Hard Drive Speed Test Software Mac

A Hard Disk Drive is a crucial part of a computer because it stores the operating system of your PC. Basically, it works as the brain of the computer. It also contributes to the speed of the hard drive. Despite having a high-memory and high performing CPU, without an HDD your computer will run slow. It’s especially noticeable while using the internet.

Oct 08, 2019  Our next test measures a drive's throughput in bits per second. We use the macOS-only BlackMagic Disk Speed Test app from professional media software firm DaVinci to perform this test. Therefore the only way to really make a judgement about the speed of the storage inside your Mac is to use a tool such as the BlackMagic Disk Speed Test, or the AJA System Test Lite (free from the. NovaBench is a PC benchmark software that also performs hard drive speed test.The limitation with this software is that it only displays hard drive write speed.Along with hard drive speed test, it also performs various other tests to display RAM speed, CPU operations/sec, and GPU fps. Mar 29, 2020  How to Test Hard Drive Speed on Mac Free? If you do not use a Windows computer but you have a Mac, you can also run hard drive speed tests as there are utilities available to help you do it. In fact, the tool that you are going to use in the following method to perform a hard drive speed check is much easier to use than the Windows one we. Mar 16, 2020 In Windows, you can manually check the S.M.A.R.T. Status of your drives from the Command Prompt. Just right-click the Start menu, select Run, and type 'cmd' or type 'cmd' into the search bar. Aug 04, 2019 How to Test Hard Drive Speed on a Mac? To test your HDD, you’re going to need a third-party program, since this functionality isn’t built into macOS. Two of the most popular are BlackMagic and NovaBench, so we’ll show you how to use both. For context, most modern hard drives have read speeds averaging 120 Mbps and write at 128 Mbps.

Computer lags also affect multitasking capabilities and that’s the entire purpose why high-performance Hard Drives are in demand. You can also consider upgrading hard drives for improved computer performance. But these days you can check the speed and performance of the hard drive using a benchmarking software. The best benchmarking software is usually free to use.

Here’s a rundown of some of the free tools to measure hard drive performance of your Windows 10 PC.

Hard

CrystalDiskMark

CrystalDiskMark is another trusted disk benchmark program that estimates the speed of the sequential read/write, selects test data, supports themes and multiple languages, and more. The best part about the software is that operates through the setup process pretty quick. Apps in mac storage taking all space x. There isn’t much to configure, except the root directory.

Moreover, it helps you to get acquainted with your HDD, therefore it has the ability to estimate sequential and random read/write speeds. At the same time, it also displays complete details to user using a straightforward interface. The app is extremely user-friendly allowing all the test results to show up on the primary window.

The program basically, requires just a few minutes to carry out all the benchmarks. Hit the start button after closing all the apps and you get the best results. What’s more? The program does not stress your RAM and processor a lot, however, it’s good to not have any docs open while the program carries out the test.

Price: free

My HDD Speed

My HDD Speed is one of the best free hard drive benchmarking tools that tracks the speed and performance of all your hard drives in real-time. It also displays the read and write activity in a small desktop window. The tool not just tracks the mechanical hard drives, but also the latest SSDs. Given that SSDs come with super-fast read and write speeds and your system is recently upgraded to an SSD, this tool would detect the speed of the new hardware also. The best part is, the latest SSDs are relatively faster compared to its predecessors.

My HDD Speed is compact; however, the newer version features an installer with added software and registration as options. You can decline that and rather open the zipped file and click on it. Once clicked, a small window will open in the upper left end of the desktop. This can be dragged around the screen as well. This display that more looks like a gadget, is placed on a transparent background, so it mixes well. if your system comes with two disk drives such as boot drive as SSD, and large HDD divided into two more drives, the tool will pull up all three in chronological order. Each drive is indicated with an arrow that light up to indicate when data is read or written to the disk.


Each of the lines would also indicate both read and write actions in KB/s. As you right click on the tool’s window or on the system tray image, it opens a menu that lets you run a scan again on your drives, fix the HDD refresh speed, and even Autostart with Windows, and so on.

Price: free

CPU-Z

CPU-Z is a free tool to measure hard drive performance that collects details on some of the major devices on your system such as:

Hard Drive Speed Test Windows 10

  • The name and number of the processor, cache levels, codename, process, etc.;
  • from the mainboard and the chipset;
  • size and type of memory, schedules, and module details;
  • real time estimation of the internal and memory frequency of each core.

It cuts off a lot of technical and manual searching and produces a list of information that’s useful for the computer fans. The interface is a lot simple with ideally no command images. The program offers rich information that looks like reading a report. Although its heavily data based, those who like attention to details will love it.

From your motherboard’s chipset to the technical details of the clock, the interface comes with seven tabs. It also offers all details related to the PC memory, graphics, cache, and SPD that are easy to find. Overall, the tool features all details in tables containing highly technical names and numbers in easy to read format.

Computer Speed Test Mac

Price: free

ATTO Disk Benchmark

The Disk Benchmark software by ATTO helps estimate performance of the storage system by running a range of tests to identify speed of the hard disk. It’s one of the leading tools used in the industry that establishes performance in hard drives, SSDs, and more.

Unlike many of the benchmark tools with hosts of features and highly complicated applications, ATTO Disk Benchmark is easy to use and offers faster configuration. Free 2d animation software for mac. It comes with a simple interface, yet detailed help options with specifications for each and every feature. All its useful utilities are packed in one single window that helps pre-testing configuration to be completed in the minimum possible time.

To run the test, you must select a drive you want to access, size of the transfer, total length, and then take a call if you want to utilize force write access and direct I/O. Once the test is over, the tool generates the test results in a professional manner, straight inside the main window. The results feature exhaustive graph and read/write statistics. Moreover, it also allows you to save results to a file or even get a print out. You can transfer files from 512KB size to 8MB and from 64KB length to 2GB. It allows continuous testing via time mode, while it offers several pre-defined settings through I/O option.

The reports generated can be saved or printed right from within the application. You can do this using a dedicated tool that helps open a report created in the past and evaluate it on the fly. Overall, it’s one of the easiest ways to measure the speed of a hard disk.

Price: free

HWMonitor

HWMonitor, a hardware monitoring software, reads a computer’s main health sensors such as, the fan speed, voltage, and the temperature. The tool also manages most common sensor chips such as, ITE® IT87 series, most Winbond® ICs, etc. It basically monitors your PC’s vital statistics that includes the temperature of different components and the existing incoming voltages. This helps keep your machine safe from any overheating possibilities or any mechanical faults.

All the data captured by the software is presented in one simple presentation. Also, apart from the existing readings for all your PCs, it also shows you the suggested highest and lowest of each category to offer you a reference structure. Moreover, this software also updates all the data evaluations it shows in real-time. Overall, this program is without much added features, but it does exactly what it promises.

Price: Free

HD Tach

While majority of the benchmark tools create a file on the HDD and perform the test inside the file, HD Tach works a bit differently in comparison. Latest hard drives use a zone bit recording method that permits multiple read speeds based on the data location and that’s a problem. Data located on the exterior of the drive is relatively faster than the data located inside.

What’s interesting about HD Tach is that it reads from all sections of the hard drive and delivers an average speed. Moreover, it also documents the read speeds to a text file that can be noted on a spreadsheet and graph. This makes it easy to view and read the test results. While HD Tach does sequential reading, it also test’s the drive’s random-access time (actual measure of seek speed).

What’s more? This tool also tests the burst speed of the drive which is the speed where the data can be accessed from the drive’s on-board read-ahead memory. This estimates the drive speed and controller interface. The registered version features write testing and supports Windows NT/2000.

Price: free to try

AS SSD Benchmark

AS SSD Benchmark is a lightweight and handy hard drive performance measurement tool that uses copy and compression tests to analyse the performance of your SSD. It’s a simple benchmark tool with a clean user interface that shows the read/write speed of the chosen SSD in a table format. Moreover, it requires no installation and so, it does not affect the system registry in any form.

It detects all the SSD connected to your device automatically and the software lets you select the one you want to test. It offers multiple test cases, viz., you can perform three tests here – the “SEQ” test, 4K test, and calculating the access time of the SSD. Your computer picks up the scores for the read/write speed along with the global score based on test results.

The program also comes equipped with copy and compression benchmark tests that can offer a clear image of what your SSD can perform. You can also save the test outcomes by either exporting the data to an XML file or record it using the “Screenshot” option.

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Price: free

Anvil’s Storage Utilities

Anvil’s Storage Utilities is a dynamic benchmarking tool that’s designed to offer an easy way of evaluating the read and writer performance of your HDD or SSD. The tool helps you track and analyse the unit response time and also, view the system details gathered with the WMI – Windows Management Instrumentation.

You can perform a benchmark test directly by choosing a drive from the top right end of the menu. You can even check the settings first to ensure that all the configurations are set correct. Here you can replicate a compression level of the test file, e.g. database, application or uncompressed, and also check if you’d like to use the same test file on continuous runs or produce a new one each time.

The software shows both MB and IOPS, which most of equivalent benchmarks do not. The program comes with a convenient screenshot button that can be used to create a screenshot of a test outcome. Also, an option to transfer the Trim command to a drive can be created.

Hard Drive Speed Test Software Mac

Price: free

SiSoftware Sandra Lite

SiSoftware Sandra Lite comes with an attractive interface with a plethora of colors. The tools are neatly arranged in categories for easy access for the users such as, Computer Maintenance, Module Types (Benchmarks, Hardware, Software, Support), and Program Maintenance. The categories are placed in each tab located on top of the window matching the icons and each of these tabs offer access to a collection of focused tools.

Hard Drive Speed Test Software Mac

Moreover, you can choose from the comprehensive list of choices of items that can be tested. The tests are run automatically without the user being informed what is getting tested. You can easily find out devices, peripherals and processes to be tested using the options list. With this, you don’t have to wait for the software to perform a complete test using the entire system. The benchmarking and the reporting features are also commendable.

Price: free to try; pro version starts from $49.99

Speccy

Speccy is lightweight, fast, and an avant-garde system information program for your computer that helps you find what’s inside your PC. It pulls up a quick summary, or let you get a deep insight of every aspect of your computer’s hardware in order for you to make n upgrade or purchase with complete information. It offers exhaustive information on each single piece of your PC hardware. It saves the time that you would otherwise spend on looking for data related to CPU, motherboard, RAM, graphics cards and more.

It also displays real-time temperatures of critical components so that you can effortlessly pinpoint issues before their occurrences. What’s more? You can also save your scan outputs straight away as XML, text files, or as a snapshot.

Price: free

While there are a hots of benchmarking tools available online, not every tool offers you the best results. Choose from the above list of free tools to measure hard drive performance and keep your hard drive in the top condition round the year.

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All the data your MacBook uses to operate is stored in a single location: the drive. For many users, this specifically means a hard drive (HDD), which is a physical disk the spins at very high speeds to access chunks of data.

If you’re using a newer Mac, you probably have a solid-state drive (SSD, or flash storage), which is completely electronic with no mechanical parts and thus does not spin.

To check whether your MacBook is with an HDD or SSD, click on the Apple icon on the top left of your screen, select About This Mac, and select Storage.

Hard drive performance is measured in two categories: read speeds and write speeds. The former is a measure of how fast you can open something that already exists, while the latter is how fast you can add something new to your computer’s drive.

Why Should I Test Hard Drive Speed?

Measuring your hard drive speed is one of the easiest and most effective ways to benchmark your MacBook. The data you get by testing will provide a standard to measure customizations such as added extra RAM or drive replacements against, and will also tell you if you need an upgrade in the immediate future.

Knowing your hard drive speed can also help you determine if you’ll be able to run certain programs (such as heavy creative software) effectively or if you don’t have the necessary read and write speeds.

How to Test Hard Drive Speed on a Mac?

To test your HDD, you’re going to need a third-party program, since this functionality isn’t built into macOS. Two of the most popular are BlackMagic and NovaBench, so we’ll show you how to use both.

For context, most modern hard drives have read speeds averaging 120 Mbps and write at 128 Mbps.

Blackmagic Disk Speed Test

First, you’ll need to download BlackMagic from the Mac App Store (it’s completely free!). Once it is installed, launch the app.

If you only have one hard drive (if you’re not sure, then you probably just have one), all you have to do is hit “START” since the program only has one window.

If you do have more than one drive (such as an external drive), you can navigate to FILE > SELECT TARGET DRIVE to choose which one you would like to test, and how strenuously. You can also CTRL + CLICK or right-click with a mouse to bring up a small menu.

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Whichever you choose, your results will be shown on the two large gauges at the top of the window. Since Blackmagic was created for video editors, underneath the main measurements is a series of tables for those creative professionals who need to know what their computer is capable of. If you’re not in that business, however, you can ignore these and focus on your overall speeds instead.

NovaBench

First, download Novabench from the official website or the Mac App Store. The basic version is free, but you can also upgrade to Pro to access more tools if you like the application.

Once you’ve downloaded and installed, open the program and choose “start tests” from the splash screen. There may be a pop up advising you to close other applications, and then NovaBench will proceed with testing.

Once completed, the test results will be saved with the date and time in the application, and you can view them at any time from the NovaBench start screen.

What to Do If My Disk Speed is Slow?

If your hard drive doesn’t seem to be performing up to par, there are a few things you can do to keep your data safe and your MacBook running at its best.

1. Replace the drive

This is the most effective way to get your computer back in order, but it isn’t the best option for everyone. If your MacBook was made after 2013, you probably don’t have this option at all since models made after this point cannot be opened without voiding the warranty. Additionally, the MacBook Air has never been able to be modified.

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Sata Hard Drive Speed Test

If you want to replace your drive, you have two options: buy another HDD, or upgrade to an SSD. A new HDD will be cheaper and get you more space for your money but will eventually face the same problems as your current drive. An SSD will offer significantly faster speed and you can consider one of these SSD upgrades for MacBook we listed.

2. Supplement Your Drive

Not sure about replacing the entire drive or physically can’t do it? You can get an external HDD or SSD that plugs in with USB. It will work in tandem with your existing drive and can be a great fall back in case your drive fails or needs a little extra help.

If this sounds like the right solution for you, check out our list of the best external drives for MacBook Pro.

3. Backup Your Data

Since slow read/write speeds could be a sign of the impending death of your hard drive, it’s a good idea to make sure your computer is completely backed up. You’ll need at least as much storage space on the cloud platform (we recommend Google Drive or Dropbox) or an external drive of your choice as you’re currently taking up on your computer.

Then, you can copy your entire library of files, images, videos, and more to this backup location. Many cloud services also offer an automatic backup service, so you never have to worry about accidentally missing your recent files in the event of a hard drive failure. Additionally, getting excess files off your overworked hard drive could help increase its speed.

Final Words

Testing your MacBook hard drive is something everyone should be doing at least occasionally. It provides valuable data for future reference, helps you understand how your computer is functioning and is a good indicator of when it may be time to upgrade a few things.

Atto Hard Drive Speed Test

How has testing your MacBook’s drive speed turned out? Leave us a comment below and tell us what you’ve done with the information you discovered!