What are the most effective hardware diagnostic tests for identifying bottlenecks?

3 GPU Test

A GPU test is a test that measures the graphics power and speed of your graphics processing unit (GPU). It can help you determine if your GPU is the bottleneck of your system, especially if you play high-end games or use graphics-intensive software that require a lot of GPU resources. You can use a free tool like GPU-Z or FurMark to run a GPU test and compare your results with other GPUs of similar specifications. If your GPU score is significantly lower than the average, you may need to upgrade your GPU or tweak its settings to improve its performance.

4 Storage Test

A storage test is a test that evaluates the speed and performance of your storage devices, such as your hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD). It can help you identify if your storage is the bottleneck of your system, especially if you experience long boot times, slow file transfers, or sluggish loading times. You can use a free tool like CrystalDiskMark or HD Tune to run a storage test and measure your storage's read and write speeds. If your storage speed is significantly lower than the average, you may need to upgrade your storage or defragment it to optimize its performance.

5 Network Test

A network test is a test that assesses the speed and quality of your internet connection. It can help you identify if your network is the bottleneck of your system, especially if you use online services or applications that require a stable and fast internet connection. You can use a free tool like Speedtest or Pingtest to run a network test and measure your network's download, upload, latency, and jitter. If your network speed or quality is significantly lower than the average, you may need to upgrade your network or troubleshoot it to fix any issues.

6 System Monitor

A system monitor is a tool that tracks and displays the usage and performance of your system's hardware components in real time. It can help you identify if any of your hardware components are the bottleneck of your system, especially if you notice any spikes, drops, or abnormalities in their activity. You can use a built-in tool like Task Manager or Resource Monitor on Windows or a third-party tool like HWMonitor or Open Hardware Monitor to run a system monitor and observe your system's behavior. If any of your hardware components are consistently running at high or low levels, you may need to adjust your system settings or upgrade your hardware to balance your system's load.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?