What GPU do I have? 7 Ways to Check Your PC’s GPU

What GPU do I have? This question is very popular with new gamers, and we will help you answer it. Do you want to transform your computer into the best gaming PC? Then, you will know how important the Graphics Processing Unit, also called GPU, is. For this reason, you need to check your GPU to compare it with the requirements of the video games you want to play.

What Is the GPU?

You have heard a lot about powerful GPUs for gaming computers, but do you know what they do? The GPU is your graphics card’s nerve center; it is where all the necessary processing takes place before images or videos are shown on your screen.

In application, when you turn on your computer, the GPU fetches texture data from the graphics card memory then performs quick calculations to process the data. When done, it sends the data to your computer’s RAM and once recorded, the data, which could be images, videos, or more, is displayed on your gaming monitor.

Is the GPU the Same As Graphics Cards?

While GPU and graphic card are terms used interchangeably, they have a small difference in how they operate. As you’ve seen, the GPU reads data from the graphics card and then processes it to display it on your monitors. The GPU is often designed as a component in the graphics card to process data for the graphics card.

But, since the GPU is usually a component in your graphics card, you will be checking which video card your computer uses. So, there are several ways to check your GPU without further ado easily.

What Graphics Processing Unit Do I Have on My Windows PC?

When you know what the GPU does and how it works, you need to check which one you have on your computer. Here are a few methods to check your GPU without opening up your computer.

1. Through Settings

The easiest way to check your GPU is through the Settings feature on your laptop. To do so;

Step 1: Go to the Start Menu (Windows logo) and click Settings.

Step 2: When you click Settings, click System.

Step 3: Select Display, and go to Advanced Display Settings.

Step 4: When you open the Advanced Display Settings, you want to Check the Display Information sections. The section lists the graphics card you use, ultimately telling you which GPU you use. You can see it from the Display 1 section as below.

Image source: 25pc.com

Further, the Display information also includes other details such as your computer’s refresh rate and resolution, which are vital for gaming.

2. Through the System Information Window

This method allows you to check your graphics card and GPU. You can also check other features such as RAM and other accompanying drivers. To check your GPU;

Step 1: Open the computer’s Start Menu and type System Information. The feature will appear before you finish typing, in which case, you can select it when it shows.

Step 2: under System Information, head over to the Components option and click the + symbol on its side.

Step 3: After you click the + symbol, click on Display, and your requested information will refresh on the right panel.

Step 4: You can now see which graphics card you have, its ID and type. This tells you which GPU your computer has, as shown below.

Image source: 25pc.com

As you can see, you can also view other components under the System Information + Components method, including the RAM.

3. Through the Device Manager

Let us walk you through learning which graphics card or GPU brand you use with your gaming PC.

Step 1: The Device Manager is a component that allows you to monitor the operating system. To access it, go to the Start Menu and type Device Manager. Then, select it when it pops up.

Step 2: When you access Device Manager, scroll down to the Display Adapters option, as shown below.

Image source: 25pc.com

Double click Display Adapters or click its drop-down arrow to display the graphics card your computer has.

4. Through the Task Manager

The Task Manager is a Windows feature that allows you to monitor your computer performance and is a great place to visit when checking your GPU information. To do so;

Step 1: Head over to the Start Menu and type Task Manager. Click on the app once it pops up. If it does not display the performance information, click More Details.

Step 2: When you click More Details, the app will display several sections, including Processes, Performance, App History, and more. Select the Performance tab to continue to check your GPU.

Step 3: Under the Performance tab, click on GPU. Doing so will display the graphics card your computer has, as shown below.

Image source: 25pc.com

5. Use the Directx Diagnostic Tool

The Directx diagnostic tool is a built-in tool that displays a lot of information about your computer. When you need to check your GPU, it is a great tool to turn t as we show you below;

Step 1: Tap the Start Menu and type “dxdiag.” Type enter, which will bring the option to run the command. Do so as an administrator and wait for the app to open.

Step 2: Once open, the Directx diagnostic tool will display several tabs, including System, Display, Sound, and Input. To check your GPU, you will click on the Display Tab.

Step 3: The Display tab displays your computer’s Graphics card manufacturer and name, as shown below.

Image source: 25pc.com

6. Through the Control Panel

You can also check your GPU from the controls panel. The control panel allows you to check the GPU in two methods;

The first one can guide you to the Device Manager window.The second method applies when your computer has the Nvidia display driver. You can use the control panel to access the Nvidia control panel, which would show your computer’s GPU.

a) To find your GPU using the first method;

Step 1: Go to the Windows Start Menu and type Control panel.

Step 2: When it opens, click on Device Manager under Devices and Printers, as shown below.

Image source: 25pc.com

When you access the Device Manager, you can carry out the steps indicated for the process in method 3 above.

b) To access the Nvidia control panel;

Step 1: Open the computer’s Start Menu and type Control Panel.

Step 2: When it opens, click Hardware and Sound.

Step 3: Under hardware and Sound select Nvidia control panel to open it.

Step 4: Next, click System Information at the bottom left corner of the Nvidia control panel, as shown below. The option will display the graphics card on your computer and other features like memory.

Image source: avast.com

What GPU DO I Have on Mac?

Unlike in Windows computers, there is one method you can use to check GPU on a Mac. The steps are as follows;

Step 1: Open the Start Menu by tapping the Apple logo at the top left corner of your screen.

Step 2: ClickAbout this Mac from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: After clicking About this Mac, a new pop-up window will appear containing several tabs like Overview, Displays, Storage, and Support. Select the Overview tab to find your GPU information, as shown below.

Suppose you want to find more details about your GPU. In that case, you can click the System report feature below your GOU information select Graphics/Displays to reveal more information such as brand, VRAM, resolution, as shown below.

Image source: alphr.com

Frequently Asked Questions About Checking GPU on Your Computers

a) Why is checking my GPU important?

You need to know which graphics card and GPU you are using on your computer to set up a powerful gaming system. The GPU is an integral part of your gaming system as it displays images and videos fast for a great gaming experience.

And since different games demand greater GPU performance, you need to know your GPU brand, RAM, and more features to compare compatibility with your gaming console.

b) What are the different types of GPUS?

When setting up your gaming PC, you will want to know how powerful your GPU is. To do so, you need to understand the two main types of graphics cards on most computers. These are; the integrated graphics card and the discrete graphics card, also called separate graphics card.

Integrated graphics cards are built directly to the motherboard or CPU of the computer. If your computer has this graphics card, you will be able to run simpler tasks such as web browsing, sending and receiving emails, and working on documents. These graphics cards are found in thinner and lighter computers that do not consume a lot of power. However, they are not enough for heavy gaming.

A discrete graphics card is built separately from the CPU and has dedicated memory. These graphics cards are mostly found in bulkier computers such as desktops, and they consume more power and generally cost more money. However, they are your best bets for gaming as they pack better performance to process images and videos faster. In addition, they have their separate cooling solution for even better gaming.

c) Which are the best GPU or graphics card brands?

Now that you’ve checked your graphics hardware, do you want to know if you can build the best gaming setup? You can trust the following brands to deliver the best GPU for your computers.

AMD RadeonNvidiaIntel