The Best HD Tach Alternative Tools for Disk Benchmarking
HD Tach, known for its low-level hardware benchmarking capabilities for various storage devices, has been a go-to for many seeking detailed performance metrics. It bypasses many software layers to get close to the physical performance of your hard drives, SSDs, and RAID arrays. While effective, users often look for modern, actively maintained, or more feature-rich alternatives. This article explores the best HD Tach alternative options available today, helping you find the perfect tool for your disk benchmarking needs.
Top HD Tach Alternatives
If you're looking to accurately measure the performance, health, or read/write speeds of your storage devices, these HD Tach alternatives offer a range of features, from simple read/write tests to in-depth SMART data analysis and even game benchmarking.
CrystalDiskMark
CrystalDiskMark is a compact hard drive benchmark utility renowned for its large, simple, and easily readable read/write results. As a free and open-source application available for Windows and PortableApps.com, it’s an excellent HD Tach alternative for those prioritizing clear, concise benchmarking and portability.
HD Tune
HD Tune is a versatile hard disk / SSD utility offering multiple functions beyond just performance measurement. Available as a freemium product for Windows, it can scan for errors, check health status via S.M.A.R.T. data, and provides linear read and read latency benchmarks, making it a comprehensive HD Tach alternative for drive diagnostics and monitoring temperature.
UserBenchMark
UserBenchmark is a free, all-in-one benchmarking application for Windows and Web that goes beyond just disk testing. It’s an excellent HD Tach alternative if you need to test your entire system's performance, including game benchmarking, GPU testing, RAM testing, and render tests, all in a portable package.
AS SSD Benchmark
Specifically designed for Solid State Drives, AS SSD Benchmark is a free Windows tool that determines your SSD's performance through several specific tests, including sequential and random read/write performance. Its portability makes it a convenient HD Tach alternative for quick, dedicated SSD analysis.
PassMark DiskCheckup
PassMark DiskCheckup is a free personal utility for Windows that focuses on monitoring the S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) attributes of a hard disk drive. This makes it a valuable HD Tach alternative for proactive disk health monitoring, helping predict potential drive failures.
Macrorit Disk Scanner
Macrorit Disk Scanner is a free, portable disk surface scanning tool for Windows that identifies bad sectors. Offering better options and performance than native Windows tools, it's a good HD Tach alternative for users specifically concerned with hardware monitoring and ensuring disk integrity.
ATTO Disk Benchmark
The ATTO Disk Benchmark is a free performance measurement tool compatible with Microsoft Windows. It allows users to measure their storage system's performance across various transfer sizes and test depths, making it a reliable and portable HD Tach alternative for detailed throughput analysis.
AJA System Test
AJA System Test is a free application included with KONA cards for Mac and Windows, designed to tune your system for optimal video performance. While less of a general-purpose disk benchmark, it serves as an HD Tach alternative for professionals needing to test disk performance specifically for high-bandwidth video workflows.
Disk Bench
Disk Bench is a free, portable Windows utility focused on measuring real-world disk performance rather than synthetic benchmarks. For users who want to know how fast their disks truly are in everyday scenarios, Disk Bench offers a practical and straightforward HD Tach alternative.
quietHDD
quietHDD is a tiny, portable system tool for Windows that allows users to adjust hard disk power saving and noise levels (AAM and APM values). While not a benchmark tool itself, it’s a useful HD Tach alternative for optimizing the operational aspects of your hard drives, especially mobile disks with aggressive energy-saving settings.
Whether you're looking for a simple read/write test, in-depth SMART data analysis, or comprehensive system benchmarking, these HD Tach alternative tools offer a wide range of functionalities. Explore their features and choose the one that best fits your specific disk testing and monitoring requirements.