System Spec 3.11

Overview

System Spec is a system information tool that provides a wealth of excellent information about the internals of a given PC.

This utility has a toolbar with access to internal readouts of all major specifications. This includes personal information, RAM memory, display info, disk info, CPU info, BIOS info, etc. There are 22 individual buttons which provide a wealth of useful information. With the CPU button, it is possible to bring up a separate CPU meter which keeps an eye on CPU usage and displays a bar chart in real-time.

There is also access provided to numerous Windows features directly from the menu system. Scanning disks, defragging, control panel applet access... you name it, it is here. Therefore, there is a clear dividing line between the toolbar which provides informational access and the menu system which gets the user directly into many of the Windows system features.

The level of detail provided with system information is quite extensive. For instance, the RAM memory tool lets the user know the manufacturer of each RAM chip currently installed in the PC, its capacity, speed, type, currently used and available memory, plus the virtual space too.

The tool is likely to be much more useful that tooling around with the Control Panel and System Devices when it comes to providing information and quick access to important aspects of Windows functionality which can then be modified.

Installation

The app is portable and so it does not need to be installed. This is handy because it can then be placed on a USB flash drive and used on other Windows devices without difficulty.

There was no adware, toolbars, spyware or malware included with the application.

System Spec requires Windows OS.

Interface

The interface is functional with a little bit of blue background for the categories of information shown, a black table grid used to layout the information given, and a simple row of toolbar buttons to access system information. The buttons are attractively drawn and have tool tips to let the user know what each one does before clicking on it. At the end of the toolbar row is a “Close” button to shut the application down again.

Pros

• View detailed system information on 22 areas of the PC
• Access key Windows system tools via the menus
• See what memory chips are installed
• CPU meter
• Check port availability
• Understand sound and video capabilities
• Clear interface

Cons

• With memory information, the tool does not indicate how many slots there are or what the total memory capacity of the PC does
• Information not as complete as other system information apps
• Interface could be a bit more jazzy

Alternatives

Speccy (free) is an excellent information utility that provides copious amounts of information about the computer system.

Other similar software are: System Information Viewer (free), HWMonitor (free), SIW (paid).

Conclusion

System Spec is a good system tool with solid information provided across many categories and a menu system with access to Windows features and commands.