Thoroughly checking your PC's hardware is the best way to prevent crashes, blue screens, and unexpected data loss; you can consult our data recovery guide with PhotoRec . With a few well-chosen tools, you can determine if your processor, memory, hard drive, graphics card, or even your Wi-Fi network are showing signs of strain, without having to immediately call a repair service.
Today, there are tons of free and paid utilities for PC hardware analysis, but not all of them are created equal, nor are they all worthwhile. Below is 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 you start running tests like crazy , it'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 typically 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.
In addition to these issues, there are more subtle errors , such as minor random glitches, corrupted files, spontaneous restarts while gaming or rendering video, or network connection drops. Often, this all 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 acts as an internal auditor for Windows . It 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 scan can fix many stability issues, Explorer crashes, and some blue screens related to system files. 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 unusual errors : applications closing 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 scan usually takes between 5 and 10 minutes , and after restarting, Windows displays whether it found any errors. It's a useful test as a first screening tool, although for a thorough check, Memtest86+ is ideal.
Performance Monitor and Resource Monitor
Performance Monitor is a little-known utility that lets you track 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 showing CPU usage, disk access, which processes are driving resource consumption, and more. It's perfect for detecting whether the problem is a bottleneck caused by excessive resource consumption rather than a physical component failure.
The Resource Monitor, closely linked to the previous tool , 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 crashing, audio glitches, title startup errors), the DxDiag tool gathers 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 for sharing in forums or with the manufacturer's technical support, as it lists driver versions, compatibilities, video memory, etc.
Events viewer
The Event Viewer records everything that happens on the PC : services 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. Then, 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.
Clicking on each event shows which component or controller 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 the hardware . When one fails, the corresponding component may stop working or function erratically.
From Device Manager (right-click the Start button > Device Manager) you can see if there are any devices with a yellow icon. This indicates driver problems (corrupted, missing, or incompatible).
In that case, right-clicking and selecting "Update driver" 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 you've exhausted the Windows utilities , it'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 a classic tool for getting detailed information about your hardware . Despite its name, it provides data not only about the processor, but also about the motherboard, RAM, and, to some extent, the graphics card.
With CPU-Z you can see the exact CPU model , lithography, 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.
The motherboard section 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 the actual frequency, latencies, XMP profile, and voltages . This way, you can tell 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-Z , which focuses on the graphics card: manufacturer, specific chip, type and amount of VRAM, frequencies, bus width, and supported technologies. It also allows you to monitor temperatures, GPU load, fan speeds, and power consumption.
In Linux, CPU-X exists as an alternative to CPU-Z , offering very similar CPU, board, and memory data adapted to the Linux 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 virtually everything in your PC, these three utilities are among the favorites of many advanced users.
HWMonitor is lightweight and very straightforward : it lists CPU, GPU, motherboard, and hard drive sensors, displaying current, minimum, and maximum temperatures, voltages, and even fan RPMs. Ideal for seeing at a glance if something is overheating.
HWiNFO goes a step further . It not only displays real-time values, but also allows you to log data, create comprehensive reports of all hardware, export them to CSV or HTML, and view graphs. It's so complete that it's even used in professional environments like NASA and in embedded systems such as high-performance panel PCs.
With HWiNFO you can view the load and temperature of each CPU core , motherboard sensors, VRM status, NVMe SSD temperatures, case and heatsink fan speeds, and much more.
Open Hardware Monitor , on the other hand, is open source and offers a very similar view: temperatures, voltages, frequencies, fan RPM, and component usage. It is compatible with most sensors from Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, and modern motherboards.
These utilities are essential if you overclock or suspect thermal throttling: you'll see if the CPU lowers frequencies to avoid overheating, if the GPU is overheating due to lack of ventilation, or if an NVMe SSD reaches dangerous temperatures.
AIDA64 and HardInfo
AIDA64 is one of the most comprehensive programs for diagnosing , auditing, and monitoring 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 product, it offers 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 advantageous to download it from the official website.
In Linux, HardInfo plays a similar role : it gathers information about the CPU, GPU, RAM, motherboard, and 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 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 as a screenshot, XML file, or text, which makes it easier to share information in forums or with technical support without having to describe everything by hand.
ESET's SysInspector 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 hardware stress testing suites . It allows you to subject the CPU, graphics card, RAM, and even the power supply to very high loads to see if the system can handle it without errors or crashes.
The application includes integrated monitoring , so you can see real-time temperatures, voltages, and frequencies while tests are running. It's ideal for pinpointing instabilities that only appear when the system is under heavy load (heavy gaming, rendering, etc.).
OCCT lets you set maximum temperature limits to prevent damage: as soon as the CPU or GPU exceeds the value you specify, the test stops. 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 monitoring , while the paid versions add detailed reports, unlimited test durations, results export, and other advanced features.
HE – Hardware Read & Write Utility
This tool is geared towards advanced users who need a very detailed view of all system devices. It displays data about the processor, memory, screen, storage, PCI and USB buses, operating system, and more.
Its ability to dissect each component is enormous, and it allows for the generation of 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, extremely long loading times, corrupted files, restarts when accessing certain data), it's advisable to check both its physical condition and its space usage.
CrystalDiskInfo and SMART
CrystalDiskInfo uses SMART technology built into HDDs and SSDs to assess their "health." It reads parameters such as temperature, usage hours, reallocated sectors, error rate, power cycles, and more.
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 overall health , you can view 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 drives.
If it appears in orange or red , you should back up your data as soon as possible and plan to replace the drive. Don't wait until it "dies completely" because recovering the data will then be much more complicated (and expensive).
WinDirStat: Who's eating your disk?
WinDirStat doesn't analyze the physical state of the disk , but rather its space usage. 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 you didn't even know you had: forgotten game installations, duplicate backups, huge caches, etc.
The application is free and open source , and includes listings by extension and directory. 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 fail , the errors can appear to be anything else: application crashes, freezes, corrupted files, installations that don't finish... That's why, if you suspect anything, it's a good idea to run a thorough test.
Memtest86+ is one of the most widely used solutions for this purpose. It is loaded from a bootable USB drive and performs several test runs across all available memory, writing and reading a wide variety of patterns to detect defective bits.
The scan can take a considerable amount of time if you have a lot of RAM, but ideally, you should run at least several complete passes. 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 Diagnostics , you get a pretty comprehensive view of the state of your modules, both in a built-in quick test and in-depth analysis outside the system.
GPU and display: FurMark, GPU-Z and JScreenFix
Graphics cards often fail under load : screen artifacts, crashes when launching 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 graphics cards . It renders a 3D "hairy donut" that puts a huge load on the GPU and raises the temperature in just a few seconds.
This test helps determine if the card is stable under maximum load and if the cooling system (fans, heatsink, case airflow) is adequate. If artifacts, crashes, or excessively high temperatures appear, something is wrong.
It's important to use it wisely : monitor temperatures with HWMonitor or HWiNFO, don't extend the test longer than necessary, and if you have an old or uncertain GPU, set conservative limits.
GPU-Z: accurate information and monitoring
As briefly mentioned above, GPU-Z focuses on the graphics card . In addition to the technical specifications, its sensors tab displays temperature, load, fan speed, core and memory frequencies, power consumption, and more.
By combining GPU-Z with FurMark you can see exactly how the graphics card 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 and a colored dot appears that does not change (stuck pixel), you can try JScreenFix, a web tool that displays a pattern of colored blinks over the affected area.
This method can "unstick" some pixels on LCD or OLED panels in under 10 minutes, although it's not foolproof. If the pixel is truly dead (permanently black), no tool can recover it. If you're interested in how screens have evolved, check out our OLED screen review.
Network diagnostics: WiFi Analyzer and Angry IP Scanner
It's not all about CPU, RAM, and disk space . Connectivity problems are also common: dropouts, slow Wi-Fi, high latency… This is where network-focused utilities come into play.
Wifi analyzer
WiFi Analyzer, available mainly on Android phones , 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, relocate the equipment or access point, and confirm whether the interruptions 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 scans 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 hardware , it 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 for removing temporary files, caches, installation remnants, and cleaning the Windows registry. This can alleviate minor performance issues or slow startups.
It also has functions to uninstall programs , manage those that start with Windows, and search for duplicate files that take up space without providing any benefit.
Combined with WinDirStat , you can perform a thorough cleanup: 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 that faulty RAM will work properly.
Malwarebytes and company
Malwarebytes doesn't replace antivirus software , but it complements it very well. Specializing in adware, PUPs, and certain types of malware that tend to go unnoticed, it can help rule out infection as the cause of your symptoms.
It's important to run it when there are strange behaviors that 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
If you've just built a PC or made a big upgrade (new graphics card, more RAM, power supply, etc.), it's a very good idea to run a basic battery of tests and benchmarks to make sure everything is working 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 this small test plan you can detect assembly problems (poorly positioned heatsink, poorly inserted RAM, loose power cable), defective components from the factory, or overly aggressive overclocking configurations.
How to prevent long-term hardware problems
Although hardware failures are inevitable over time , there are several practices that greatly help to delay them and reduce the scares.
Keeping your drivers up to date is key. Drivers connect Windows to your hardware, and outdated or corrupted drivers 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.
Controlling temperatures is equally important. Continuous overheating 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.
Avoiding continuous overloads and poorly executed overclocking also helps. Mining cryptocurrencies with modest hardware, rendering 24/7 without good heatsinks, or overclocking without testing for stability and monitoring temperatures is a recipe for shortening the lifespan of your equipment.
Finally, establishing a reasonable schedule for checks is very helpful: 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 modeling, etc.), it makes sense to check temperatures and disk health every 1-2 months.
Having a good set of diagnostic tools and using them judiciously makes the difference between constantly putting out fires by formatting and detecting in time a RAM module that is starting to fail, an SSD that warns that it is reaching the end of its life, or a graphics card that is overheating; with these utilities well mastered, you can pinpoint quite accurately what is failing in your PC and decide whether it is enough to adjust software or if it is time to replace parts.
