Knowing what graphics card you have is one of the most important factors when evaluating whether or not your PC can run a game you want to play or if it can be used for other GPU tasks, such as 3D modeling or rendering.
You can probably perform all of these tasks, even with an integrated GPU, but only to a limited extent.
In some cases, upgrading an integrated graphics card on a laptop will be impossible, but it’s still important to know which integrated GPU you have. They have come a long way and can now even play some more demanding games.
Combined with the CPU and RAM, the GPU is a key component when assessing the system requirements to see if you can run the game you want to play.
As long as the CPU and RAM meet the minimum system requirements, you should have a pleasant playing experience.
However, if the GPU is also at the minimum, you might not have the satisfying gaming experience you hoped for. Upgrading the GPU can make a world of difference, so keep that in mind.
There are several ways to check what graphics card you have, so let’s take a look at them.
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Device Manager
There are two methods to access Device Manager. The first is to simply right-click on the This PC icon on your desktop and choose “Properties“, then click “Device Manager” on the upper-left side of the screen.
The other way is to enter the Control Panel and type in “Device Manager”. Both methods are pretty simple.
Once you have opened the Device Manager, look for the ‘Display adapters‘ option in the tree.
Clicking it should reveal the exact model of your card and its manufacturer. If it doesn’t, you can right-click it and select “Properties“. Once it opens, select the “Details” tab, and you should be able to see the name of your GPU.
Task Manager
This is probably the easiest way to check what GPU you have. As a bonus, you’ll be able to see how much stress it is currently under.
To access the Task Manager, right-click the taskbar and select the “Task Manager” option. Once it opens, click the “Performance” tab, look at the column on the left, find the “GPU” option, and click it.
In the upper-right corner of that window, you will see the manufacturer and model of your GPU.
DxDiag
DxDiag is a Windows-integrated diagnostics tool that can tell you about your CPU and RAM, as well as provide information on your GPU. To access it, press the Windows button + R and type in “dxdiag” when the window appears. Click “OK”, and DxDiag will launch.
When it opens, click the “Display” tab and look for the field labeled “Name”. It should be in the first row of the “Device” subsection and will show you the name of your GPU and its manufacturer.
Third-Party Software
If for some reason, none of the solutions above are working for you, it might be a good idea to download third-party software that can easily detect the hardware inside your PC.
CPU-Z
This is currently quite a popular option as it is simple to use and lightweight. You don’t even need to install it. Don’t let the name fool you, however; CPU-Z provides information about your RAM, CPU, GPU, and most of the other components.
To use it, head to the official CPU-Z website and download the ZIP version. Extract and run the .exe file (either the 32-bit or 64-bit version, depending on your system). In a few minutes, the program will analyze all of the PC components, and you can open the ‘Graphics‘ tab.
In this tab, you will see the name, manufacturer, code name, architecture, and anything else you could want to know about your graphics card.
HWiNFO
This is not exactly a direct alternative to CPU-Z, as HWiNFO is focused specifically on monitoring temperatures, RPM, clock speeds, etc. However, it can still provide the information you’re looking for.
Head over to the HWiNFO website, download the Portable version, extract it, and run the .exe file. It will take a moment to detect your hardware and find all the necessary temperature sensors.
Once the initialization is complete, scroll through the program until you see “GPU temperatures” or “GPU Clock Speed“. The name above these values should be that of your graphics card.
You can also keep using this program to further monitor the state of your PC.
MSI Afterburner
MSI Afterburner is one of the best third-party tools for overclocking or undervolting GPUs. Overclockers have been using this tool for many years.
It also contains all of the necessary information related to the GPU. If you are looking for a strong alternative, head to the MSI Afterburner website and download the program.
In this case, you will need to install the software; there’s no option for a portable version.
After the installation, select the gear symbol located on the left side to view the status of your GPU and other helpful details.
