Day: 24 July 2005

CPU-Z: freeware detection software

Here’s an amazing piece of freeware software for identifying your PC’s CPU, motherboard and memory: CPU-Z.

CPU-Z screenshot

CPU-Z runs on just about any version of Microsoft Windows from Windows 95 to XP, and beyond (including 64-bit versions); and gathers the following information:

  • Processor name and vendor
  • Core stepping and process
  • Processor package
  • Processor current core voltage
  • Internal and external clocks, clock multiplier
  • Partial overclock detection
  • Processor features, including supported instructions sets.
  • L1 to L3 cache information : location, size, speed, technology.
  • Motherboard information : name, vendor, BIOS, chipset, memory, AGP.
  • Memory information : size, type, timings, specifications.

Perfect for finding out exactly what kind of RAM upgrade your Mum’s PC might need, for example. I’m betting on PC133 SDRAM, based on what I think the motherboard is: a SiS 730. Answers on the blog tomorrow. (I just know you can’t wait!)

Update: Monday 25 July 2005
Mum’s PC is now safely back here in Edinburgh. I’ve unscrewed the case, removed the memory module and … drum roll … it’s a PC133 SDRAM DIMM Module.

Well done me.

It was all going so well, too

Today was going so well, too. And then:

  1. We went to Ikea and Argos out at Straiton. Bad mistake. I’m usually too holy-ed out on Sunday afternoon to go shopping, but we needed some bits and pieces for the Cellardyke house (we have guests going in there tomorrow). Never again! Never again on a Sunday, at least. There were … counts … yes, there were a hundred million billion people there. Someone even tooted at me in their car, when I was about to crash into them. I say ‘crash’ I was almost 10 feet away from them, driving in completely the opposite direction.
  2. I discovered that we appeared to have bought a disposable Flymo hedge trimmer. I say ‘disposable’, but what I really mean is RUBBISH! We’ve used it 3 times, and on the third time it broke. Today. The motor burned out, and the switch snapped. It’s not like we’ve been trimming Hampton Maze with it!
  3. England lost the first npower test (cricket) to Australia today. They lost their last five wickets for only 22 runs. That’s RUBBISH (part 2). (Remember, I’m half-English … but only when it comes to supporting cricket.)

Still, I’ve been to church today and so at least I know that the Lord Jesus still loves me. Even if shoppers at Ikea and Argos don’t; our Flymo hedge trimmer wants to frustrate me; and the England cricket team … sighs.