Basic computer specifications
There is a lot of information you can find out about the components of your computer, but in most cases you will be interested in one of the main specifications listed below.
If you’re interested in a specific specification and want to quickly find out how to check the details, check out the section below.
CPU
The CPU (Central Processing Unit), or central processing unit, is the brain of your computer. For many programs it is necessary that the CPU has a minimum level of processing power, so it will be useful to have a clear understanding of what your computer’s potential is. An overloaded CPU can easily overheat, so it is a good idea to monitor the CPU’s temperature, particularly when subjected to heavy loads.
GPU
The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), or graphics processing unit, handles the display on the screen. Knowing the GPU specs is especially important for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks, such as video editing. Just like the CPU, the GPU can overheat if you put a heavier load than expected.
RAM
Your computer uses RAM (Random Access Memory), or random access memory, to juggle all the operations active at any given time. By increasing the available RAM, your computer will be able to manage and process multiple tasks at the same time.
Motherboard
CPU, GPU, and RAM are all connected to the motherboard, which allows communication between these components. As a hardware component, the motherboard has specific physical limitations, for example if there are only two RAM slots available in your motherboard and you decide to upgrade the RAM, you will not be able to install more than two modules.
Hard disk space
Each time you install a new program, the space required on your hard drive is indicated. If there is not enough space, you will not be able to complete the installation. The same goes for downloading or creating new files.
For what reasons can it be useful to check the specifications of the PC?
Having information about the hardware components in your PC can be useful for many tasks and in various situations. Here are some example cases where it might be convenient for you to know how to check your computer’s RAM, CPU, and other specs:
-
PC Selling: Before selling the computer you will be able to list all the specifications. This way, potential buyers will have all the information they need to make an informed decision. Furthermore, these data will be useful for you to establish the sale price.
-
Buying a new PC: If you know the specifications of your current computer, it will be easier to decide what features the new one should have. By identifying the gaps in the PC you already have, you can determine how powerful the new computer should be. If you plan to build your own computer, you can compare the specifications of various CPUs, as well as examine the benchmarks of different GPUs, to decide what you need.
-
Request for technical support: When contacting technical support for hardware or performance issues, be prepared to provide the relevant specifications. To offer proper advice, support personnel will need this information.
-
Driver update: If you want to update your graphics drivers or update your sound drivers, you will need to know the exact model number of your graphics card or sound card. Of course this applies if you don’t use an automated driver update tool.
AVG Driver Updater detects hardware specifications and automatically keeps all drivers updated. The extremely intuitive interface of this tool will allow you to update outdated or faulty drivers, fix any persistent driver-related problems and quickly restore your computer to optimal performance.
-
Try new games or new apps: Do you have an older PC or laptop and want to try a freshly released game or even a classic like GTA 5 or Ark: Survival Evolved? You must first make sure that your computer meets the minimum requirements of the game, otherwise you will not be able to install it.
-
CPU or GPU overclocking: CPU or GPU overclocking refers to fine-tuning the settings so that these components deliver faster speed than the default configuration. Before proceeding, check the specs and stress test the CPU (or GPU) to determine where to start. Overclocking the GPU and CPU can be risky, so it’s a good idea to gather as much information as possible before starting.
Regardless of what your goal is, keep reading our guide for Windows 10, 8, and 7 to find out how to check all of your PC’s hardware specs, such as installed memory, system summaries, and operating system details.
How and where to check the specifications for CPU, RAM, motherboard and GPU
In Windows, there are several ways to find hardware specifications. Depending on the level of detail you need, try one of the following methods to check the CPU specifications and find more information.
Check the specifications of the computer via the Windows system settings
The Windows system settings allow you to easily and conveniently check the specifications of your computer. First of all we will describe the procedure in Windows 10 and then also that in Windows 7.
Opening the Windows System Settings in Windows 10
Click Start , open Settings and go to System . Select System Information in the left menu.
The basic specifications of the PC and the version of Windows installed will be displayed.
Opening the Windows system settings in Windows 7
Right-click on the Computer icon and select Properties .
You’ll see a list of basic specifications, including the processor, available RAM, some support numbers (depending on your PC manufacturer), and the version of Windows you are running. The details available on this screen are not entirely exhaustive, but they are still useful.
If you need more information, click Device Manager on the left side of the screen and explore the individual devices (more details on this below).
Check the specifications of the computer via the command prompt
Put yourself in hacker mode and type Windows + R to bring up your computer’s Run window. Enter cmd and press ENTER to open the Command Prompt window.
Type the systeminfo command line and press ENTER . All system specifications will be displayed. Just scroll through the results to find what you need.
Check your computer specifications via Device Manager
Do you need to find out the exact name of a specific device, such as the graphics card or sound chip? Device Manager is the one for you.
Right-click on the Windows menu and select Device Manager .
A list of all the devices integrated into your PC or laptop will be available in the window that appears. Dwell on each item in the list by checking the device names, as in the screenshot below.
Device Manager typically displays clear and complete names for all accessories or devices that are connected or integrated into your PC or laptop.
If you are unsure about a specific device or if the list contains an Unknown entry , don’t worry. You can still find out the GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) ​​of the device. This is a string of numbers useful for identifying a specific device.
Double-click the mysterious entry in Device Manager, such as Broadcom 802.11ac . Then go to Details . Under Properties, select Hardware ID . Right-click on one of the entries, copy it and go to your favorite search engine to find more information.
With a short internet search you will easily find the exact name of the unknown device.
Check the detailed computer specifications via System Information
The best and most comprehensive default tool for obtaining more in-depth information on PC specifications is System Information. To open it, click on the Windows menu and start typing the phrase System Information . Windows will automatically find the app.
Click System Information (or press ENTER ). This tool is the most comprehensive, but also the most complex way to examine your PC’s specs. You can find any information, such as your computer’s BIOS / UEFI version, motherboard revision number, as well as all available drivers and applications.
There is no higher level of detail than this.
You can use this tool to:
-
Search for specific information: Use the Find field at the bottom of the window to search for what you need, such as graphics cards or USB ports.
-
Generate a system report: Open the File menu and click Export to save all this information in a text file that you can conveniently share. This file can be useful for providing these details at the request of a technical support representative or if you need to share hardware specifications in an online forum.
Use a third-party tool to easily view all specifications
Searching for spec information with the default Windows tools isn’t that straightforward. There is so much information that it is difficult to understand exactly what to focus on. If you don’t feel up to it, consider using a specialized spec check tool.
Speccy is a free tool that allows you to conveniently view computer specifications and quickly and easily find the information you need.
Get optimal performance from existing hardware
You can use the default Windows tools or a free third-party tool like Speccy to easily find all PC specs. Whether you are looking for information on RAM or CPU or you simply need to know what programs are installed on your PC, these tools will allow you to find all the specifications of your computer.
To make the most of the hardware available in your PC and solve annoying performance bottlenecks, make sure you regularly perform maintenance and optimization on your computer. AVG TuneUp removes unwanted junk files, keeps files organized and monitors resource usage to ensure optimal performance at all times.
