3DP Chip 24.12

Overview

3DP Chip is a driver application that can help to re-install software drivers on systems that have out of date drivers.

Drivers can be be updated for several reasons including new features being added to the drivers if they didn't fully support a hardware product when first released, bug fixes and speed improvements for better performance.

3DP Chip will scan the installed system hardware and check the internet to verify whether any drivers are out of date. Colorful explanation marks next to the component name will confirm that the driver for that component should be updated. A green tick indicates that the driver is up to date already.

The processor clock speed, installed RAM memory and the operating system are displayed in the footer of the application window.

There is also an interesting option to either backup or restore drivers that have been installed.

Installation

The installation package comes with two components: 3DP Chip and nProtect AVS3.0. The latter is not pre-selected so it won't install if the user is not paying too much attention when running through the installation process. However, it is an unrelated “virus and malware protector” that is supposedly affiliated with BitDefender.

Later in the installation, the Baidu PC Faster adware package is pre-selected and takes two de-selections to avoid installing it with 3DP Chip. So the creators of 3DP Chip have outdone themselves with bundling in two pieces of unnecessary software.

Other than this, the installation went smoothly.

3DP Chip requires Windows OS.

Interface

The colorful interface has tabbed navigation at the top for Home, Driver, Q&A/Bug, and Update. There are three extra icon buttons to the right of the tab navigation. Below this is the screen of information and options relating to whatever tabbed section the user is currently looking at.

The printed text is using a small font which doesn't seem to be able to enlarge, so even on a 19-inch LCD display the information conveyed inside the app wasn't as clear as it might have been. People using a 10-inch netbook or Windows tablet may have a few issues (at least the tablet users can pinch to zoom) to resolve the issue.

There are also several button icons that are not clear what they might be for based on the tiny graphic and lack a hover text to indicate their purpose without the user having to click them by trial and error.

The interface is easy to use with no instructions really necessary.

Pros

• Check for the latest software drivers for hardware components
• Attractive interface with simple navigation, attractive use of color and visual alerts to show drivers which are out of date

Cons

• Bundles in two types of adware one of which has to be intentionally de-selected twice to avoid it installing with 3DP Chip.

Alternatives

SlimDrivers Free or the paid version may be a better option. The software lacks the adware and has more readable information. Drivers have to updated one at a time in the free version, but otherwise it is a good free alternative.

Conclusion

3DP Chip is a useful software driver scanner and updater that can help to identify components and ensure that they have the very latest drivers. Package does come with two adware additions one of which needs to be de-selected to not install it.