How to Check Your PC Specs in Windows 11

Knowing how to check your PC specs helps when you are troubleshooting a slow computer, checking whether a game will run, planning a hardware upgrade, or comparing your current machine with a new one. In Windows 11, you can find your processor, RAM, graphics card, storage, motherboard, BIOS, and Windows version without installing extra software.
Here are the quickest and most reliable ways to find the information you need.
Quick Ways to Check Your PC Specs
Different Windows tools reveal different parts of your computer specs, so you do not need to dig through every menu.
|
What you want to check |
Best Windows tool |
How to open it |
|
CPU, installed RAM and system type |
Settings |
Settings > System > About |
|
CPU, RAM, GPU and disk activity |
Task Manager |
Ctrl + Shift + Esc |
|
Motherboard, BIOS and system model |
System Information |
Win + R > msinfo32 |
|
GPU, display memory and DirectX |
DirectX Diagnostic Tool |
Win + R > dxdiag |
|
Storage capacity and free space |
Settings |
Settings > System > Storage |
If you want to understand what those components actually mean for performance, our guide to desktop PC specifications covers the CPU, memory, graphics and storage in more detail.
Check Basic PC Specs in Windows Settings
For a quick overview, Windows Settings is the easiest place to start.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select System.
- Scroll down and choose About.
- Look under Device specifications.
You should see your processor model, installed RAM, device type and whether you are running a 64-bit or 32-bit operating system.
Further down, Windows specifications show your Windows edition, version and OS build. This is worth checking if you are troubleshooting software compatibility or deciding whether your operating system needs updating.
Settings will not give you every hardware detail, however. For the graphics card, motherboard and more detailed system information, use the methods below.

Check Your CPU, RAM and GPU in Task Manager
Task Manager is particularly useful when you want to see both your hardware and how heavily it is being used.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, then select Performance.
Choose each component from the left-hand panel:
- CPU: processor model, utilisation, speed, cores and logical processors
- Memory: installed RAM, current usage and additional memory information
- Disk: drive activity and information about installed storage
- GPU: graphics processor, utilisation and graphics memory usage
If your computer has both integrated and dedicated graphics, you may see GPU 0 and GPU 1 listed separately. This is common on gaming laptops and PCs.
Checking the exact GPU is especially important before comparing game requirements or planning an upgrade. If you are upgrading a desktop, you can compare current graphics cards, but first check your power supply, case clearance and motherboard compatibility. If Task Manager shows a lower memory speed than you expected, our guide to why RAM is running below its advertised speed explains how memory profiles, hardware limits and reporting methods can affect the number you see.
Find Your Motherboard and BIOS Details
If you are replacing a processor, upgrading memory or diagnosing compatibility problems, you will normally need more than the basic Windows specification list.
Press Windows + R, type msinfo32 and press Enter. The System Information window can show details including:
- System manufacturer
- System model
- Processor
- BIOS version and date
- BIOS mode
- BaseBoard manufacturer
- BaseBoard product
- Installed physical memory
- Secure Boot state
The BaseBoard entries are particularly useful when trying to identify your motherboard. Furthermore, if you are checking the BIOS because your memory is not reaching its rated specification, read our XMP vs EXPO guide to understand how these RAM profiles work on compatible Intel and AMD systems.
Expert Tip: Run System Information as an administrator if you are using it for detailed troubleshooting. Microsoft notes that some driver information may not be reported correctly without administrator privileges.
Do not rely on the motherboard name alone when buying an upgrade. Check the manufacturer's specification or support page for CPU support, BIOS requirements, RAM generation and available expansion slots.
Check Your Graphics Card with DxDiag
If you specifically need to check your graphics card, driver or DirectX information, use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
- Press Windows + R.
- Type dxdiag.
- Press Enter.
- Open the Display tab.
You can find information such as the GPU name, display memory, current display mode and graphics driver details. The System tab also shows your processor, memory, Windows build and installed DirectX version.
There is also a Save All Information option. This creates a text report that can be useful if you need to send your system specifications to technical support.
Check Storage Capacity and Free Space
To see how much storage you have left:
- Open Settings.
- Select System > Storage.
- Review the capacity and usage of your main drive.
Windows also breaks storage usage into categories such as installed apps, temporary files and documents, which can help if your drive is unexpectedly full.
For additional drive information, open Task Manager > Performance and select the relevant disk. Windows may identify whether the drive is an SSD or HDD and display its model.
If storage is the main limitation and your system supports an upgrade, compare capacity, interface and form factor before choosing an internal SSD. An M.2 drive will not automatically work in every M.2 slot, so check whether your motherboard or laptop supports the required SATA or NVMe interface. Planning an NVMe upgrade? Check whether an NVMe SSD needs a heatsink before buying, particularly if you have a high-performance drive or a motherboard with its own M.2 cooling.

Check If Your PC Can Run Windows 11
Checking your PC specifications is particularly important if you are still using an older Windows computer. Standard support for Windows 10 ended on 14 October 2025, making hardware compatibility with Windows 11 increasingly important.
Microsoft's Windows 11 minimum requirements include:
- A compatible processor
- At least 4GB RAM
- At least 64GB storage
- UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability
- TPM 2.0
- DirectX 12-compatible graphics with a suitable driver
Rather than checking every requirement manually, Microsoft's PC Health Check app can assess Windows 11 eligibility and tell you why a device does or does not meet the requirements.
If an older laptop cannot meet requirements because of non-upgradable hardware, comparing current Windows 11 laptops may be more practical than replacing individual components.
Record These Specs Before an Upgrade
Do not buy replacement hardware using only a general description such as “Intel Core i5 PC” or “16GB computer”. Record the exact system specifications first.
|
Component |
Information to record |
Why it matters |
|
CPU |
Exact processor model |
Performance and motherboard compatibility |
|
Motherboard |
Manufacturer and model |
CPU, RAM and expansion support |
|
RAM |
Capacity, generation and speed |
Memory compatibility |
|
GPU |
Exact model and graphics memory |
Gaming and software requirements |
|
Storage |
Type, interface and capacity |
Drive compatibility and available space |
|
BIOS |
Version and date |
Some CPUs require specific BIOS versions |
For a desktop upgrade, you may also need your PSU wattage, available power connectors and case dimensions.
Important: Windows normally cannot tell you the exact PSU model or wattage. Check the label on the physical power supply, the original PC specification sheet or the manufacturer's documentation instead.
Before ordering any PC components, confirm compatibility with your exact system rather than assuming a part will fit because its headline specifications look similar.
What About Laptop Specifications?
The Windows methods above work on both desktops and laptops, but laptop upgrades need extra care.
Some machines use soldered RAM, while others have replaceable SO-DIMM modules. Storage can also vary between M.2 NVMe, M.2 SATA and 2.5-inch drives. Even when Windows identifies a component, it cannot tell you whether that component is physically replaceable.
Check your laptop's official service manual or manufacturer documentation before opening the chassis or ordering replacement hardware. If the machine is no longer suited to your workload, you can use the specifications you have recorded to compare newer laptops more accurately.

Do You Need Third-Party Software?
For most people, no. Settings, Task Manager, System Information and DxDiag provide enough hardware information to identify the major components in a Windows PC.
Specialist tools can provide extra information such as temperatures, detailed memory timings and sensor readings, but only download utilities from trusted developers or official manufacturer websites.
If you are troubleshooting, start with Windows' built-in tools first. They are often enough to identify the hardware involved without adding another application to the system.

Final Thoughts
Learning how to check your PC specs takes only a few minutes. Start with Settings > System > About for your CPU and RAM, use Task Manager for performance and GPU information, msinfo32 for motherboard and BIOS details, and dxdiag for graphics and DirectX information.
More importantly, record the exact model numbers before upgrading or comparing systems. If your current machine no longer meets your software, gaming or Windows requirements, you can use those details to explore desktop PCs at Laptop Outlet and see exactly what an upgrade would change.

FAQs
What is the fastest way to check PC specs?
Open Settings > System > About. You will see your processor, installed RAM, system type and Windows version. Use Task Manager if you also need GPU and performance information.
How do I find out what graphics card I have?
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, open Performance and select GPU. Alternatively, run dxdiag and open the Display tab for graphics processor and driver information.
How can I check my motherboard model?
Press Windows + R, enter msinfo32 and look for BaseBoard Manufacturer and BaseBoard Product. Prebuilt systems may instead emphasise the PC manufacturer's system model.
Can Windows tell me my PSU wattage?
Usually not. Windows does not reliably report a power supply's model or wattage. Check the physical PSU label, manufacturer documentation or original desktop specification instead.
How do I know if my PC supports Windows 11?
Use Microsoft's PC Health Check tool. It checks your system against Windows 11 requirements, including processor compatibility, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, RAM, and storage.
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