It goes without saying that any user would like to know what is in his computer system. There are a few simple techniques that can be used to obtain this kind of information, depending on which CPU characteristics you want to view.
How to find out your processor on Windows 7 or on another system using the simplest method?
The first and simplest method of obtaining information about the processor can be called the standard technique, which is to use the RMB menu on the computer icon with a selection of the property bar. Using the Computer / Properties sequence, get a minimum of information about the main components of the hardware and software environment.
First of all, this concerns the installed operating system, the name of the processor with an implicit indication of the number of cores and operating frequency, as well as the amount of RAM.
Please note that the default computer icon in Windows 10 is accessible exclusively from the file manager ("Explorer").
Information about the processor in the "Device Manager"
You can do otherwise, since they provide only limited information, which does not fully reflect the characteristics of the CPU.
You can view more complete information about the processor in the standard "Device Manager", which is called either from the "Control Panel", or from the administration section, or by entering the devmgmt.msc command in the "Run" menu.
Here, in the basic information, brief information is displayed. However, if you enter the properties menu, you can even view the driver file information or find out the exact device IDs VEN and DEV.
System information
Another solution to the question of how to find out your processor, on Windows 7 or in any other modification, is by using the msinfo32 command entered in the execution console.
On the general tab, you can immediately view the main characteristics of the CPU, but already including the breakdown into cores and threads. For example, a user has a dual-core processor with two computational threads for each core. This corresponds to a 4-core processor in the usual sense (exactly four logical processors will be displayed in the information).
DirectX platform
Another option for solving the problem of how to find out your processor on Windows 7 is to access the dialog provided in the DirectX platform.
The console can be invoked through the dxdiag line, which is entered in the Run menu. On the main tab, again, brief information on the device will be given, but with an indication not of the declared clock frequency, but the operating range in which the CPU can operate.
Where can I see the temperature of the processor?
Finally, the optimal, according to most experts, is the use of specialized third-party utilities. The question of how to find out your processor on Windows 7 using such programs looks more promising in the sense that the applications of this type themselves provide a lot of related characteristics that cannot be viewed in Windows systems by standard means (operating frequencies, information about the cache of the first and the second level, operating and current temperatures, used sockets and much more).
However, in most cases such information is unnecessary for an ordinary user. They will be useful only for those who are trying to overclock (overclock) the processor by software or physical means, when you need to know exactly the thresholds of operating frequencies and possible loads, or those specialists who are engaged in computer repair.
As utilities used, you can recommend programs like AIDA64 (ex-Everest), CPU-Z and the like. The information presented in them concerns not only the central processors, but also all the rest of the "hardware" installed in the computer. This is very useful, for example, when you may need to check the compatibility of RAM with the CPU or when installing a discrete graphics adapter.
Instead of a total
Here, in fact, are all the main methods to find out the main characteristics of the central processor installed on the motherboard. What to use? If the minimum specifications are enough for you, the information about the system is enough. If you need to view advanced parameters, you cannot do without third-party utilities, since Windows systems do not initially have the ability to obtain such information.
And today in this post we will consider the question of how to find out which processor is on the computer. This step-by-step guide is also suitable for laptop users, in general, everything that runs on Windows suits us. Our test computer runs on Windows 10, so the entire description and narration will be based on it.
I will not delay the introduction, let's get down to business ... conventionally, all the ways to find out the computer processor can be divided into two large groups:
- Using standard Windows tools
- Installing third-party utilities
If for the first we do not have to install anything and most likely we will find out only the model and a couple of characteristics (as a rule, this is quite enough for most users).
The second method does not always require the installation of third-party applications - many utilities have portable versions and this is a dubious decision as a disadvantage, but they will show you many times more information.
How to see which processor on a computer using standard methods
There are actually much more ways to determine the installed CPU built into the system, but of course we will not use them all ... I have selected the three simplest options and now I will tell you about each in detail.
Method 1. System properties
Probably the easiest way to find out which processor model is installed is through system properties. To do this, right-click on the "This computer" icon and select "Properties" in the menu that appears. In the window that opens, find the "System" block and in the "Processor" line there will be your CPU model (in my case it is Core i5 3470)
In the same block, just below, information about the bitness of your OS and the amount of installed RAM in the system is presented ...
Method 2. Windows Device Manager
Next in line is such a powerful tool as "Device Manager". To get to it, take a look at the previous picture, on the left side of the "System" window there is an item "Device Manager" - this will launch the tool we need. In the category of processors, you will find the name of your processor, and their number indicates the number of its threads.
Note that kernels and threads are not exactly the same thing. I plan to write a separate note about this (for now, you can google about Hyper Threading from Intel and SMT from AMD)
Method 3. System Task Manager
The last in the list of ways to find out the processor built into the OS is the task manager. There are many ways to launch it, but we are not talking about that now - just press the keyboard shortcut CTRL + SHIFT + ESC
Go to the "Performance" tab and in the left column activate the item "CPU" and on the right side you can see the exact description of the processor model.
How to find out which processor is on the computer using programs
So we move on to the most interesting thing with you, we will try to find out which processor is in the computer with third-party utilities that will provide us with a bunch of useful information (and possibly a wagon unnecessary). All apps are personally tested and work great on Windows 10.
Method 1. CPU-Z utility
If the most important application in the task is GPU-Z, then the CPU-Z utility can be called number one in determining the processor in the system. You can download it from the official website at the link below - I recommend using the portable version, since it does not require installation ...
After starting the application, on the first tab "CPU" in the "Name" line, you will find the answer to the question of how to find out the computer processor.
The CPU-Z utility shows a lot of useful information not only about the central processor, but can also tell in detail about the RAM modules and many other aspects of your PC - I highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the program better
Method 2. Piriform Speccy
If you have ever used the Ccleaner program, then you are probably familiar with the application from the same developers - Speccy. The purpose of this utility is to tell from and to about the components of our computer, including the processor model and what it is capable of. The free version is suitable for us, the current version of which can always be downloaded from the official website.
Launch the application, wait for the Speccy to collect all the necessary information about our computer, and on the left side, select the "Central Processor" item. On the right side, in the "Name" line, the model of our processor is displayed (as elsewhere - the old Intel Core i5 3470)
I don’t understand why I haven’t heard about this application before, but in the marathon of notes on the characteristics of the computer, this utility is just MAST HAVE
Method 3. AIDA 64
The first commercial application to help us identify the processor on a PC. Of course, I will not buy it - a trial version for 30 days is enough for us, you can download it on the official website (we are interested in the Extreme edition)
After launching the utility, on the left side, go to "Motherboard" - "CPU", on the right side with "CPU Properties" the name of our processor will be written (QuadCore is the designation for four core processors and is not included in the model name)
In general, using the AIDA application, you can perform a stress test of an experimental processor and many other interesting things, but this does not apply to the topic of our article - some other time ...
Method 4. HWiNFO
The last utility that allows you to determine which processor is on your computer is HWiNFO. There are several versions of this application - for 64 or 32 bit operating systems, you can download it from the download page ...
It is enough just to start and wait until the program collects information about your computer and shows a good report, where one of the points will be the desired processor (probably one of the simplest options to determine the CPU)
I recommend you the HWiNFO utility not only for identifying the processor, but also for identifying other components of your computer - the application is very small, but the summary report very clearly tells about your PC
Information about the central processing unit. Conclusions.
Well, it's time to summarize - what have we learned from this article? Now you can answer the question of how to find out which processor is on the computer and do it in several ways (using third-party programs and standard system tools).
I realize that there is another simple way to determine which processor on the computer is to disassemble the system unit, remove the cooling device and read the name on the cover ... but agree that the options given in the note are much simpler and safer (and I don’t need to remind you of this method in the comments - I am perfectly aware of its existence).
The processor performs the basic functions of a computer. And without it, the operation of the device is practically impossible. It also allows you to run programs, games, and so on. The performance of a computer is measured precisely by its model. And in the article we will tell you how to find out the processor model in several ways.
Why know this?
The device directly affects the cost of a computer or laptop. And when you buy, you can always check if it has overpriced it, and also find out how good the processor is.
The first thing that catches your eye is the name. And this is followed by a specific sequence of numbers and different letters. The name denotes a trademark, that is, it gives the user information about the manufacturer of the processor. This is followed by a series identifier such as i3 or i7. The hyphen does not mean anything, but the numbers after it show its serial number. And the letter at the end denotes the processor version.
Method one. System capabilities
How do you know which processor you have? If you are a user of the Windows 10 or 8 operating system, then it is much easier to do this than on the 7 or HP.
To see the processor version, you need to open the "Task Manager", below is how to do this:
- Use the "hot" key combination Alt + Ctrl + Del, you will see a menu, in it select "Task Manager".
- And directly it is called by simultaneously pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Or click on the "Taskbar" with the right mouse button and open the item "Task Manager".
- Hover your mouse over Start and type Task Manager in the search bar.
After opening it, you need to go to the "Performance" tab. Then select "CPU" and you will see the processor version above the graph.
Method two. System information
In the Windows operating system, there is a window with key data about the system. How do you know which processor you have? Easy, you need to go to "System Information", and how to do this is described below:
- Use the Windows key + PauseBreak keyboard shortcut.
- Open the "Start" menu and type in "System Information" in the search box.
Unfortunately, this cannot be done on the new version of Windows. However, the previous method is not implemented on the old ones, so the developers compensated for the costs. But it is not only the system capabilities that provide information about the processor version. This data shows special programs, which we will talk about below.
Method three. Core Temp Program
The application is distributed free of charge and is downloaded from the official website. The developers were not too lazy and produced a Russified shell. On the main page of the program, you can financially support its creation, there are the details where you can transfer money.
How do you know which processor you have? Use "Kore Temp", the program not only shows the device model, but also allows you to update drivers, control the core temperature and much more. The processor data is indicated opposite the "Model" line.
Method four. AIDA 64
The test period of work in the program lasts only 30 days, you will have to pay for further use. However, on the Internet you can find the keys to the utility, and get it absolutely free.
How do you know which processor you have? "AIDA64" will tell you, it has a fairly wide functionality. It shows most of the data about the computer, including the version of "Windows" and displays the readings with a temperature sensor.
To see the processor version, you need:
- download and install the program;
- wait for the start of work (the power-on screen appears for a relatively long time);
- select the item in the "Computer" menu;
- then open the tab "Summary information";
- Go to "CPU Type" and opposite you will see the name of your processor.
In the program "AIDA64" you can test your computer, for this go to the "Test" tab.
The fifth method. HWiNFO
The program came out multifunctional, however, completely in English. How do you know which processor you have? Download this application and you will know exactly the name of your device.
It is freely distributed over the Internet because it is completely free. Works with new versions of Windows operating systems and even DOS. The load on the processor and other parameters are indicated in a separate window.
To determine the processor, you need:
- Run the application and click on Run.
- Two windows will open, on the right you will see the version of your processor.
Conclusion
There are other programs that show how good your processor is or not. For example, SpeedFan or Speccy.
Do you know why PC system blocks are mostly black? Because they, like black boxes, hide what they have inside. And some are even very happy about it. Imagine: your friend decided to boast that he became the owner of the coolest vidyahi and super-powerful processor (in the hope that you will not find out what his computer is actually stuffed with, because you cannot see it from the outside). But in one fell swoop you bring the deceiver to the surface. Cool? And how!
Let's start replenishing the piggy bank of our little computer tricks. We recently found out, and today we will figure out how to find out what processor and video card are on the computer.
Determine the models of the central and graphic processors using Windows
Remember, in the article on determining the motherboard model, we got acquainted with three Windows tools: “ System information», « Diagnostic toolDirectX"And the console application Windows Management Instrumentation Command ( Wmic)? They will help us this time too. But not only: we will also include Device Manager in their company.System information
To run the utility, enter in the Windows search engine or application “ Execute"(The latter is opened by pressing the Win + R keys) the command msinfo32 and click the found file. Information about the processor model is located on the first tab “ System Information»:
To recognize the video chip, you will have to go a little deeper - into the section “ Hardware resources» – « Components" and " Display". The GPU make and model is shown on the top line:
DirectX
To run the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, enter the system search engine or " Execute»Command dxdiag... The processor model is shown in the window " System»:
Information about the video chip can be found in the section “ Screen»:
Wmic
To find out the CPU and GPU models using WMIC, start the command console and follow a couple of instructions one at a time:
wmic cpu get name
wmic path win32_videocontroller get name
The first shows the processor model, the second shows the video adapter.
Device Manager
It is as easy as shelling pears to find out the models of the video chip and processor using the Device Manager - just open the necessary sections in the hardware list:
This is effective when both drivers are installed on the system. However, if there are no drivers, and Windows calls your video card an unknown device, the Device Manager will help us again:
- Let's open the context menu of the unidentified device with the right mouse button. Let's choose " Properties».
- Let's go to the " Intelligence". Let's select from the list of properties " Equipment ID”And copy the first line of values.
- Then we will "feed" this line to any search engine.
The result is obvious:
We identify devices using programs
Many of you are familiar with applications that can bring out all the ins and outs of computer hardware. By the way, I talked about them in the article on recognizing motherboard models. These are, in particular, free portable utilities and (in different versions for 32- and 64-bit systems), as well as a paid multifunctional program. Today we will supplement this list with one more tool -. It is designed to collect information about the video card.CPU-Z
So let's start with CPU-Z. The first tab of the program is “ Cpu", Displays information about the processor. If you are only interested in the model, just look at the top line “ Name". Below it is detailed information:
- The codename for the CPU.
- Its TDP (Thermal Power).
- Socket type (package).
- Technical process (technology).
- Core voltage
- Specification table.
- Technology (instruction).
- Core frequency, multiplier, bus frequency.
- Cache volumes.
- The number of physical and logical cores.
Information about the video card is collected on the tab “ Graphics". Of course, there are not so many of them, but the most basic thing is there. By the way, CPU-Z shows not only the manufacturer and model of the chip (nVidia GTX 650), but also the brand of the video card, in particular, Gigabyte.
HWiNFO and AIDA64
If you only need basic information about the processor and video card, just run HWiNFO in the “ Summaryonly»:
The system summary window looks like this:
Left - processor data, right - vidyahi.
For an in-depth acquaintance with all the hardware of the computer, when starting HWiNFO, you must uncheck the boxes “ Summaryonly" and " Sensorsonly". Then, together with the summary information window, the main section of the program will open. The screenshot below shows the details from the processor tab.
The same data, only in Russian, is displayed by AIDA64:
GPU-Z
Two or three (depending on the version) tabs of the GPU-Z utility are filled with information about the video card only. In addition to the video chip model and the manufacturer of the final product, which are highlighted in the screenshot by frames, the utility shows:
- GPU codename (“GPU” field).
- Chip revision.
- The technological process (technology), the size of the crystal (die size), the number of transistors (transistors).
- Release date.
- BIOS version.
- Connection interface (bus interface).
- Rasterization and texturing units (ROPs / TMUs).
- DirectX version.
- The type and amount of video memory.
- The width of the memory bus (bus width).
- Video driver version and much more.
On the tab “ Sensors"The indicators of the video card sensors are collected: the current frequency of the graphics processor and memory, temperatures, fan speed, percentage of workload, supply voltage, etc." Advanced»Shows information about the version of video drivers.
If the program does not recognize your device, please update it. Outdated software versions are not always able to read information from new hardware.
What the labeling of devices will tell you about
The various alphanumeric designations that manufacturers put on the chips (heat spreader caps) of the CPU and GPU are often the only data that can be used to identify defective devices or devices not installed on the computer.Processors
Main processor identification mark Intel, in addition to the corporate logo, this is what is framed in the photo below.
sSpec Number is a 4 or 5 digit code that starts with letters SR, SL, XL or Q(the latter is rare). If you enter it in the search form on the Intel website or, you can get all other information about the model, and most importantly, find out its exact name.
Main Processor Brand ID AMD Is a CPU Part Number, a 12-14 character long unbreakable code that usually begins with the letter A.
An example of such markings on the AMD A10-5800K CPU is shown in the photo below.
To find information about an AMD processor by CPU Part Number, it is also convenient to use the site. Search form and result - in the screenshot.
Video chips
The nVidia video processors are also pretty easy to identify. Their main identifier is the part number and revision, which are indicated in slightly larger letters in the bottom line on the chip crystal.
What kind of model is in front of you, the search engines will tell you:
With AMD Radeon, things are about the same. The model of the video processor is easy to recognize by the part number, which starts with 216:
How to identify an unknown video card
In the above, we examined how to determine the model of a video chip based on its labeling, but what if, it is not known where and by whom it was produced? Unfortunately, on desktop vidyashki, unlike motherboards, often there is nothing but the brand name of the company that released it. And in some cases even he is absent. How, then, do you recognize the pattern?Looking ahead, I will say that with the identification of non-standard, rare and outdated video cards sometimes there are great difficulties, especially if they have a non-native cooling system (or it is absent at all), and the factory stickers have not been preserved.
So, what will help you identify the video card:
- Any inscriptions and labels on the case.
- GPU marking.
- Corporate logo.
- Cooling system design.
- PCB design.
The identification process begins with a search for textual information on the video card. Any found line or even part of it, hammered into a search engine, can lead you to a clue. But this kind of luck is rare.
The next step is to search by photo. Take a photo of the device in good resolution from different angles and upload the pictures to the search engine.
If you're unlucky again, connect your hive mind. Post pictures and data about the video card that you managed to collect in profile groups on social networks and on forums.
Without waiting for some expert to see the pictures, connect the video to your computer and try to install a driver on it from the Intel or AMD website. Determine the driver version by the GPU model. How to do this, read above.
If there is no suitable driver (the video card is too old) or it does not get up for some reason, try to identify the GPU model using the hardware ID from the Device Manager. In nature, there is such a phenomenon as re-labeling of video chips by unscrupulous sellers, so the inscriptions on the crystal can not always be trusted.
If you managed to find out the name of the manufacturer of the video card, install the service utilities on the computer from the official website. They often recognize related devices better than universal programs.
If all efforts were unsuccessful, it remains to hope and wait for outside help. Post photos of vidyashki on other computer resources, bring up old topics, and sooner or later someone will definitely answer you.
More on the site:
How to find out what processor and video card are on your computer updated: March 3, 2018 by: Johnny mnemonic
How to find out which processor is on the computer - this question was asked by many users when faced with the need to make changes to the computer's hardware to perform an upgrade. It is useful to know information about the processor in any case, since the overall performance of the computer largely depends on this device.
Central Processing Unit (CPU) - Central processing unit that executes program code, an essential part of a computer's hardware. The main characteristics of the central processor: manufacturer, clock speed, bit width, size of the technological process, socket (socket), cache memory size, power consumption and heat dissipation, processor operating temperature, multiplier and system bus, number of cores, integrated graphics core (if available).
The main manufacturers of central processing units are the American companies Intel and AMD. Processors manufactured by these companies differ technologically and cannot be installed instead of each other.
Where can I see the processor on the computer? The processor is installed on the motherboard in the computer case. How to view the processor on a laptop or computer? To do this, you will need to open the computer case, but external inspection is not enough, which will give you an understanding of the characteristics of the central processor.
The ability to use a particular CPU depends on the motherboard of the computer. Motherboards are made for a specific processor manufacturer: Intel or AMD. Depending on the socket (connector) on the motherboard, only a certain type of CPU can be installed on the product.
Taking these arguments into account, the user needs to get an answer to the question of how to find out which processor is installed on the computer. For general information, you can use the system tools for information. For a future replacement of the central processor, you need to find out the detailed characteristics of the installed processor.
This has its own nuances, because you can't just replace one processor with another, even from the same manufacturer. First, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the processor installed on the PC, and then select a new compatible central processor. You need to get detailed information about the CPU, what is the frequency of the processor, what socket the processor has, what bit of the processor, etc., in order to find out which processor can be installed instead of the existing one.
The software that runs in the Windows operating system will help you get the information you need about the central processing unit. This method will allow the user to make the right decision, because otherwise it will be very difficult, for example, to find out which processor is on the laptop. The most general information can be found using system tools, and for more detailed information, you will need to use third-party software.
In this article we will consider both cases: instructions on how to view the processor and its main characteristics in Windows, or using third-party applications that provide detailed information.
First, I'll talk about the Windows System Tools, which provide an overview.
How to view the processor in Windows 10
In the Windows 10 operating system, right-click the Start menu and then select the System menu item.
In the "About System" window, you will get basic information about the processor installed on your computer.
How to view the processor in Windows 7
For Windows 7 operating system, for general processor information, do the following:
- Right click on the Computer (My Computer) icon on your Desktop.
- Select Properties from the context menu.
In the window "View basic information about your computer", in the "Systems" section, you will find basic information about the central processor.
How to find out which processor is installed on your PC using the System Information tool
The Windows operating system has a built-in utility called msinfo32, which can be used to obtain detailed information about the system. The utility can be launched using the Run command or from the Start menu (in Windows 10, from the Windows Administrative Tools folder).
In the System Information tool window, you will see general information about the processor on your computer.
We get information about the processor in Device Manager
Device Manager displays information about all devices on your computer, including information about the central processing unit.
For information, follow these steps:
- Open Device Manager in one of the convenient ways.
- In the Device Manager window, click on the arrow next to the Processor device.
The main parameters of the central processor will be displayed here: manufacturer, brand, type, clock frequency.
In this case, the Task Manager displays the number of logical processes, not the number of CPU cores, since Hyper-Threading technology divides one core into two logical processes.
How to find out which processor is on your computer using Task Manager in Windows 10
Using the Task Manager in the Windows 10 operating system, you can find out the main characteristics of the CPU.
- Enter the Task Manager in one of the convenient ways.
- Open the "Performance" tab, click on "CPU".
The Task Manager window displays basic information about the CPU and the amount of resources used.
How to Get Processor Information in the DxDiag Diagnostic Tool
The DxDiag system tool provides an overview of the central processing unit.
- Press the "Win" + "R" keys on the keyboard.
- In the Run window, enter: "dxdiag" (without quotes).
In the "DirectX Diagnostic Tool" window, in the "System" tab, general information about the computer's processor will be displayed.
How to find out information about the processor through the command line
Using the command line, you can get general information about the system, including information about the central processor.
Run Command Prompt as Administrator, enter the command: "systeminfo" (without quotes), and then press "Enter" on your keyboard.
The command line interpreter window will show the system information, where you will find the processor information.
How to get processor information in Windows PowerShell
In a similar way, you can find out information about the system in Windows PowerShell.
Start Windows PowerShell as an administrator, enter the command: "systeminfo" (without quotes), and then press the "Enter" key.
A Windows PowerShell window displays some information about the processor on your computer.
How to find out which processor is installed on a computer in CPU-Z
The free CPU-Z program provides comprehensive information about the central processing unit installed on a computer. The CPU-Z program shows detailed information about the main hardware of the computer in English.
Run the CPU-Z application on the computer. The "CPU" tab will display all information about the central processor: processor model, codename, socket used, technological process, specification and other useful data.
The Caches tab displays information about the CPU cache and all cache levels.
Find out information about the central processing unit in the Speccy
The free Speccy program shows detailed information about the hardware of your computer.
In the Speccy window on the side panel, open the "Central Processing Unit" section. Here you can find the information you need about your processor.
How to find processor information in AIDA64
AIDA64 is the most powerful tool that provides information about all the components of your computer. Among the extensive information, the user will find the necessary information about the central processor.
In the main window of the AIDA64 program, in the side column under the "Menu" tab, first open "Motherboard" and then select "CPU" to get detailed information about the central processor.
Processor information in SIW
SIW (System Information for Windows) is a powerful program for providing information about the software and hardware of a computer. SIW is the main competitor to AIDA64.
In the SIW program window, in the left column, select the "Hardware" section, and then click on "Processor". The central area of the SIW window displays details of the CPU.
Conclusion
To obtain information about the central processor installed on a computer, the user can use the tools of the Windows operating system, or third-party programs. System tools provide general data about the central processing unit, and third-party applications provide detailed information.
