Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, umtsmarttool.com earns from qualifying purchases. Links to Amazon on this page are affiliate links; they cost you nothing extra.

“What are your specs?” is the question every game requirement list, every support forum and every upgrade guide starts with. If you bought a PC a few years ago, or inherited one, you may not remember what processor it has, how much memory is installed, which graphics card sits inside or whether the drive is an SSD or a hard disk. The good news is that Windows can tell you all of it, without opening the case and without installing anything.

This guide shows you several built-in ways to check your PC specifications, what each one tells you, how to find the exact information you need for a specific upgrade, how to read the results, and when a third-party tool is worth using. It is based on general Windows knowledge. Menu names differ slightly between Windows 10 and Windows 11, and between updates, so use the descriptions as a map.

Last updated: November 1, 2026.

Why Knowing Your Specs Matters

You need your specifications in several common situations.

  • Checking game requirements. Games list minimum and recommended processors, memory and graphics cards.
  • Planning upgrades. Before you buy RAM, a drive or a graphics card, you need to know what your motherboard, power supply and case support.
  • Getting support. Technicians and forum helpers need exact model names.
  • Troubleshooting. Knowing your hardware helps you spot driver, overheating or compatibility problems.
  • Selling or buying a used PC. Verify that the listed parts match the real machine.

Quick Reference: Which Tool Shows What

What you want to know Easiest place to look
Processor, installed RAM, Windows version Settings, System, About
CPU speed, number of cores, memory speed and slots used Task Manager, Performance tab
Graphics card name and video memory Task Manager (GPU) or DirectX Diagnostic Tool
Storage type (SSD or hard drive) and size Task Manager (Disk) or Settings, Storage
Motherboard model and BIOS version System Information
Full hardware summary in one place System Information or DirectX Diagnostic Tool
Driver versions Device Manager
Laptop or prebuilt model name System Information, or the sticker on the device

Method 1: Settings, System, About

This is the quickest overview.

  1. Open Settings (Windows key plus I).
  2. Go to System, then About.
  3. Look at Device specifications.

You will see:

  • Device name. The computer’s name on your network.
  • Processor. The model and base speed, such as an Intel Core or AMD Ryzen name.
  • Installed RAM. The total memory, with a note on how much is usable.
  • System type. Whether Windows is 64-bit, and the processor type.

Scroll down to Windows specifications to see the edition, version and build number. This helps when a game or program requires a specific Windows version.

This screen does not show the graphics card, motherboard or storage details, so use it as a starting point.

Method 2: Task Manager

Task Manager shows live hardware information.

  1. Press Ctrl, Shift and Esc together, or right-click the taskbar and choose Task Manager.
  2. If you see a small window, click More details.
  3. Open the Performance tab.

CPU

Click CPU. At the top right you see the processor name. At the bottom you see the base speed, the number of sockets, cores, logical processors (threads) and cache sizes. The utilization graph shows how hard the processor is working right now.

Memory

Click Memory. You see the total, the speed, the number of slots used out of the total, and the form factor (such as DIMM for desktops or SODIMM for laptops). This is very useful before buying RAM, because it shows how many slots are free. The speed listed here is the speed the memory is actually running at, which may be lower than the kit’s rated speed if a memory profile is not enabled. Our DDR4 vs DDR5 guide helps you choose.

Disk

Click each Disk entry. You see the model name, the type (SSD or HDD in newer Windows versions), the capacity and the read and write activity. This tells you whether a game is installed on a slow hard drive.

GPU

If your PC has a graphics card, a GPU entry appears with its name, dedicated video memory and temperature. You may see two GPUs on laptops: one integrated and one dedicated.

Ethernet or Wi-Fi

These entries show your adapter name and connection speed.

Method 3: DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag)

This older tool still gives a helpful summary.

  1. Press the Windows key plus R.
  2. Type dxdiag and press Enter.
  3. If asked about checking drivers, you can click Yes or No.

On the System tab you see the computer name, operating system, manufacturer and model of the system, BIOS version, processor, memory and the DirectX version. On the Display tab you see the graphics card name, manufacturer, driver version and display memory. If there are two graphics processors, there will be multiple Display tabs.

You can click Save All Information to export a text file, which is handy to attach to a support request.

Method 4: System Information (msinfo32)

This is the most detailed built-in summary.

  1. Press the Windows key plus R.
  2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter.

In System Summary you see the OS name and version, system manufacturer, model and type, processor, BIOS version and date, BaseBoard manufacturer, product and version (your motherboard), installed physical memory and available memory, and secure boot state.

The motherboard line is the key one for upgrades. If it says “Not available” on some prebuilt systems, check the motherboard itself or the manufacturer’s documentation. Expand the Components section in the left panel to see more detail on display, storage and network adapters.

You can export everything with File, then Export, to share it.

Method 5: Device Manager

Device Manager lists the hardware and shows driver details.

  1. Right-click the Start button and choose Device Manager.
  2. Expand categories such as Display adapters, Processors, Disk drives and Network adapters.
  3. Right-click a device and choose Properties, then the Driver tab to see the driver version and date.

Devices with a yellow warning icon have driver problems. Keeping the graphics driver and chipset driver current often fixes odd behavior. After installing new hardware, such as a graphics card, check here that it is recognized. Our graphics card installation guide explains the process.

Method 6: Command Prompt and PowerShell

For a text summary, you can use a command in Command Prompt. Open it by searching for cmd and type the command systeminfo. It prints the OS version, system model, processor, BIOS, memory totals and network information. It does not list the graphics card in detail, but is useful for a quick text report.

PowerShell offers more detailed commands, but the built-in graphical tools are easier for most people.

Finding Your Laptop or Prebuilt Model

Laptops and branded prebuilt PCs have a model name or number that identifies the exact configuration.

  • Check System Information for the System Model.
  • Look for a sticker on the bottom of the laptop or on the PC case.
  • Check the original box, receipt or your account on the manufacturer’s site.

With the model number, you can find the manufacturer’s specification page, which shows the maximum supported RAM, storage slots and upgrade options. Our laptop buying guide explains what to compare when shopping.

Checking Specific Components in Detail

Processor

The name usually includes a family (Core i5, Ryzen 7), a generation and a model number. The generation matters for motherboard support. Cores and threads show in Task Manager. For gaming, a higher clock speed and large cache help, but check the game’s requirements.

Memory

Record the total, the type (DDR4 or DDR5), the running speed, and how many slots are used. This tells you whether to add a stick or replace sticks. Our DDR4 RAM list covers kits for DDR4 systems.

Graphics

Note the name and the video memory. If the PC has both an integrated graphics processor and a dedicated card, check which one a game uses. Laptops sometimes default to the integrated chip unless you set the game to use the dedicated one in Windows graphics settings.

Storage

Check each drive’s type and size. To confirm whether it is an SSD, check Task Manager, or open Windows’ drive optimization tool, which lists media type. If your main drive is a hard drive, moving the operating system and games to an SSD makes a large difference. See our PC storage upgrade guide and storage types guide. Our SATA SSD list compares upgrade options.

Motherboard

The model from System Information tells you the socket, chipset, memory type, maximum RAM and the number of M.2 slots. Search the model on the manufacturer’s site for the manual.

Power supply

Windows cannot detect the power supply. You need to open the case and read the label on the unit, which shows the wattage and model. Check this before installing a more powerful graphics card.

Screen

Display settings show the resolution and refresh rate. Your monitor’s model is on the back or in the display information. Our monitor size and resolution guide explains what you need.

Third-Party Tools: When They Help

Built-in tools cover most needs. Third-party utilities can add:

  • More detail on RAM timings, motherboard chipset and sensor readings.
  • Temperature, voltage and fan speed monitoring.
  • Benchmarks to compare your PC with others.
  • A single exportable report.

Choose well-known tools from their official websites, and avoid unknown downloads. If you only need names and sizes, the built-in tools are enough. For temperature monitoring while diagnosing heat, see our overheating guide.

Reading Specs Against Game Requirements

When you compare your specs with a game’s requirements:

  1. Compare the graphics card first. It has the biggest effect on frame rates.
  2. Compare processor generation and speed, not just the name.
  3. Compare RAM total, and note that 16 GB is a common recommended figure.
  4. Check storage space and whether the game recommends an SSD.
  5. Check the Windows version and DirectX requirement.

Minimum requirements usually mean the game starts at low settings. Recommended requirements usually target a certain resolution and frame rate, such as 1080p at 60 frames per second. Requirements are rough guides, so check reviews for your hardware.

Common Mistakes

  • Trusting the processor’s base speed as the actual speed under load.
  • Assuming the RAM runs at its advertised speed without checking.
  • Missing that a laptop uses an integrated GPU for games.
  • Buying RAM or SSDs without confirming the type and slots your PC supports.
  • Forgetting to check the power supply label before a graphics card upgrade.
  • Reading an old driver date as a sign everything is fine.
  • Believing a “System Model” of “System Product Name” tells you the model. On custom builds it often shows a placeholder.
  • Using dxdiag alone, which does not list storage or the motherboard in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I quickly check my PC specs?

Open Settings, then System, then About for the processor and RAM. Use Task Manager’s Performance tab for the graphics card, memory speed and disk type.

How do I find my graphics card?

Open Task Manager, go to the Performance tab and look for GPU, or open dxdiag and check the Display tab.

How can I tell if I have an SSD or a hard drive?

Check the Disk entries in Task Manager, which show the type in recent Windows versions, or open the drive optimization tool and look at the media type.

How do I find my motherboard model?

Open System Information (msinfo32) and look at the BaseBoard lines. If they are empty, check the board itself or your documentation.

Why does Windows show less RAM than I installed?

Some memory is reserved for hardware, especially integrated graphics. A big difference may mean a stick is not seated properly.

Can I check my PC specs without opening the case?

Yes for almost everything except the power supply label and physical details like free slots.

Is dxdiag safe?

Yes. It is a built-in Windows diagnostic tool. Clicking Save All Information just creates a text file.

Where do I check my Windows version?

In Settings, System, About, under Windows specifications.

Bottom Line

Windows already includes everything you need to see your specifications. Start with Settings, System, About for processor and RAM, use Task Manager for graphics, memory slots and disks, and System Information for the motherboard and BIOS. Use Device Manager for driver versions, and read the label on the power supply when planning an upgrade. Write down the exact models so that you can compare them against game requirements and upgrade guides with confidence.