunner: 18.02.2009 17:20.
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