I am in love with the KDE System Monitor widgets. They were, of all things, what truly cemented the Linux switch for me.

I used Aquasuite on Windows to control my watercooling, and it can set up a vast amount of widgets on your background for easy monitoring of temps and other values. It will not run on Linux.

The KDE widgets give me basically the same experience, although missing a few things. It’s enough that I’m happy with it, and I can check temperature and flow rates at a glance if something starts acting fucky.

Honestly, if you are just getting a torque wrench for spark plugs (and any other BASIC projects at home) any brand will do. Just make sure it has the torque range you need.

I recommend “click type” because they are easy to operate correctly, and easy to take care of. Seriously, read the manual that comes with it, and follow the steps everytime. If you do this, it will last you a long time.

I bought my two torque wrenches from Harbor Freight for about $10 each. Torquing frame bolts or spark plugs? No problem. Would I use them for valve train or engine internals? Absolutely not.

If you don’t want to go the cheap route, go to any big box store like Home Depot or Lowe’s (US) and anything name brand will do, as long as it has the torque range you need.

Works fine, but I often have to go to the website to get the latest update. F-Droid takes a while to catch up.

KDE is amazing. When I started messing with Linux, I tried Mint Cinnamon, which is nice, but just didn’t tick all of my personal boxes. Tried Arch, had no idea what I was doing. Ended up trying Nobara with GNOME. Really hated the “Apple” feel. Everything seemed out of place. Later tried Nobara KDE, and I have been there ever since.

KDE allows me desktop widgets for monitoring my watercooling hardware and internal temps. And everything feels right.