If you're a serious gamer then you'll need some help to get the most out of your system and ensure your graphics card is performing to the peak of it's abilities.

Game Gain 2 is the latest version of this popular gaming assistant which attempts to take gaming to the next level. It can help you enjoy games like you never have done before by using those parts of your processor and graphics card that had formerly laid dormant. The program is remarkably easy to use requiring just the tweaking of a few throttles and switches to blast your PC into the gaming stratosphere. However, you should use this utility with caution because it does change registry settings that could unbalance your system if your registry is already damaged. It works by making direct changes to system registry and system files to enhance memory, screen drawing, animations, refresh rates, CPU threading speeds. However the developers assure that it only optimises based on the capabilities of your system and won't try and push it past anything it can't handle. If you do experience problems afterwards, the system analyzer should help remedy them.

A great tool for gamers although if you've got the latest Intel Quad processors, you'll probably have little use for it.

Download GameGain 2.7.7.2008 in Softonic

SpeedFan is a freeware program that monitors voltages, fan speeds and temperatures in computers with hardware monitor chips. SpeedFan can even access S.M.A.R.T. info for those hard disks that support this feature and show hard disk temperatures. SpeedFan supports SCSI disks too. SpeedFan can even change the FSB on some hardware (but this should be considered a bonus feature).

At the lowest level, SpeedFan is a hardware monitor software that can access temperature sensors, but its main feature is that it can change fan speeds (depending on the capabilities of your sensor chip and your hardware) according to the temperatures inside your PC, thus reducing noise and power consumption.

Download SpeedFan 4.35 in Softonic

The all-new GameBoost 1 sets the standard for PC and internet optimizing software. Based on the developers GameGain and Throttle products; GameBoost increases overall speed and squeezes out every last bit of performance your computer and internet connection is capable of.

Very easy to use, fully compliant with all versions of Microsoft Windows and adjusts itself to your computer specifications. Take your existing PC and internet connection to new levels to run games faster. Bring your gaming to the next level.

Download Gameboost 1.4.7.2008 in Softonic

Adobe Reader SpeedUp is a simple application that was created to help make the loading time of Adobe's Acrobat Reader software bearable for everyday use. AR SpeedUp only needs to be used once (a process taking only a few seconds) and then your Reader will be transformed forever. There are also some tweaking options available.

Download Adobe Reader SpeedUp 1.36 in Softonic

There are so many graphics cards and chipsets nowadays that compatibility problems with software inevitably arise. PowerStrip provides advanced, multi-monitor, programmable hardware support to a wide range of graphics cards - from the Matrox Millennium I to the latest ATI X850 and NVidia SLI solutions.

The developers claim this is the only program of its type to support multiple graphics cards from multiple chipset vendors, simultaneously, under every Windows operating system from Windows 95 to the x64-bit edition of XP. A simple menu pop up from the system tray provides access to some 500 controls over your display hardware, including color correction tools, period level adjustments over screen geometry, and driver independent clock controls.

The program automatically detects when programs are launched and responds by activating specific display settings, gamma adjustments, performance switches and even clock speeds - returning everything to normal when the program closes. A quick setup wizard gets you up and running with minimal fuss and and live updates are supported to ensure you're always running the latest release.

If you've had problems with games or compatibility issues with other software, look no further than PowerStrip.

Download PowerStrip 3.82.632 in Softonic

WinRescue backs up the Registry and important configuration files, packs the Registry, troubleshoots problems, provides fivefold protection from system crashes, and backs up files.

Five Backup Types:

• Full Backup backs up all of the specified files.
• Incremental Backup only backs up files that have changed since the last Full or Incremental backup. Backed up files will not be backed up again until they change.
• Differential Backup only backs up files that have changed since the last Full or Incremental backup. Backed up files will be backed up again on the next Backup.
• Replace opens up the Backup File and replaces any of the specified files that are different.
• Full (Archive not reset) Backup backs up all of the specified files, but does not reset the Archive attribute (this is for programs like Quicken which do not like the attributes of their files changed).

Four Tools in One: Crash Fixer, RegPack, File Backup, and Troubleshooter. Don't spend hours reinstalling Windows XP, restore in minutes with WinRescue XP. Defrag the Registry with RegPack. Back up files, directories, and types of files. Fix problems with the Troubleshooters.

Download WinRescue XP 1.08 in Softonic

One thing that really annoys me about Windows is the limited Add-Remove software tool which seems both cumbersome and often ineffective.

It takes ages to show you what programs are installed and even when it does, it doesn't show you everything that should be on there anyway. Safarp however is a much better lightweight alternative that makes uninstalling and removing programs much simpler. It displays a list of all the installed programs on your PC and allows you to uninstall and repair them as you would with Windows.

However, much more than this, it also offers a search tool (something desperately missing from Windows) which allows you to search through installed programs and identify a specific one that you'd like to remove or repair. This saves so much time when you've got lots of programs installed. However, it's ineffective when the program installed is under a different name - say it's prefaced by the name of the developer or something - although it's better than nothing.

What's also great is that it can automatically detect entries that are obsolete or no longer on your system and remove them from your programs list if the original unstaller failed to do so. However, be very careful what you remove - some entries may seem erroneous but they can perform vital functions and so it's always best to Google or double check what they are before you remove them.

If you're frustrated with Windows Add/Remove interface, then you'll find Safarp a breath of fresh air.

Download Safarp 0.5 in Softonic

The all-new PcMedik 6 sets the standard for PC optimizing software. One of the first products to enhance PC performance, it increases overall speed and squeezes out every last bit of performance your computer is capable of.

PcMedik also locates and repairs problems with software and hardware incompatibilities which lead to computer performance issues. Very easy to use, fully compliant with all versions of Microsoft Windows and adjusts itself to your computer specifications. Take your existing PC and revitalize it the easy way.

Download PCMedik 6.7.7.2008 in Softonic

UltraMon is a utility for multi-monitor systems, designed to increase productivity and unlock the full potential of multiple monitors.

Features:

• Efficiently move windows and maximize windows across the desktop
• Manage more applications with the Smart Taskbar
• Control application positioning with UltraMon Shortcuts
• Multi-monitor support for desktop wallpapers and screen savers
• Mirror your main monitor to secondary monitors for a presentation

Download UltraMon SDK 2.5 in Softonic

These Windows enhancements automate tasks and make Windows run faster & smoother. They clean up files and protect your privacy, backup and secure data, adjust settings, and manage and control programs according to your needs. Shutdown your system faster, or improve your Windows clock with the date and a second time zone. Powerful extensions for file management allow for fast search and replace, set file dates, create zip files, etc.

Improve your productivity with Windows, and save plenty of time with these 'gems' of easy-to-use utilities. All Ghosts are included: 2ndFolder, Backup, Clip, DeskTOP, FileDate, JumpReg, JustAWindow, Lookup, Messenger, NotePad, Password, Popup-Killer, ProfileCopy, QuickStart, Replace, Robo, SaveLayout, ScrnMan, ScreenSaver, SetColor, ShellX, ShowTime, Shredder, ShutDown, Startup, Synchronize, Timer, TrayProtect, Wash, WinControl, Zip1+Zip2+SFX, and Tower. Translations into 19 languages.

Download 12Ghosts SuperGee 8.07 in Softonic

Hare doesn't use "classic" acceleration methods, such as a few registry tweaks, and few modified settings. Hare will improve performance no matter what software you use, thanks to a revolutionary compact 88-bit Kernel, which accelerates common system instructions. In addition to that, Hare has a very complete CPU Tasking technology designed to fit your needs; Hare determines automatically what program you use, and how much CPU it must allocate to it.

Hare features a state-of-art interface, extremely easy to use. Our interface fully respects Microsoft's guidelines and is very intuitive. Most of the time, you won't have to configure Hare, since it works in background, but if you want for example to check out how much free memory you have, or if you feel like fine-tweaking Hare, you'll be delighted by its ease of use, eye-candy icons and comprehensive wizards.

Download Hare 1.5.1 in Softonic

Heavyload is inteded to stress all resources of a PC (like CPU, RAM, harddisk, network, operating system, etc.) in order to test, if it will run reliable under heavy load. This is useful for testing important NT file or database servers before using them productively, or just to check if your new PC might get too hot when used intensively. To stress your PC or server, HeavyLoad writes a large test-file to the temp folder, it allocates physical and virtual memory and it draws patterns in its window.

Download HeavyLoad 2.0 in Softonic

DBFRecovery is data recovery solution for Microsoft Visual FoxPro (.dbf) databases. DBF file format is native for dBASE and FoxBASE as well. It is useful when you think you have lost your data.

Download DBFRecovery 1.0.0725 in Softonic

File Seeker searches hard disks for files with excellent speed, accuracy and search within feature. File Seeker Version 2 now supports:

• File searching with excellent speed rate using an extremely fast algorithm
• Enhanced “search within documents” ability
• Capability of searching within 23 types of compressed files (included all known rar, zip, cab, jar…)
• Special Filters for making the search faster and more accurate
• Intuitive user interface

Download File Seeker 2.0 in Softonic

Fast, easy to use, PC speed testing and benchmarking. PassMark PerformanceTest ™ allows you to objectively benchmark a PC using a variety of different speed tests and compare the results to other computers.

Features:

• Find out if your PC is performing at its best
• Compare the performance of your machine to similar machines
• Measure the effect of configuration changes and upgrades
• Avoid paying big bucks for poor performance
• Make objective independent measurements on which to base your purchasing decision
• Use the advanced tests to create you own benchmark scenarios

Download Passmark PerformanceTest 6.1 in Softonic

BGEye displays system information on the desktop. The information is rendered as a bitmap that is temporarily set as the system wallpaper. There are two ways in which you can view the information and you may also select the elements that you wish to view; such as username, date and time, PC name, processor information, memory, disks, graphics card, etc.

Download BGEye 3.0.4.2 in Softonic

This program compares XML files. It provides several options for comprehensive comparison. Reloading files after changing any options is not necessary. The ExamXML can compare data from sources of many types, such as SQL servers and CSV files. After comparisons there are possibilities to synchronize elements, insert one element into opposite a tree and replace elements. During loading from an SQL server, the program converts data into XML.

This program can save differences between files and merge XML files. Color highlighting shows the changes so that you can view which attributes and elements have been added, modified or deleted.

Documents and differences between several files are displayed in a visual tree. The program validates XML documents against DTD/XML schema while loading the file. It also offers drag-and-drop support. ExamXML displays the XML element in a separate window, highlighting differences down to the level of elements, words or attributes. It can open XML files with external application, and normalize dates and numeric fields. Digital fields can be rounded, and date or time portions can be omitted at normalization.

Download ExamXML 4.40 in Softonic

Dependency Walker is a free utility that scans any 32-bit or 64-bit Windows module (exe, dll, ocx, sys, etc.) and builds a hierarchical tree diagram of all dependent modules. For each module found, it lists all the functions that are exported by that module, and which of those functions are actually being called by other modules. Another view displays the minimum set of required files, along with detailed information about each file including a full path to the file, base address, version numbers, machine type, debug information, and more.

Dependency Walker is also very useful for troubleshooting system errors related to loading and executing modules. Dependency Walker detects many common application problems such as missing modules, invalid modules, import/export mismatches, circular dependency errors, mismatched machine types of modules, and module initialization failures.

Download Dependency Walker 2.1 in Softonic

In a few easy steps you can make your PC run faster, cleaner and error-free with the help of a new system tool – Smart PC Professional. The software fixes stubborn errors, cleans-up space-wasting junk and debris making your PC more efficient and reliable. Special features of the new software ensure your personal privacy while surfing through the Web and protect your PC from information theft.

Download Smart PC Professional 5.3 in Softonic

The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor is a small beta application that you can run on your current Windows XP-based computer to find out if it's ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista. When you run the Upgrade Advisor, it will scan your computer and generate an easy-to-understand report of any known system and device compatibility issues, along with recommendations on how you can get your PC ready for Windows Vista. Microsoft plans to add functionality to Upgrade Advisor, such as checking how your software applications will run with Windows Vista. Download the beta version today and check this site in a few months for a new version.

Upgrade Advisor is currently a beta release and contains functionality and features that have not been thoroughly tested and may contain errors. Please consider the information that Upgrade Advisor currently provides as preliminary and check back periodically for new versions, which will include updated device information and additional functionality such as checking how your software applications will run with Windows Vista.

Download Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor 1.0 Final in Softonic