If you’re poking around your Windows 10 PC and wondering exactly which graphics processing unit (GPU) it has, you’re not alone. Sometimes, the built-in device info can be kinda vague, or drivers are misreporting. Usually, it’s pretty straightforward to check—just a couple of clicks—but there are a few tricks to make sure you’re getting the right info, especially if you’re troubleshooting or planning an upgrade. Knowing your GPU details helps with gaming, graphic design, or just figuring out if your system can run certain software. Keep in mind, on some setups, especially laptops with hybrid graphics, things can get a bit confusing because multiple GPUs might show up. Anyway, here’s how to get that info fast and not lose your mind.
How to Check What GPU You Have on Windows 10
Open the Start Menu and Access Device Manager
This might seem obvious, but clicking that Start button (bottom-left corner) and typing Device Manager into the search box is step one. If you’re having trouble, you can also right-click the Start button and select Device Manager from the context menu. Opens a window with all hardware components of your PC, and surprisingly, it’s where the magic happens when checking your GPU.
Find the Display Adapters Section
Once in Device Manager, look for the category titled Display adapters. Expand that by clicking the little arrow or double-clicking. Here’s where your GPU’s real name should be hiding. Sometimes it’s just the model number (like NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060) or simple Roman-numerals for Intel integrated graphics.
Identify and Confirm Your GPU
In the list, you’ll see the name of your graphics card. If it’s Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA, you’ll get a clear picture of what’s inside. Not sure if it’s right? You can double click the name, go to the Details tab, choose Hardware Ids from the dropdown, and see more technical info. Also, right-click and choose Update Driver — sometimes your system is just misreporting due to outdated drivers. Another trick is to run the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (press Windows + R, then type dxdiag and hit Enter).Under the Display tab, you get to see the GPU info plus some driver details. Works pretty well.
Tip: On laptops, if you’ve got both integrated and dedicated GPUs, both might be listed under Display adapters. Keep that in mind—some tools might show one, but not both, or only the primary one being used at the moment.
Tips for Accurate GPU Detection on Windows 10
- Keep your Windows 10 updated. Sometimes, outdated OS can mess with hardware detection.
- Check your graphics driver version—if it’s old, update it from the manufacturer’s site (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
- In some cases, third-party software like GPU-Z gives more detailed info. Not necessary for casual checks but handy if you want all the specs.
- If your machine is a laptop with hybrid graphics, make sure the GPU isn’t being hidden by Windows’ power management. Check the settings in Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional power settings. Some laptops default to using integrated graphics unless you tweak it.
FAQs That Might Come Up
What if Device Manager doesn’t show anything?
If the GPU names are blank or there’s a generic “VGA compatible” entry, try updating your graphics drivers. Right-click the device in Device Manager, hit Update driver, and choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Also, a quick reboot after driver updates sometimes fixes misreports.
Is there a way to see GPU info without opening Device Manager?
Yup. Using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (Windows + R, type dxdiag), you get a decent report. Or, right-click on the desktop and select Display Settings. Then click on Advanced display settings and see the linked info. But for detailed data, dxdiag or third-party tools are better.
Can I upgrade my GPU?
Desktops usually can, especially if you’ve got a spare PCIe slot. Laptops? Not so much—most are glued in or restricted by size and cooling. So, if you’re eyeing an upgrade, double-check what your system can handle. And yes, updating drivers isn’t gonna replace a new GPU but keeps things running smoothly.
Summary
- Open the Start Menu and type
Device Manager. - Expand Display adapters.
- Identify what’s listed—the exact GPU model.
- For more detail, run
dxdiagor update drivers.
Wrap-up
Figuring out what GPU is inside is usually dead simple, but occasionally weird stuff happens—like ghost devices or incorrect info. The key is keeping drivers up-to-date and crossing your fingers. Knowing your GPU means you can troubleshoot better, upgrade properly, or just satisfy curiosity. After all, it’s not rocket science, but Windows has a way of hiding things just to keep you guessing. Hope this gets one more thing checked off the list without pulling your hair out.