What does the "hardware monitoring" feature do on a motherboard?

[rnmcd]

What does the "hardware monitoring" feature do on a motherboard?

Is it worth the few extra dollars for a motherboard with hardware monitoring compared to the same model without hardware monitoring?

Thanks folks, rnmcd

 

[eraser]

Hardware monitoring of motherboards normally track things like cpu temperature, case temperature, speed of fan that is hooked to heatsink that is attached to cpu. It also tracks the flucuations in the various votlage settings on the computer.

Many motherboards come with an application that can be run in windows that allows you to monitor the various settings. These applications usaully allow one to set limits on the settings that are being monitored.

It is very common today for most motherboards to offer some type of hardware monitoring features. Your safest bet is just to purchase a board that does offer hardware monitoring.

Eraser

 

[Terp]

I sure each is different in some way, but mine let's me monitor system temperature, CPU temperature, and operating voltages...It comes in handy to ensure all is working properly

 

[Descend492]

but it's not always accurate, and often cannot be trusted

 

[Terp]

right ...almost like the "idiot lights" on a car. The ABIT KA7 monitor I installed from the CD-ROM was crap..said my 3.3 voltage was running at 0.37, so I was concerned...called ABIT and said they have an updated one on the site, so downloaded it an all is well...I downloaded a couple to cross-check that it is, in fact, working properly.

 

[rnmcd]

I plan on buying the ASUS K7V. One model has on-board sound and another does not...I have read (not from an official source) that the K7V WITHOUT the on-board sound doesn't have hardware monitoring.

Does anyone know if that is true?

Thanks, rnmcd