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Read moreHow to check your PC specs
Knowing how to check your computer specs makes discovering and understanding the computer hardware you have simple. You might not have looked at your computer specs before, especially if you have a pre-built system, but knowing what they are can be very helpful.
- Running applications: Curious to know if that new application will run on your computer? Music, design, and graphics software can ask a lot of a PC.
- Playing games: If you're a gamer, you know how much modern games demand from your system. New titles are always pushing what a PC can do. If you're wondering if your computer can run a specific game, knowing how to check your PC specs will save you the frustration of finding out after you downloaded it.
- Compatible upgrades: Knowing the specifications of your computer can help when it comes time to upgrade your PC. Find out what RAM slots or internal SATA ports you have available and check your CPU specs to see what your motherboard can take.
- Information: Simply knowing exactly what your computer was built from can be useful, especially if you are planning to repurpose or sell it.
1) Check your computer specs with our free online scanner tools
An online tool can quickly reveal all your desktop or laptop specifications while also listing compatible components. Choose a well-respected tool, such as the Crucial System Scanner or the Crucial System Selector.
Crucial System Scanner
The Crucial System Scanner safely checks your system bios and provides a detailed report of your PC specs and more. It doesn't gain access to your files, so there's no need to worry about the security of your private information. If you’re using a Mac, this is the option you should choose.
The scanner can also show the amount of memory you have and how much memory your system is designed to handle. It even provides a list of compatible upgrade components, including solid state drives and memory modules, which is great if you're looking to upgrade your PC.
The Crucial System Scanner can provide detailed information about your computer, including:
- Current memory configuration: It shows the amount of RAM installed and the type of memory modules.
- Maximum memory capacity: It indicates how much memory your system can handle.
- Storage drives: It lists your current storage devices, including both HDDs and SSDs.
- Compatible upgrades: It suggests memory and storage upgrades that can be compatible with your system.
- System BIOS information: It checks your system BIOS to provide accurate details about your hardware.
- Operating system: It identifies the operating system you are using.
- Motherboard details: It provides information about your motherboard model and specifications.
Crucial System Selector
The Crucial System Selector will provide much of the same information as the scanner but rather than scanning your device, it will guide you to supply three pieces of information: the manufacturer, product line, and model of your computer.
Compatibility
Both tools include compatibility information for more than 110,000 systems in their database, so your system is likely on the list.
Crucial works toward finding you a selection of compatible options to minimize the stress and worry you might have about buying RAM or an SSD that supports your system.
2) Check your computer specs in your system settings
Checking the specs on your desktop, laptop, or Mac is a straightforward process. Your system won't display compatible component upgrades, but it will show you details about your existing computer specifications.
The process is slightly different depending on what version of Windows or Mac you are running.
- For Windows 10 and 11, click the Windows Start icon, then Settings (gear icon), click About, followed by Device Specifications if on Windows 11.
- For Mac, click on the Apple icon, choose About This Mac, and the overview specs tab will open.
How to check PC specs on Windows 11
- Right-click on the Windows Start icon on the left side of the bottom menu.
- Select System from the menu.
- You'll find your system details under Device Specifications.
How to check PC specs on Windows 10
- Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left corner
- Click the Settings (gear) icon
- Select System
- On the left-hand side, select About
- You'll find a range of data about your device and specifications
How to check PC specs on versions prior to Windows 10
- Click the Start button
- Type Computer in the search box
- Right-click on Computer
- Select Properties
- A window will display a range of information about your device specifications
How to check your Mac’s specs
- Click the Apple icon on the top left side
- Choose About This Mac
- The overview tab will provide all the required information
3) Find the computer make, model, and serial number manually (pre-built systems only)
Using an online tool or checking your specs in your settings is simple and provides tons of information. However, checking your PC specs manually is helpful if you're ever in a situation where you're having technical issues, or if your computer won't turn on.
If you have a pre-built system or laptop, you can find your computer's make, model, and serial number on your system's case cover. Most computers will list the information you need somewhere on the outside of the machine.
Keep an eye out for any labels or metal plates attached to the front or back of your system. You can also consult your owner's manual if you know where it is.
If you can only find a serial number, you can Google it or check the manufacturer's website for more information.
If your system has been upgraded, then the manual check won’t be able to give you the full picture. This is also true if you built the computer yourself. In this case, use a system scanner instead.
4) Finding hardware information
Generally, hardware components in your computer, such as the processor and any video cards, will be listed in the same area as the operating system in your System Settings.
Hardware that connects to your computers, such as printers, keyboards, and other peripherals, will be listed under Connected devices or printers.
FAQs
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