Downloads the correct drivers for your hardware devices installed on your PC. Requires an active Internet connection because it queries an online server where the drivers are stored. Features a one-click operation to detect, verify the version of the installed driver and download them.
If you happen to have trouble making some of your hardware components work right, you may need to update their drivers. 3DP Chip checks your PC and provides you with the necessary information to download and install new drivers for your CPU, motherboard, video card, other multimedia components, the Ethernet card, and others.
The program comes in an extremely simple yet colorful interface, though probably too small to read the information it provides comfortably. Besides, some of the icons lack information about what they do – no messages pop up when you hover your mouse over them, and the images used are not really too informative. Some drivers are grouped under cryptic sections, such as “ETC”, and you need to click on an add sign to view them all.
These limitations in terms of interface navigation and legibility do not detract from the program’s efficiency, though. However, do not expect the program to download and install the driver for you – whenever you select one of the outdated drivers listed, you’ll be provided with a brief report in HTML format (that opens automatically on your default browser) with info about the version of the new driver and links to download the driver directly and specific links related to your Windows version. The decision to download and install one of those drivers are entirely up to you.
3DP Chip is an entirely free tool, and in that sense, it is difficult to be too hard on its many limitations. Though I’m sure you can find similar free tools on the web with a more accessible interface and surely a more extensive functionality, I don’t see any harm – either for you or your computer – in trying it out. It may well be all you always need to keep your most sensitive drivers updated at no cost.
v13.1 [Oct 23, 2013]
- Motherboard (Model name)
- [Acer Aspire One AO725] AMD A68M FCH
- [ASUS M2N68-LA (HP Narra2-GL8E)] NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430"
- [Gigabyte GA-945PL-S3P] Intel 945PL(15.2W) ICH7(3.3W)
- Video card
- AMD Radeon HD 6500 Series
- AMD Radeon HD 8450
- AMD Radeon HD 8550
- AMD Radeon R7 200 Series
- AMD Radeon R9 200 Series
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 610 (29,32W)
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 Ti OEM
- Multimedia
- AMD(ATi) HDMI Audio
- Ethernet
- Qualcomm(Bigfoot Networks) Killer Gaming Adapter
- ETC
- Bluetooth : Atheros Bluetooth Device
- Bluetooth : Bluetooth 2.1 EDR USB Device
- Bluetooth : Bluetooth Module
- Bluetooth : Broadcom BCM2045 Bluetooth 2.0 USB
- Bluetooth : Broadcom BCM92045DG-Flash
- Bluetooth : CSR Bluetooth Device
- Bluetooth : Foxconn-CPBT20CU-CSRBC4
- Bluetooth : Foxconn-CPBT22AU-CSRBC4
- Bluetooth : Foxconn-CPWB102P-CSRBC4
- Bluetooth : HP Integrated Module with Bluetooth 2.0
- Bluetooth : Ralink Motorola BC4 Bluetooth 3.0 HS
- Bluetooth : Ralink Motorola BC8 Bluetooth 3.0 HS
- ETC : Intel Management Engine Interface
- ETC : Intel Turbo Boost Technology
- Modem : Agere Systems AC97
- Mouse : USB Optical
- Reader : Texas Instruments SD Host Controller
- Reader : Tokyo Electron SD Host Controller
- Reader : Toshiba SD Host Controller
- Unknown Intel hardware (removed)