Thoroughly review the hardware of a PC It's the best way to get ahead of crashes, blue screens, and data loss that come without warning; you can consult our PhotoRec data recovery guideWith a few well-chosen tools, you can find out if your processor, memory, disk, graphics card, or even WiFi network are showing signs of fatigue, without having to resort to a technical service right away.
Today there are tons of free and paid utilities There are many tools for analyzing PC hardware, but not all of them are created equal, nor are they all worthwhile. Below you'll find a comprehensive guide, in Spanish and written in the clearest possible language, that compiles native Windows tools, programs most commonly used by technicians and enthusiasts, and some tips for distinguishing between hardware and software issues.
When to suspect your PC has hardware problems
Before I start taking tests like crazyIt's helpful to know what symptoms usually point to a possible hardware failure. Windows is relatively stable, but when something in the physical equipment starts to malfunction, you'll normally notice things like these:
- Programs that open and run much slower of normal, without anything having changed in daily use.
- Windows boot loops, with the loading screen spinning over and over again.
- Random system crashesboth when using applications and when moving files or browsing.
- Blue Screenshots (BSOD) that appear from time to time without a clear cause.
- Processor or memory at 100% in Task Manager without any heavy programs open.
- Error messages when trying to install programs or when accessing certain folders.
To that we must add more subtle errorsThese issues can include minor, random glitches, corrupted files, spontaneous restarts while gaming or rendering video, or network connection drops. Often, this starts with a faulty RAM module, bad sectors on the hard drive, excessively high temperatures, or incorrectly installed drivers.
Diagnostic tools included in Windows
Before downloading anything, it's a good idea to explore what Windows offers.Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 have built-in utilities that allow you to check memory, system files, resources, and system events without installing additional software.
System File Checker (SFC)
The SFC command functions as an internal Windows auditorIt analyzes essential operating system files and compares them to a "clean" copy stored in the component store. If it finds anything modified by a failed update, a power outage, or malware, it replaces it with the correct version.
To use it Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
sfc /scannow
This analysis can fix many problems Instability issues, Explorer crashes, and some blue screens related to system files can occur. If SFC indicates that it cannot repair the image because it is corrupted, you will need to use DISM to download the components again from Microsoft's servers.
Windows memory diagnostics
Faulty RAM is a classic cause of rare failuresApplications that close unexpectedly, errors when decompressing files, random blue screens, etc. Windows includes a basic test called Memory Diagnostic.
To launch it Press Windows + R, type mdsched and press Enter. The system will ask you to restart to perform the test outside of Windows, so that the RAM is as free as possible.
The analysis usually takes between 5 and 10 minutesAfter restarting, Windows displays whether it has found any errors. This test is useful as a first screening, although for a thorough check, Memtest86+ is ideal.
Performance Monitor and Resource Monitor
The Performance Monitor It's a little-known utility that lets you monitor CPU, disk, network, memory, power, and other metrics in real time. You can open it by searching for "performance monitor" in the Start menu.
This tool displays graphs and data It provides information on CPU usage, disk access, resource usage spikes, and more. It's perfect for detecting if the problem is a bottleneck due to excessive consumption rather than a physical component failure.
The Resource Monitor, closely linked to the aboveIt offers a detailed view of processes: CPU, RAM, disk, and network. It lets you see, for example, which program is constantly reading from a slow disk, or which one is saturating memory.
DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DxDiag)
For DirectX-based sound and video problems (games that close, audio glitches, errors when starting titles), the DxDiag tool collects information from the graphics and sound APIs.
It is launched with Windows + R and typing dxdiagAfter a few seconds, you will be able to save a text report with details of the GPU, drivers, audio codecs, and any issues detected.
This report is very useful. to share it in forums or with the manufacturer's technical support, since it lists driver versions, compatibilities, video memory, etc.
Events viewer
The Event Viewer records everything that happens on the PCServices that fail, drivers that don't load, power outages, unexpected restarts, disk errors... it's a kind of "black box" of the system.
Access it by searching for “event viewer” In the Start menu, go to "Windows Logs > System". There you'll see a list of events with codes and dates. The ones you're interested in usually have a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark or a red icon.
By clicking on each event It shows which component or driver is involved. If the same device is always associated with errors, you have a pretty good clue as to the source of the problem.
Device Manager and Driver Status
Drivers are the bridge between Windows and hardwareWhen one fails, the corresponding component may stop working or function erratically.
From Device Manager (Right-click on the Start button > Device Manager) to see if there are any devices with a yellow icon. This indicates driver problems (corrupted, missing, or incompatible).
In that case, right-click > Update driver This is usually the first step. It's also a good idea to download the driver directly from the manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Realtek, etc.) to ensure you have the latest stable version.
Specialized hardware analysis tools
Once the utilities of Windows have been fully utilizedIt's time to use third-party programs that provide much more detailed information about each component, allow you to perform stress tests, and record the PC's behavior in different situations.
CPU-Z, GPU-Z and CPU-X
CPU-Z is one of the classic tools for getting to know the hardware in detail.Despite the name, it not only provides information about the processor, but also about the motherboard, RAM, and, in part, the graphics card.
With CPU-Z you can see the exact CPU modellithography, voltage, real-time frequencies, caches, number of cores and threads, and the socket it uses. This is great for checking if an overclock or underclock has been applied correctly, or if the CPU is underperforming.
In the motherboard section It displays the model, chipset, BIOS version, and PCIe bus configuration. This allows you to confirm, for example, if your graphics card is running at x16 or if the motherboard firmware is outdated.
Regarding RAM, CPU-Z displays actual frequency, latencies, XMP profile, and voltages.This way you know if your modules are running at their designed speed or if the system is limiting them. It also reveals the exact model in case you want to buy more identical modules.
For the GPU, its "cousin" is GPU-ZThis tool focuses on the graphics card: manufacturer, specific chip, type and amount of VRAM, frequencies, bus width, and supported technologies. It also allows monitoring of temperatures, GPU load, fan speeds, and power consumption.
In Linux there is CPU-X as an alternative to CPU-Zoffering very similar CPU, motherboard and memory specifications adapted to the penguin environment and comparisons on SBCs such as Raspberry Pi RP2350 vs RP2040.
HWMonitor, HWiNFO and Open Hardware Monitor
If you want to control temperatures, voltages and fans Of practically everything on the PC, these three utilities are among the favorites of many advanced users.
HWMonitor is lightweight and very directLists CPU, GPU, motherboard, and disk sensors, displaying current, minimum, and maximum temperatures, voltages, and even fan RPMs. Ideal for seeing at a glance if something is overheating.
HWiNFO goes one step furtherIt not only displays real-time values, but also allows logging, the creation of comprehensive reports for all hardware, export to CSV or HTML, and the visualization of graphs. It's so complete that it's even used in professional environments like NASA and in embedded systems such as high-performance panel PC.
With HWiNFO you can see the load and temperature of each CPU coremotherboard sensors, VRM status, NVMe SSD temperatures, case and heatsink fan speeds, and much more.
Open Hardware MonitorIt, meanwhile, is open source and offers a very similar view: temperatures, voltages, frequencies, fan RPM, and component usage. It's compatible with most sensors from Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, and modern motherboards.
These utilities are essential if you overclock. Or if you suspect temperature problems (thermal throttling): you'll see if the CPU lowers frequencies to avoid overheating, if the GPU is overwhelmed by lack of ventilation, or if an NVMe SSD reaches dangerous temperatures.
AIDA64 and HardInfo
AIDA64 is one of the most comprehensive diagnostic programsAuditing and monitoring of Windows PCs. It offers dozens of pages of information about each component, from the motherboard to USB devices.
It allows you to generate very detailed reports In HTML, CSV or spreadsheet format, perform CPU, memory and storage performance tests, and run stress tests to check the system's stability at the limit.
Although it's a paid app, it does have trial versions. and several license levels (Extreme for home users, Engineer and Business for professional environments). Its Microsoft Store version is somewhat limited, so it's usually more worthwhile to download it from the official website.
In Linux, HardInfo plays a similar roleIt gathers information about the CPU, GPU, RAM, motherboard, and other devices, and offers small comparative benchmarks to see how your computer performs against others.
Speccy and SysInspector
Speccy is a very convenient freemium utility for less technical users.It clearly summarizes the system components: processor, RAM, motherboard, disks, graphics card, sound and network, including basic temperatures.
One of its advantages is that it allows you to save the results. such as screenshots, XML files, or text, which makes it easy to share information in forums or with technical support without having to describe everything by hand.
SysInspector, by ESETIt is another tool designed to diagnose system-level problems. It analyzes processes, services, drivers, network connections, and generates a report that helps detect malware, suspicious drivers, or system conflicts.
OCCT: CPU, GPU, RAM and power supply stress tests
OCCT is one of the most powerful suites for stress testing hardwareIt allows you to subject the CPU, graphics card, RAM, and even the power supply to very high loads to see if the computer can handle it without errors or crashes.
The application includes integrated monitoring.This allows you to see real-time temperatures, voltages, and frequencies while the tests are running. It's ideal for pinpointing instabilities that only appear when the system is under heavy load (heavy gaming, rendering, etc.).
OCCT allows setting maximum temperature limits To prevent damage: the test stops as soon as the CPU or GPU exceeds the set threshold. Even so, it's always advisable to monitor the test and not leave it running unattended for hours.
The free version allows stability testing and monitoringThe paid versions add detailed reports, unlimited tests, results export, and other advanced features.
HE – Hardware Read & Write Utility
This tool is geared towards advanced users They need a very in-depth view of all the system's devices. It displays data about the processor, memory, screen, storage, PCI and USB buses, operating system, etc.
Its ability to dissect every component It's enormous and allows you to generate very detailed reports. However, the interface is somewhat outdated, and much of the information can be difficult for the average user to interpret.
Storage analysis: CrystalDiskInfo and WinDirStat
If you suspect problems with your hard drive or SSD (strange noises, endless loading times, corrupted files, restarts when accessing certain data), it is advisable to check both the physical condition and the use of space.
CrystalDiskInfo and SMART
CrystalDiskInfo is based on SMART technology Integrated into HDDs and SSDs to assess their "health". It reads parameters such as temperature, hours of use, reallocated sectors, error rate, power cycles, etc.
The tool displays a very clear color code: blue when the unit is in good condition, orange when there are warnings of possible imminent failure, and red when the disk already has serious problems.
In addition to general healthYou can view the real-time temperature, installed firmware, interface (SATA, NVMe), negotiated speed, size, transfer mode, and other features. If you're interested in the future of storage, read about 100 TB HAMR hard drives.
If it appears in orange or redThe best thing to do is back up your data as soon as possible and plan for a drive replacement. Don't wait until it "dies completely" because then recovering the data will be much more complicated (and expensive).
WinDirStat: Who's eating your disk?
WinDirStat does not analyze the physical state of the diskbut rather the use of space. It scans the drive and generates a color-coded graphic map where each rectangle represents a file, proportional to its size.
It's perfect for detecting giant folders and files. that you didn't even know you had: forgotten game installations, duplicate backups, huge caches, etc.
The application is free and open sourceIt includes listings by extensions and directories. While it doesn't "fix" a slow disk, it does help free up gigabytes and tidy up the chaotic files.
RAM Memory: Memtest86+ and additional diagnostics
When RAM starts to failThe errors can appear to be anything else: application crashes, freezes, corrupted files, installations that don't finish... That's why, if you suspect something is wrong, it's a good idea to run an intensive test.
Memtest86+ is one of the most widely used solutions For this purpose, it loads from a bootable USB drive and performs several test passes over all available memory, writing and reading a wide variety of patterns to detect defective bits.
The analysis may take quite a while. If you have a lot of RAM, you can run the scan several times, but ideally, you should run it through the system. If errors appear, it's usually because one or more modules are damaged, and the best course of action is to replace them.
Combined with Windows Memory DiagnosticYou get a fairly comprehensive view of the state of your modules, both in a built-in quick test and in an in-depth analysis outside the system.
GPU and display: FurMark, GPU-Z and JScreenFix
Graphics cards often fail under load.: artifacts on screen, crashes when starting games, fans running at full speed, sudden drops in FPS, etc. To check if the GPU can handle it, specific tools are used.
FurMark and GPU stress tests
FurMark is a classic for stressing the graphics cardIt renders a 3D "hairy donut" that puts a huge load on the GPU and raises the temperature in a few seconds.
It's used to see if the card is stable under maximum load. And check if the cooling system (fans, heatsink, case airflow) is sufficient. If artifacts, crashes, or excessive temperatures appear, something is wrong.
It's important to use it wisely.: monitor temperatures with HWMonitor or HWiNFO, do not prolong the test longer than necessary and, if you have an old or doubtful GPU, set conservative limits.
GPU-Z: accurate information and monitoring
As mentioned briefly above, GPU-Z focuses on the graphics card.In addition to the technical specifications, its sensor tab displays temperature, load, fan speed, core and memory frequency, power consumption, etc.
Combining GPU-Z with FurMark You can see exactly how the graph responds to the load: whether it throttles due to temperature, whether the fan speeds up correctly, whether power consumption spikes, etc.
JScreenFix: stuck pixels
When the problem is on the screen If a colored dot appears that doesn't change (stuck pixel), you can try JScreenFix, a web tool that displays a pattern of colored blinks over the affected area.
This method can "unblock" some pixels On LCD or OLED panels, it can be done in under 10 minutes, although it's not foolproof. If the pixel is truly dead (permanently black), there's no tool that can recover it. If you're interested in how screens have evolved, check out our OLED screen analysis.
Network diagnostics: WiFi Analyzer and Angry IP Scanner
It's not all about CPU, RAM and disk.Connectivity problems are also frequent: outages, slow WiFi, high latency… This is where network-focused utilities come into play.
Wifi analyzer
WiFi Analyzer, available primarily on Android phonesIt allows you to analyze the wireless networks around you, see which channels are most congested, and measure the signal strength at different points in the house.
With this information you can choose the optimal channel On the router, reposition the equipment or access point and confirm whether the disconnections are due to a weak signal or interference from other networks.
Angry IP Scanner
Angry IP Scanner is a cross-platform network scanner (Windows, macOS, Linux) that tracks IP address ranges and shows which devices are active, their ping, open ports, and services.
It is useful for diagnosing IP hops, unusual latencies, or network conflicts.as well as checking which devices you actually have connected (PCs, mobiles, printers, IoT devices, etc.).
Software maintenance, cleaning, and checks
Although the focus is on the hardwareIt should not be forgotten that many apparent problems of "broken components" come from a Windows full of junk, insufficient disk space or malware.
CCleaner and WinDirStat
CCleaner is a well-known tool To remove temporary files, caches, installation remnants, and clean the Windows registry. This can alleviate minor performance issues or slow startups.
It also has functions for uninstalling programsManage those that start with Windows and search for duplicate files that take up space without contributing anything.
Combined with WinDirStatYou can perform a thorough cleaning: delete large, forgotten folders, clean temporary files, and lighten the system load. However, no one should expect that using CCleaner will "cure" a physically damaged hard drive or fix faulty RAM.
Malwarebytes and company
Malwarebytes does not replace antivirus softwareBut it complements it very well. Specializing in adware, PUPs, and certain types of malware that go more unnoticed, it can help rule out infection as the cause of the symptoms.
It's important to run a test when there is unusual behavior. which could be confused with hardware failures: processes that consume CPU in the background, strange connections, pop-ups, browser changes, etc.
Tests and benchmarks after building or upgrading a PC
Whether you've just built a PC or made a big upgrade (new graphics card, more RAM, power supply change, etc.), it's a very good idea to perform a basic battery of tests and benchmarks to check that everything works perfectly.
- CPU and memory stability test: OCCT, AIDA64 or Prime95 (with temperature monitoring using HWMonitor or HWiNFO).
- GPU test: FurMark and some game benchmarks, observing stability, temperatures and expected performance for your model.
- RAM test: at least one run of Memtest86+ from USB to ensure that the new modules are error-free.
- Disc test: CrystalDiskInfo to check health and disk benchmark tools (CrystalDiskMark, for example) to confirm speeds as advertised.
With that small test plan You can detect assembly problems (poorly positioned heatsink, poorly inserted RAM, loose power cable), factory defective components, or overly aggressive overclocking settings.
How to prevent long-term hardware problems
Although hardware failures are inevitable over timeThere are several practices that greatly help to delay them and reduce scares.
Keep your drivers updated It's key. Drivers link Windows to the hardware, and if they're outdated or corrupted, they can cause errors, crashes, and poor performance. You can:
- Check the Device Manager periodically and update from there what is causing problems.
- Use official utilities such as GeForce Experience (NVIDIA), Radeon Software (AMD) or Intel Driver & Support Assistant.
- Use reliable third-party tools (like Driver Booster) if you need to automate something else, always download them from official sources.
Control the temperatures This is equally important. Excessive and continuous heat shortens the lifespan of CPUs, GPUs, and hard drives. It is advisable to:
- Monitor with HWMonitor, HWiNFO or Open Hardware Monitor the usual temperatures in games and heavy tasks.
- Clean the dust from the case and fans every so often to improve airflow.
- Check that the fans are working and that the heat sinks are properly secured and have thermal paste in good condition.
Avoid continuous overloads and poorly executed overclocking. It also helps. Mining cryptocurrencies with modest hardware, rendering 24/7 without good heatsinks, or overclocking without testing for stability and without monitoring temperatures is a recipe for shortening the life of the equipment.
Finally, set a reasonable schedule for checkups. It's very useful: for normal home use, a full diagnostic every 3-6 months is usually sufficient. If you use your PC for intensive tasks (demanding games, video editing, 3D, etc.), it makes sense to check temperatures and disk health every 1-2 months.
Having a good set of diagnostic tools Using them wisely makes all the difference between constantly putting out fires by formatting and detecting in time a RAM module that's starting to fail, an SSD that's warning that it's reaching the end of its life, or a graphics card that's overheating. With these utilities well mastered, you can pinpoint quite accurately what's wrong with your PC and decide whether it's enough to adjust software or if it's time to replace parts.
