How to Know What Motherboard You Have in Your PC

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Wondering how to identify your motherboard? Learn the best methods for checking your motherboard model. Let’s learn how to know what motherboard you have in your PC.

Understanding the specifications of your motherboard is essential when upgrading your PC, troubleshooting errors, or ensuring compatibility with new hardware. Your motherboard is the backbone of your computer, and knowing the exact model helps you make informed decisions about adding components such as a new CPU, RAM, or graphics card. But how do you find out what motherboard you have in your PC?

How to Know What Motherboard You Have in Your PC

How Do I Find Out What Motherboard I Have?

Finding your motherboard model is a key step in diagnosing issues, upgrading hardware, or checking compatibility for your new components. There are several ways to identify your motherboard, and the method you choose may depend on your comfort level with accessing system settings or using third-party software. Below, we’ll cover each of these methods in detail.

How to Check Motherboard in BIOS/UEFI

The most straightforward way to check the motherboard in your PC is through the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). These are low-level firmware systems that control your computer’s hardware before the operating system loads. BIOS/UEFI provides detailed system information, including the motherboard model.

Steps to Check Your Motherboard in BIOS/UEFI:

  1. Restart Your Computer:
    • Begin by restarting your computer. As your system reboots, you’ll need to press a key to enter BIOS/UEFI settings. Typically, this key will be displayed during the boot process and can be one of the following: F2, F10, F12, Delete, or Esc. If the key is not displayed on your screen, check your motherboard’s manual for the correct key.
  2. Access BIOS/UEFI Settings:
    • Press the designated key immediately after turning on the computer to enter BIOS or UEFI. You’ll be greeted with a screen that looks different from the Windows interface, showcasing your system’s firmware settings.
  3. Navigate to the Information Section:
    • In the BIOS/UEFI interface, look for a tab or section titled “System Information”, “Mainboard”, or “Information”. This is where details about your motherboard are typically displayed. The exact name of this section may vary slightly depending on the motherboard manufacturer.
  4. Find the Motherboard Model:
    • Within the System Information section, you should see details such as:
      • Motherboard Manufacturer: The brand of your motherboard (e.g., ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte).
      • Motherboard Model: The model number of your motherboard (e.g., ASUS Z390-A).
      • BIOS Version: The version of BIOS currently installed on your motherboard.
      • Chipset: The chipset used in your motherboard.
  5. Exit BIOS/UEFI:
    • Once you’ve noted down the motherboard details, you can exit BIOS/UEFI by following the on-screen instructions (usually pressing F10 to save and exit).

Why Use BIOS/UEFI?

BIOS/UEFI is an excellent method for finding motherboard details because it provides direct access to your system’s low-level hardware information. This is often the most reliable method, as it doesn’t rely on software running within the operating system, which can be affected by errors or limitations.

What to Do if the Motherboard Model Does Not Show in BIOS/UEFI?

In some cases, the motherboard model may not be displayed in BIOS/UEFI. This could happen if the BIOS settings aren’t updated or if there’s an issue with the motherboard. If this happens, there are several alternative methods to obtain the necessary information.

Solution: Use DxDiag Tool

  1. Press Windows Key + R: Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type dxdiag and Press Enter: In the Run box, type dxdiag and hit Enter to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
  3. Click No: When prompted to check for digitally signed drivers, click No to bypass the request.
  4. Review the Information: The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will now display various details about your system, including motherboard information under the System tab.

This method can help bypass issues in BIOS/UEFI and provide you with key motherboard information directly from Windows.

How to Find Motherboard Information in Windows

Windows provides several built-in tools that can help you identify your motherboard. These tools include System Information, Command Prompt, and PowerShell, all of which provide detailed information about your system hardware.

Using System Information

System Information is a powerful tool in Windows that displays a comprehensive list of hardware and software details.

  1. Open System Information:
    • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type msinfo32 and press Enter. This will open the System Information window.
  2. Locate the Motherboard Information:
    • In the left pane, select System Summary to see a summary of your system’s specifications. Look for the BaseBoard section, which typically includes the following:
      • BaseBoard Manufacturer: The manufacturer of your motherboard (e.g., ASUS, MSI).
      • BaseBoard Product: The model number of your motherboard (e.g., Z390-A).
      • BaseBoard Version: The version of your motherboard.
  3. Review the Information:
    • After locating the information, you can note down your motherboard’s model and other related details. This can be helpful for upgrading or troubleshooting.

Using Command Prompt

For more advanced users, Command Prompt can also provide motherboard details.

  1. Open Command Prompt:
    • Press Windows Key + R, type cmd, and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
  2. Use the WMIC Command:
    • In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:arduinoCopy codewmic baseboard get product, manufacturer, version
    • Hit Enter, and the output will display the manufacturer, product (model), and version of your motherboard.
  3. Review the Output:
    • This output provides a quick and efficient way to check motherboard details without navigating through complex menus.

How to Identify Motherboard Using Third-Party Software

If you prefer a more detailed, user-friendly method to check your motherboard, third-party software like CPU-Z and Speccy can provide a comprehensive overview of your system, including your motherboard’s specifications.

Using CPU-Z

CPU-Z is a widely used free software that can give you a detailed breakdown of your system’s hardware.

  1. Download and Install CPU-Z:
    • Visit the CPU-Z website and download the software. After installation, launch the program.
  2. Navigate to the Mainboard Tab:
    • In CPU-Z, go to the Mainboard tab. This section provides detailed information, including:
      • Manufacturer: The brand of your motherboard.
      • Model: The specific model of your motherboard.
      • Chipset: The chipset used in your motherboard.
      • Version: The version number of the motherboard.
  3. Review the Information:
    • You can now see the full details of your motherboard, including additional specifications such as the chipset version and BIOS version.

Using Speccy

Speccy is another popular tool for checking hardware specifications. It’s known for its simple interface and comprehensive reports.

  1. Download and Install Speccy:
  2. Open Speccy:
    • Once installed, open Speccy, and it will scan your system automatically.
  3. Check the Motherboard Section:
    • On the left panel of the Speccy interface, click on the Motherboard section. This will show you:
      • Manufacturer: The name of the motherboard manufacturer.
      • Model: The model number of the motherboard.
      • Chipset: The chipset used by the motherboard.

Speccy also provides additional information, such as temperature readings and system performance, which can be useful for monitoring your system’s health.

What to Do If BIOS Is Corrupted or You Can’t Boot Your Computer?

If you encounter issues with BIOS, such as BIOS corruption or a computer that won’t boot, it can be challenging to identify your motherboard. However, there are workarounds.

Solution: Use the System Information Window

  1. Open System Information:
    • Press Windows Key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. This opens the System Information window.
  2. Check the BIOS Version:
    • In the System Information window, look for the “BIOS Version/Date” field. This section will provide information about your motherboard’s BIOS, which indirectly helps identify the motherboard model.

What Is the Best Software to Identify My Motherboard?

For users who want a simple, reliable method to identify their motherboard, CPU-Z and Speccy are among the best third-party software options. Both tools provide detailed hardware specifications, including motherboard information, without requiring advanced knowledge of system settings. They are highly recommended for users who prefer a more intuitive approach.

How to Find Motherboard Model for Compatibility Checks?

If you’re upgrading your PC or replacing hardware, it’s essential to verify that your new components are compatible with your motherboard. To do so:

  1. Identify your motherboard model using one of the methods above (BIOS, Windows tools, or third-party software).
  2. Visit the manufacturer’s website or use compatibility tools (e.g., PCPartPicker) to ensure that your new parts are compatible with your motherboard.

Conclusion

Knowing your motherboard model is an essential step when upgrading, troubleshooting, or building a PC. By using methods like BIOS/UEFI access, Windows tools such as System Information and Command Prompt, or third-party software like CPU-Z and Speccy, you can easily identify your motherboard and make more informed decisions regarding upgrades and repairs.

While BIOS is typically the most reliable method, there are plenty of alternatives available when issues arise. Remember, taking a little time to understand your system’s core components will go a long way toward ensuring you get the most out of your hardware.

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