CPUSpy - CPUID and Cache Test Utility

2K / XP

CPUSpy
Version 1.043
18 Jun 05

Written by Andrew Josef Glina for Sinner Computing using MASM32 assembly language.

EMail
Website

Program Info

CPUSpy also has an internal database of many common CPUs, supporting most AMD (tm), Intel (tm) and Transmeta (tm) processors. This can be used to compare between processors features such as bus speed, maximum frequency, cache sizes, release dates, codename, and transistor count. Interesting facts are also included for most major models. A OS database is also included for comparing past current and future versions of Windows as well as information on you computers drives.

Processor data can be saved in a HTML report file providing an easy way to extract data from a PC and analyse it later.

Tested on

Win98SE
WinME
WinNT4
Win2000
WinXP

Installation

Run "Setup.exe" and follow the instructions. To remove CPUSpy, use the "Add/Remove Programs" option in the Control Panel.

Use

CPUSpy upon loading will automatically display your processor type if it is in the database. (If it is not known, then the CPUID numbers only will be shown. If this is the case then please EMail me your report and I will add it to the database straight away.) A few seconds later (3 being the default) CPUSpy will display the approximate frequency that you CPU's core is running at. (Time is needed to count the number of clock cycles, with 3 seconds generally being enough for a accurate number.) What you do next depends on what you want.

N.B. This ReadMe is not intended to explain in full detail what actual results mean. It would take too much space and would probably break several copyright laws. If you want more detail then we recommend that you visit the CPU manufacturers site. All this file explains is use of the program itself.

Main

The main window displays the core details of the processor.

Flags A & Flags B

Displayed on these pages are the feature flags of the processor. These indicates what features the processor has and what ones are enabled. The flags on page A (EDX) are supported by most processors in varying degrees, as are the first (ECX) group on page B. However, the extended flags are currently not supported by Intel processors, and probably will never be.

Cache (L1, L2 & L3)

These pages display detailed information about the make-up of the CPUs cache. They are displayed in the order that the processor reports it. Level 3 Cache data, if any, is prefixed with "L3" in the "Type" section. Pentium CPUs, among others, do not support Cache Data reporting, however, the CPU database will probably have the L1 data there.

Database

When looking for data, it is only necessary to enter in L2 data if there is no other way to differentiate between types. Other than that, looking for a CPU is simply a matter of selecting the combo boxes from top to bottom and then pressing the "Find" button. If the processor details match then the description of the model type will be shown beside the "Model" window, and the processor name and code name will be shown at the top. The database can also be browsed via the Prev / Next buttons. In addition, for most new processors further data is shown in the "Stats" box. It is important to stress that this data is simply drawn from the database and has no relation to the current processor. The values shown are the maximum supported, and the date is the first version that was available for the public, not it's first test appearance. (This can be up to a few years difference in some cases.)

If you wish to go back to the details of the installed processor press the "Reset" button.

OS

Here is shown extended OS details for most Windows version.

Drives

Here is shown basic information on all drives.

Settings / Help

This tab shows basic system information such as Windows Version, memory usage, IP address and Windows Uptime. Also on this tab is:

The cache test takes approximately six seconds to run and provides a rough picture of the computers ability to buffer memory in its cache. Please note that this does not in any way test for faults or lack thereof in your cache. It is simply a benchmark. In short, the Cache test runs a manipulating routine using 12 different size memory blocks and sees how many times it can run the routine in half a second. The higher the number the better the ability. What you should see is a drop in speed at roughly the size of your various cache levels. (We are most interested in seeing any result to this test as the intention is to include in later versions the ability to compare test results.)

Programmers Notes

I hoped to do a major version before 2005 but all I had time for was a few tweaks. It was one of those years. Unfortuntly nothing has changed since then and CPUSpy is still needing a major revision and time really isn't there. However, if your processor is incorrectly identified please EMail me with your report and what CPU you have and I will correct it.

CPUSpy started from my confusion over the P4's small L1 cache size and I intended to spend only a day on it. However I got a bit carried away and a month later I had a program that I decided that I might as well release! (I am still confused incidentally, more later.) While writing CPUSpy I realised that most programs of this type are not clear with what the numbers actually mean, so I added the database section so people can see what values change with each processor. However this means a lot of typing and research and it take a while to track down some of the information. Thus, CPUSpy has support for most AMD, Transmeta and Intel processors and no more.

Since CPUSpy is largely a database I have two version numbers for this program; a version number and a database number. The database number can be found by looking at CPUSpy's file properties. I try to add to the database every month, but I have been a bit busy lately. The last few versions have been largely minor updates, but I want to add Cryix / Via chips soon.

I have large plans for this program, but it does depend on the popularity of the program if I actually will do them all. In particular I wish to increase the testing ability of CPUSpy and have a collection of data stored internally of various processors. For this reason I am very interested in all report files. When I get enough I will add a "Test" tab to allow comparing of data, possibly using graphics.

History

Licence and Registration

Permission is given to evaluate CPUSpy for a period of 30 days. After this time you are required to either register or remove CPUSpy. Permission is given for all forms of distribution, including CD compilations and Websites, providing the ZIP file is unaltered and it is made clear that CPUSpy is a Shareware program and that registration is required for continued usage. Full terms are on the FAQ page on our website.

CPUSpy can be registered using PayPal, Reg.Net or Mail. For details on the terms of our licenses and of our Buy-Three-Get-All policy please refer to the FAQ page.

Single User
PayPal $7.50 USD
Reg.Net $7.50 USD Bulk deals are also available here.
Mail, Cash $7.50 USD or $10 AUD	Postal details in About box
Mail, Australian Cheque $10 AUD
Mail, Non-Australian Cheque $14.95 USD or $19.95 AUD
Site
PayPal $100 USD
Reg.Net $100 USD
Mail, Cash or Cheque $100 USD or $75 AUD	Postal details in About box

Liability

Sinner Computing accepts no liability for this software to the maximum extent allowable by law. Installing this software is the decision of the installer, and signifies that you agree with this liability statement. Thus, any unintentional damage/loss caused by the use of this software is not in any way Sinner Computing's responsibility, even if it is Sinner Computing's fault. This includes, but is not limited to, physical damage, or loss of income/time. If at any time you do not find these conditions agreeable you are required to remove this software.

Contact

Advice/insults (on the subject of the program, not the programmer) are always welcome. While Registered users receive priority support, currently all EMails are responded to as fast as possible. People who EMail can also be added to a newsletter list and be informed of the newest version. Simply send an EMail with "SpyADD" in the subject. (The address is at the top of this file and also in the program itself in the "About" window.) To be removed from this list, write an EMail with "SpyREMOVE" in the subject. Sinner Computing does not give out your EMail address to anyone.