How to Find Your PC Specifications

The fastest way to check your PC specs

The quickest way to see your PC specifications is to open Settings, then go to System and select About. On that screen you will see your processor, RAM, system type, and Windows version all at once. This takes about 30 seconds and covers what most people need to know.

If you are using Windows 11, the About page also shows your device name and the serial number of your installation. If you need more detail — like your graphics card, storage drive type, or motherboard model — you will need to dig into other tools, which the sections below explain.

Key Takeaways

Settings > System > About shows your processor, RAM, Windows version, and system type without opening any other programs.
System Information (a built-in Windows tool) displays your motherboard model, BIOS version, and other hardware details that Settings does not show.
Device Manager lets you see what graphics card, network adapter, and storage drives your PC has, and whether Windows recognizes them all.
DirectX Diagnostic Tool shows your graphics card memory, audio device, and display resolution in one window.
Third-party tools like CPU-Z and GPU-Z are free and show detailed specs, but you only need them if you are overclocking or troubleshooting.

Using Settings to see processor, RAM, and Windows version

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click System on the left sidebar. Scroll down and click About. You will see your processor name and speed (for example, "Intel Core i7-12700K"), the amount of RAM installed, your system type (32-bit or 64-bit), and your Windows version and build number.

This page also shows your device name (the name your PC goes by on a network) and your Windows product ID. If you are running Windows 11, you will also see whether your PC meets the system requirements for future Windows updates. This is the page to screenshot if you are asking someone for help with a problem — it tells them what they are working with.

System Information for motherboard, BIOS, and detailed hardware

For specs that Settings does not show — like your motherboard model, BIOS version, and the exact type of your storage drive — open System Information. Press the Windows key, type "system information", and press Enter.

The first screen shows your processor, RAM, and Windows version again, but below that you will see System Manufacturer (the brand of your PC, like Dell or Lenovo), System Model (the specific model number), and BIOS Version/Date. Scroll down to find Total Physical Memory, which is your RAM. On the left sidebar, click Components, then Storage to see the size and type of your hard drive or SSD.

Device Manager for graphics card, network, and storage drives

Device Manager shows every piece of hardware Windows recognizes and whether it has the right driver installed. Press the Windows key, type "device manager", and press Enter. Look for Display adapters — that is your graphics card. Click the arrow next to it to see the exact model.

Under Disk drives you will see your storage drives listed by model and capacity. Under Network adapters you will see your Wi-Fi card or ethernet adapter. If any device has a yellow warning triangle next to it, Windows does not have the correct driver, and you may need to read one from the manufacturer's website. Devices with no warning are working correctly.

DirectX Diagnostic Tool for graphics memory and display details

The DirectX Diagnostic Tool is useful if you want to know how much memory your graphics card has and what your monitor resolution is. Press the Windows key, type "dxdiag", and press Enter. Click the Display tab to see your graphics card name, the amount of dedicated video memory, and your current screen resolution and refresh rate.

The System tab shows your processor, RAM, and Windows version again. The Sound tab lists your audio device. This tool is most useful if you are checking whether your PC can run a specific game or program, because many games list their graphics card and memory requirements, and you can compare them here.

Free third-party tools for detailed specs

CPU-Z and GPU-Z are free programs that show detailed information about your processor and graphics card. You can read them from cpuid.com. CPU-Z displays your processor model, speed, core count, and cache size. GPU-Z shows your graphics card memory, clock speed, and driver version. These tools are most useful if you are overclocking your PC or troubleshooting a graphics problem.

HWiNFO is another free tool that displays nearly every hardware spec your PC has, including temperatures and power draw. For most people, the built-in Windows tools above are enough. Third-party tools are worth downloading only if you need information that Windows does not show, or if you are comparing your specs to detailed system requirements for a game or program.

What to do if a device shows a warning or is missing

If Device Manager shows a device with a yellow triangle, or if a piece of hardware you know you have is not listed, Windows is missing the driver. Open Device Manager, right-click the device with the warning, and select Update driver. Windows will search for a driver online. If it finds one, it will install it automatically.

If Windows does not find a driver, go to the manufacturer's website (for example, nvidia.com for a graphics card, or dell.com if it is a Dell PC) and search for your device model. read the driver from there and run the installer. After the driver installs, restart your PC. If a device is missing entirely, it may not be plugged in correctly, or the hardware may have failed — in that case, you may need to open your PC or take it to a technician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find my graphics card specs?

Open Device Manager, click the arrow next to Display adapters, and you will see your graphics card model. For memory and clock speed, open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (press Windows key and type "dxdiag"), click the Display tab, and look for "Approx. Total Memory". For more detail, read GPU-Z from cpuid.com.

How do I know if my PC has an SSD or a hard drive?

Open Device Manager and look under Disk drives. If the name contains "SSD" or "NVME", it is a solid-state drive. If it says "HDD" or just lists a brand and capacity, it is a traditional hard drive. You can also open System Information, click Components then Storage, and look at the description of your drive.

What does "system type 64-bit" mean?

A 64-bit system can use more than 4 GB of RAM and run 64-bit programs, which are faster and more efficient. A 32-bit system is limited to about 3.5 GB of RAM. Almost all modern PCs are 64-bit. You can see your system type in Settings > System > About under "System type".

Can I see my PC specs without opening any programs?

Not completely, but you can see basic specs by right-clicking This PC on your desktop or in File Explorer and selecting Properties. This shows your processor, RAM, and Windows version, but not your graphics card or storage drive type. For full specs, you need to open Settings or System Information.

Why does my PC show less RAM than I installed?

Windows sometimes reserves a small amount of RAM for system use, so you may see slightly less than the total you installed. For example, a PC with 16 GB installed might show 15.9 GB available. If the difference is more than 1 GB, one of your RAM sticks may not be seated correctly — try opening your PC and reseating the RAM modules.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.