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A straightforward guide for checking your computer’s motherboard
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Knowing your motherboard's (or baseboard's) manufacturer, and model number is useful information to have, whether you want to upgrade your computer's parts or you are troubleshooting an issue. This wikiHow article teaches you how to check your motherboard on a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer.
Identify your Motherboard
- Press Windows Key + R to open Run.
- Enter "msinfo32" into Run and click Ok .
- Identify the motherboard or baseboard manufacturer, model, and version.
Steps
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Press ⊞ Win + R . This opens the Run windows.
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Type msinfo32 and click Ok . Type this command in the Run window next to "Open." Then click Ok at the bottom of the window. This opens the Windows System Information utility.Advertisement
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Identify your motherboard. The System Information window has a lot of info about your computer's specs. The motherboard should be listed as "Motherboard" or "BaseBoard." This utility tells you your baseboard manufacturer, baseboard model, and baseboard version. [1] X Research source
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Look up your motherboard online. If you're missing any of the information mentioned above, enter the information that you do have and the word "motherboard" into a search engine.
- You can use this information to determine what kind of hardware can be added to your computer.
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Open the Command Prompt. You can check your motherboard's manufacturer and model in the Windows Command Prompt using a simple command. Use the following steps to open the Command Prompt.
- Click the Windows Start menu.
- Type CMD .
- Click the Command Prompt
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Enter the following command and press ↵ Enter . This will display information about your motherboard. The command is as follows:
- wmic baseboard get product, manufacturer, version, serialnumber
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Review your motherboard's information. Look at the pieces of information below the following headings:
- Manufacturer - Your motherboard's manufacturer. This will usually be the same company that made your computer.
- Product — Your motherboard's product number.
- Serial number — Your motherboard's individual serial number.
- Version — The version number for your motherboard.
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Look up your motherboard online. If you're missing any of the information mentioned above, enter the information that you do have and the word "motherboard" into a search engine.
- You can use this information to determine what kind of hardware can be added to your computer.
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Open the Speccy website. Go to https://www.piriform.com/speccy in your browser. Speccy is a third-party app for Windows that can check your computer's specs, including your motherboard.
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Download Speccy. Use the following steps to download Speccy from the website:
- Click Download Free Version .
- Click Free Download on the next page.
- Click the green Download button.
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Install Speccy. Once you have downloaded the setup file, Use the following steps to install Speccy:
- Double-click the setup file in your Downloads folder.
- Click Yes when prompted.
- Check the "No thanks, I don't need CCleaner" box in the bottom-right corner.
- Click Install
- Wait for Speccy to finish installing.
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Click Run Speccy when prompted. It's a purple button in the middle of the setup window. Speccy will open.
- If you don't want to see Speccy's release notes online, first uncheck the "View release notes" box below the Run Speccy button.
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Click Motherboard . This tab is on the left side of the Speccy window.
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Review your motherboard's information. Beneath the "Motherboard" heading at the top of the window, you'll see several pieces of information pertaining to your motherboard's manufacturer, model, version, and more.
- You can use this information to determine what kind of hardware can be added to your computer.
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Open the Apple menu . Click the Apple-shaped logo in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
- Macs typically don't have interchangeable parts, so you usually won't need information about your Mac's motherboard. However, if you do need that information, you can look up information about your motherboard using the model number.
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Click About This Mac . It's near the top of the drop-down menu.
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Note the serial number. Look at the number to the right of the "Serial Number" heading.
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Look up your Mac in a specs database. Once you have your serial number, go to a site like https://www.powerbookmedic.com/identify-mac-serial.php or https://everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/ . Plug your Mac’s serial number into the search field and press the search button.
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Find your Mac’s model number. The search results should display a detailed breakdown of your Mac’s specs, but you might not see information about the motherboard. If not, locate the model number in the specs. You can use this to find information about the motherboard.
- For example, your 2020 MacBook Air may have the model number “A2337.”
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Search for the model number and motherboard type. Go to Google and enter your model number plus “motherboard” or “motherboard type.” The search results should display motherboards compatible with your model of Mac.
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Press Ctrl + Alt + T . This opens the Terminal in most Linux distributions.
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Enter the command to check your motherboard. Enter the following command and press Enter to check your motherboard specifications:
- sudo dmidecode -t 2
- Alternatively, you can type dmidecode -t baseboard for more details about your motherboard.
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Review your board's information. This command should return information about your board's manufacturer, model, serial number, and features. [2] X Research source
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Power down your computer. Make sure that all of your work is saved, then press the "Power" switch on the back of the computer's CPU box.
- This method will only work for desktop Windows computers.
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Unplug everything from your computer's CPU box. This includes power cables, Ethernet cables, USB connectors, and audio cables.
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Ground yourself. A small static discharge can cause permanent damage to your computer's components. Be sure to ground yourself by touching something metal or wearing static wrist guards before tinkering around inside your computer.
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Prepare to open the case. Lay the case on a table or work surface, resting it on the side so that all of the connectors on the back are closest to the table. These connectors are attached to the motherboard and will help you determine if your case is laid on the correct side.
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Open the case. Most cases have thumbscrews securing the panel, though older cases may require the use of a Phillips-head screwdriver. You can also use a screwdriver on the thumbscrews if they are too tight. These screws are typically located running along the edge of the back side of the tower.
- After removing the screws holding the panel in place, you'll typically slide it off or open it like a door, depending on the case.
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Find the motherboard model number. This is usually printed on the motherboard, but can be located in several possible locations; for example, it may be printed near the RAM slots, near the CPU socket, or between the PCI slots. It may only be a model number without a manufacturer listed, but many modern motherboards will list both manufacturer and model.
- There will be a lot of writing on the motherboard, but the model number is usually written in the largest text.
- Motherboard model numbers are typically a collection of numbers and letters.
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Look up the manufacturer by model number. If you can't find a manufacturer printed on the motherboard, you can usually quickly find it by entering your motherboard's model number into a search engine. Include the word "motherboard" in your search to cut down on results that aren't computer-related.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I find a chipset version on my motherboard?Community AnswerGo to the manufacturer's website and search your motherboard or computer type. The specs will be available there, and you will be able to quickly discover the chipset.
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QuestionHow do I choose RAM memory?Community AnswerCheck to see what kind of RAM your motherboard needs (DDR2, DDR3, etc.). Don't worry too much about RAM speed unless you're a PC gamer or do video edits, as it won't make much of a difference.
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QuestionHow do I know what RAM is compatible with my system?Community AnswerSearch your computer's model on the producer's website and look for an online parts and service manual. If there is no manual, pull one of the sticks of RAM out of your computer and look for a number or set of numbers and letters you can search on Google. These searches almost immediately bring you to the exact type of RAM you need. If you have certain types of RAM, there may be a QR code on the stick. (This is the case with most.) If you have a smart phone, download a QR scanner and scan that code. This will bring you to a Google search which can always find you compatible RAM.
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Tips
- Knowing the motherboard type and model number will narrow down the types of hardware (e.g., processors) that you look for when attempting to upgrade your computer.Thanks
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Warnings
- Using the wrong CPU and RAM with your motherboard can lead to the computer failing to boot.Thanks
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References
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,120,180 times.
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