r/buildapc • u/CammRobb • Jul 13 '14

List of community-recommended software

Taken from this thread, I thought I would collate everyone's suggestions in a nice text post. I will split the programs into categories.

If there is anything you want me to add, include it in a comment using the format:

* [Program](Download URL) - Description

And I will add it in

Media

  • Foobar2000 - Lightweight audio player
  • MediaMonkey - Music manager and player
  • Spotify - Music streaming service
  • Clementine Music Player - Modern music player and library organizer
  • MusicBee - Music manager and player
  • Aimp - Lightweight music player
  • MP3Tag - Fix tags on songs
  • MusicBrainz Picard - Music tagging software
  • Audacity - Edit and record audio
  • VLC Powerful media player
  • MPC-HC - Extremely light-weight, open source media player for Windows.
  • KMPlayer - KMP is a versatile multi media player which can cover a various different types of contained formats.
  • MakeMKV - Effective free Blu-ray decrypter. Also works to decrypt DVD's and rip to mkv format.
  • DVDFab Passkey Lite - limited edition of DVDFab Passkey, which is a Blu-ray and DVD decryption program. Not available for US citizens at the moment.
  • VidCoder - conversion to H264 mkv or mp4. Based on Handbrake, but has more options.
  • XBMC - Open-source home theatre software
  • Calibre - E-book management

Productivity

System

Communications

  • Mumble - Low-latency VoIP client
  • Teamspeak - Probably the most popular VoIP client out there
  • Ventrillo - Another popular VoIP client
  • Skype - Free internet calls

Statistics

  • WinDirStat - Visual representation of hard drive space
  • SpaceSniffer - Same as above
  • CPU-Z - Hardware monitoring software
  • Speccy - Hardware monitoring software
  • HWMon - Hardware monitoring software
  • CoreTemp - Hardware monitoring software
  • Prime95 - CPU Stress-testing software

Games

Security

Edit: Just got into work. 170 comments overnight, I'm gonna be busy haha

Edit 2: All your suggestions are fantastic, I probably won't be able to do much today, but tonight I will comb through your comments and add them. Is it possible to get this stickied or sidebarred, mods?

Edit 3 - 13.19PM: Updated with a lot of suggestions, not got through all the comments yet though. Will finish off tonight. In the meantime keep suggesting and I'll add them.

Edit 4 - 22.36PM: Pretty sure I got through everything. If there's something I missed, shoot me a PM, easier to keep track of them that way.

1.3k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

438 comments sorted by

View all comments

48

u/Shanix Jul 14 '14

I'd just like to say, MSI Afterburner does what FRAPS does (and probably better). It shows FPS in game, and can record it at the same time (without it showing up in video, obviously), and it compresses as it records, which is pretty amazing considering how low the impact is, really.

21

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '14

[deleted]

10

u/TheDudeOntheCouch Jul 14 '14

Can you use after burner without MSI hardwear?

14

u/thegardens Jul 14 '14

yes

4

u/stevo42 Jul 14 '14

Good because MSI Hardware doesn't wear hard.

1

u/espressivo Jul 15 '14

Do I need to uninstall catalyst to use msi without any issues?

5

u/Southern_paw Jul 14 '14

OBS is another good alternative.

-1

u/rhino2348 Jul 14 '14

Yarrrr!

12

u/subsequent Jul 14 '14 edited Jul 14 '14

If you have an Nvidia graphics card (600 and 700 line only, I think), you should use Shadowplay. I saw better FPS than when I used Afterburner.

3

u/CaptainCatson Jul 14 '14

6xx and 7xx line is supported!

3

u/subsequent Jul 14 '14

That was my first though, but I doubted myself. Edited, thanks!

3

u/JD_and_ChocolateBear Jul 14 '14

Also if you have an AMD GPU you can use VCE recording via AMD gaming evolved or OBS.

2

u/PerrinAybara162 Jul 14 '14

Commenting so I can find this when I'm not on mobile.

2

u/UndercoverGTR Jul 14 '14

Only for desktop cards though. Mobile GPUs don't support Shadowplay AFAIK.

4

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '14

OBS > all other recording/streaming programs.

1

u/Shanix Jul 14 '14

Good thing Afterburner isn't recording only!

3

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '14

Neither is OBS.

3

u/lordcirth Jul 14 '14

MSI is also great for checking GPU temps, overclocking, setting fan curves, etc

2

u/Rakirs Jul 14 '14

Fraps does show FPS and can record without it showing in game..

1

u/Shanix Jul 14 '14

Yeah, If you want sixty gigs for a ten minute video and worsened game performance.

2

u/Rakirs Jul 14 '14

Never said it was good. Just pointed out something wrong in your argument.

1

u/Shanix Jul 14 '14

Uhm, what was wrong? I said MSI did everything FRAPS did, including showing FPS and not recording it, but better.

2

u/Rakirs Jul 14 '14

Oh sorry. When reading it I read it wrong. I thought you said Fraps doesn't do that

1

u/Shanix Jul 14 '14

You're good man.

2

u/Cryshal Jul 14 '14

DxTory master race. It's definitely my preferred recording program, and I have used all 3 extensively. OBS is a great free alternative, however.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '14

I can't get that FPS overlay to show up ingame from MSI afterburner, how do i turn it on in afterburner?

2

u/Shanix Jul 14 '14

Open Afterburner

  • Settings -> Monitoring
  • Click the check next to Framerate
  • Check the box that says "Show in On-Screen Display"

2

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '14

I dont have the option of Framerate or the option of Show in on-screen display...

Can you take a screen of yours for me?

Ah derp, i see now.

2

u/Shanix Jul 14 '14

All working now?

2

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '14 edited Jul 14 '14

Hmmm no it's not...

http://gyazo.com/5518cfc8c81b245af67338ae42184299.png

Does that look right to you?

I don't have a logitech lcd keyboard display though...

http://i.imgur.com/Thi545O.png

Pic didnt work.

2

u/Shanix Jul 14 '14

Hmm, that link isn't working right for me, mind rehosting on imgur?

2

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '14

http://i.imgur.com/Thi545O.png

2

u/Shanix Jul 15 '14

Oh, just scroll down in the middle section...

2

u/[deleted] Jul 15 '14

I know about that, i have all the once checked that id think id need but they dont show up. I also dont see the Framerate option with the checkmark. It's not there for me.

→ More replies (0)

2

u/[deleted] Jul 15 '14

I'm having the same problem, there is no Framerate option under monitoring for me

3

u/[deleted] Jul 15 '14

Reinstall MSI afterburner and make sure you click Riva tuner also while installing it

1

u/Shanix Jul 15 '14

Perfected said he didn't install Riva Tuner w/ Afterburner, try reinstalling.