CrystalDiskInfo gives you a complete readout of all your computer’s SMART information, as well as a current temperature and health status. From its dashboard, you can quickly see a long list of up-to-date system data, so you know when things are going well, and if it seems like something is going wrong.

PROS

Alerts and options:You can configure the program to send you Alerts in the event that there is a problem in one of the systems being monitored. You can turn on Sound Alerts or Mail Alerts, and you can also adjust how frequently the program refreshes its data. Other preference options include selecting how long the program waits to open after startup, and turning on or off the auto-detection feature.

Clear interface: This program provides a clear interface that makes it easy to find what you’re looking for. The computer’s Temperature and general Health Status are displayed prominently at the top, and the lower part of the interface includes a list of all the SMART information the program is gathering.

CONS

No explanations: Unless you already know what you’re looking at and what you’re looking for in this app, you’re not going to get much out of it. There is no Help feature to accompany the program, and there are no explanations for any of the data displayed.

BOTTOM LINE

CrystalDiskInfo is a great, free option if you have a good level of computer knowledge and want to stay on top of what’s going on with your system at all times. The interface is clear and clean, and the multiple configuration options let you see exactly what you want, when you want.