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How to check graphics card in laptop?

Published in Laptop Graphics Card 4 mins read

Checking your laptop's graphics card, also known as the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), is straightforward and can be done using several built-in Windows tools or third-party software. Knowing your GPU model is essential for updating drivers, checking compatibility for games or software, and troubleshooting performance issues.

1. Using Task Manager (Quickest Method)

The Task Manager provides a quick and detailed overview of your graphics card's status and specifications.

  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del on your keyboard.
  2. Select Task Manager from the options that appear.
  3. In the Task Manager window, click on the Performance tab.
  4. In the left navigation pane, select GPU. If your laptop has multiple GPUs (e.g., integrated and dedicated), you might see "GPU 0" and "GPU 1".
  5. This display will show your graphics card name (e.g., Intel UHD Graphics, NVIDIA GeForce RTX), along with real-time performance statistics, including GPU Temperature and Utilization.
  6. To check your graphics card memory, look for Dedicated GPU memory. It will show you the exact amount of VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) your GPU has.

2. Using Device Manager (Basic Information)

The Device Manager is a core Windows utility that lists all hardware components connected to your system.

  1. Right-click on the Start button (or press Windows key + X).
  2. Select Device Manager from the context menu.
  3. In the Device Manager window, expand the Display adapters category.
  4. You will see the name(s) of your graphics card(s) listed here. For example, you might see "Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics" and "NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU."

3. Using DirectX Diagnostic Tool (Detailed Specs)

The DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag) provides comprehensive information about your system's hardware, including detailed graphics card specifications and driver versions.

  1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type dxdiag and press Enter.
  3. If prompted, click Yes to allow the tool to check for signed drivers.
  4. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window, click on the Display tab (or Display 1 and Display 2 if you have multiple cards/monitors).
  5. Under the "Device" section, you'll find details like the Name of your graphics card, Manufacturer, Chip Type, DAC Type, Device Type, and Display Memory (VRAM). It also shows the current Driver Version and date.

4. Using System Information (General Overview)

System Information provides a summary of your entire system's hardware and software configuration.

  1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
  3. In the System Information window, navigate to Components > Display in the left-hand pane.
  4. Here, you'll find information about your display adapters, including the Name, Adapter Type, Adapter Description, and Installed Drivers.

5. Using Third-Party Software (Advanced Details)

For more in-depth analysis, including clock speeds, fan speeds, and sensor data, specialized third-party tools are available.

  • GPU-Z: A lightweight utility that provides detailed information about your graphics card, including core clock, memory clock, shader clock, GPU temperature, and sensor readings.
  • HWMonitor: Monitors your system's health, including GPU temperature, fan speeds, and voltage.

Comparing Methods

Here's a quick comparison of the common methods to help you choose the best one for your needs:

Method Ease of Use Information Provided Best For
Task Manager Easy GPU Name, Real-time Performance (Utilization, Temperature), Dedicated GPU memory Quick overview, performance monitoring, VRAM check
Device Manager Very Easy GPU Name(s) Basic identification
DirectX Diagnostic Moderate GPU Name, Manufacturer, Chip Type, Driver Version, Driver Date, Display Memory (VRAM), Shared Memory Detailed specs, driver info, VRAM check
System Information Moderate GPU Name, Adapter Type, Adapter Description, Driver Version General system overview
Third-Party Tools Easy Extensive details including clock speeds, temperatures, fan speeds, sensor data, BIOS version, power consumption, etc. In-depth analysis, advanced users

By using any of these methods, you can quickly and accurately identify your laptop's graphics card, understand its capabilities, and ensure it's functioning optimally.