14 DAY TRIAL // SpeedUpMyPC
This component of the suite has been built specifically to cut off the weight dragging down your system’s performance. It looks for specific tweaks that can be delivered to your system without destabilizing it in any way, and applies them if they haven’t been already. The optimization toolset includes some speed tools, but also the good old riddance of junk files, like Internet Explorer cache or Windows temporary files.
Although skeptics doubt it, SpeedUpMyPC has a positive impact on the system, making it more responsive to your commands. Just like in the case of RegistryBooster, no complicated options will hinder working with the software and the entire optimization process is completely automated. After the assessment completes, you can proceed straight to applying all the tweaks and eliminating all the clutter.
However, you have the possibility to choose which of the detected issues should be corrected. Bear in mind that some of the changes include disabling unnecessary services, increasing DNS cache size, disable QoS bandwidth limit, disabling caching of failed DNS entries, etc. Among these technical modifications, there are also some options that affect the aesthetics of the operating system, such as disabling various visual effects (like smooth scrolling, show window contents while dragging).
The three speed tools in the application are called CPU Manager, Proactive thumbnail generator and software quick starter. The role of the last two is to prefetch data so that, next time you need it, folders open up faster and applications load in a shorter time. CPU Manager’s purpose is different because it watches over processes and prevents them from using huge amounts of system resources. This is achieved by automatically adjusting process priority before the resource spree occurs. If you consider the speed tools or system tweaks unhelpful, they can be disabled from the Manage menu of the application. A single click is enough to either enable or disable them.
Our experience with SpeedUpMyPC did not lead to a dramatic increase in system performance, but we can’t say that there was no positive impact on it either. Boot and shutdown times would decrease after optimization procedure was executed by 7.4%, which stood for 10 seconds in our case. Moreover, opening folders did feel a lot more responsive and took less time to happen.
DriverScanner
Drivers may not be considered priorities when talking about system optimization, but having them updated to the latest version has its benefits and definitely an impact on performance. PowerSuite 2010 brings DriverScanner to the table, a simple solution with a simple purpose: scan system for outdated drivers and offer download links to the latest versions.
The interface is in tune with the other two optimization instruments, bringing nothing new to the table. As soon as the engine finishes the search for old drivers, you are given the necessary details (latest version available, current version, device driver and age) as well as a download link. Getting them on the system is no complicated task, while you are also provided with information about the safety of driver installation (if it is signed or not). As far as settings go, in this case, the only thing you have to worry about is the storage path for the downloaded files and the maximum number of simultaneous downloads you allow.
Just like in the case of RegistryBooster, before changing anything on your computer, the application will create a system restore point. Should the new driver create problems, you can revert the system to its anterior state in no time.
In our tests, DriverScanner did its job very well and accurately pinpointed the outdated elements on our test systems, although it couldn’t offer the latest available version in all the cases. Even so, it comes in extremely handy if you want to keep an eye on the state of the system.
It does not compare to DriverMax or Device Doctor, which are both freeware and offer a lot of additional information about the new versions of the drivers. However, its inclusion in the suite increases the chances of a more responsive system.
Even if the three optimization instruments included in PowerSuite 2010 do not encompass all the tricks necessary to get the most of your computer, they take care of essential tasks that should be performed in order to freshen up your Windows. Beginner users and average ones are the target of the package as the low level of details and full automation of the optimization tasks require no effort or particular computer knowledge. However, more important is the fact that there is no danger in running the suite. Before making any modification on your computer, either a system image is snapped and stored by Windows System Restore or a backup of the current state is made. This way you can safely revert the machine to its anterior state.
None of the instruments require special computer knowledge to work with because they roll all the tasks automatically. Backups are created by default and can be used to revert the system to an earlier state. Optimization level of the computer can be read straight from the PowerSuite 2010 interface, thanks to the barometer of each application. You are also provided with the number of issues that need to be fixed. Each app in the package can be set to run an automatic scan with a user-defined frequency. DriverScanner failed to provide the latest version in the case of one driver. The suite also cuts through plenty of services and Windows options, which are dragging down the performance of the computer. Most importantly, before making any change, the applications take the time either to create a restore point or back things up, thus every modification is safe to be operated. This article is also available in Spanish: Restaura tu sistema en la gloria de su pasado (II)
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