If you've made it this far, You may want to find out what graphics card you have installed in your computer with Windows 11Whether you're considering upgrading components, looking for the right drivers, needing to optimize your gaming rig, or just out of pure technological curiosity, knowing the exact make and model of your GPU is essential to getting the most out of your PC. In this article, we'll go over, step by step and without hesitation, All the possible ways to find out what GPU you have in Windows 11, also including details on key concepts and recommended tools. Get ready to become a true expert in identifying and understanding your graphics card.
Let's review both Windows 11 native tools as well as third-party applications that will provide you with detailed information. We'll also clarify the most common terminology related to graphics cards and answer the most common questions about how they work. This way, you'll not only discover which GPU you have, but you'll also understand why it's so important to understand this component.
What exactly is a graphics card or GPU?
Before going into the processes, it is important to clarify what we mean when we talk about Graphic card o GPU, an acronym for Graphics Processing Unit. This component is responsible for rendering images, videos, and animations on your screen. There is some confusion because, although the terms are used interchangeably, the GPU It's just the processing chip, while the Graphic card It is the circuit that integrates it together with other elements such as VRAM memory, output ports or cooling system.
Nowadays there are mainly two types of graphics cards: integrated, present on the motherboard or processor, and the dedicated, which come as standalone hardware and are usually more powerful (very useful for gaming, 3D design, video editing, etc.). Among the most prominent manufacturers we find NVIDIA and AMD, although more and more brands like Intel, ASUS or MSI have their own range.
Top Methods to Find Out What GPU You Have in Windows 11
Windows 11 incorporates different ways for you to discover the exact model of graphics card from your computer. Some methods are extremely quick and easy, while others provide more technical and detailed information.
Option 1: Device Manager
One of the direct ways to check the GPU installed on your computer is to use the Device administrator. It's a valid method whether you have an internal or dedicated graphics card, and is also very useful for testing external GPUs or eGPUs.
- Open the Start menu search and type Device administrator. Click on the option that appears.
- Inside the window, display the section Display adapters.
- In the list, you'll see the name and model of your graphics card. Double-clicking the name will take you to the device's properties and details, including the installed driver and the ability to update it.
Tip: If you have an eGPU or a laptop with both dedicated and integrated graphics, both will be identified here: select the one you're interested in to see more information.
Option 2: System Information Tool
Windows 11 has an internal utility called System information which will show you not only the name of your GPU, but also other hardware specifications.
- Press Windows + S and search msinfo32 o System information.
- In the left panel, open the category Alternative and select Screen.
- On the right, you'll find the full name of the graphics card under "Adapter Description" and other relevant details such as chip type, manufacturer, and dedicated memory.
This method is compatible with older versions of Windows., in case you need to identify the GPU on other systems. You can learn more about how to check if you're using your dedicated graphics card in Windows 11..
Option 3: Task Manager
Another quick way to find out what chart you have, especially if you want to see the real-time performance, it is through Task Manager:
- Right click on it Home and select Task Manager.
- Access the tab Unlimited and locate the section GPU 0 (o GPU 1, GPU 2, etc., if you have multiple charts).
- In the upper right corner you will see the name and manufacturer of your graphics card, along with usage charts, temperature, driver version, and DirectX.
Ideal for monitoring resources while playing games or editing videos.
Option 4: DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag)
The command dxDiag Opens a window with very detailed information about your PC's graphics and sound devices. It's perfect if you're looking for information such as DirectX version, amount of VRAM, supported resolution, etc. You can also check aspects related to your GPU's compatibility with DirectX 12 Ultimate.
- Press Windows + R and writes dxDiag. Press Intro.
- In the window, navigate to the tab Screen.
- Review the “Name,” “Manufacturer,” “Chip Type,” and “Approximate Total Memory” sections to learn more about your GPU.
If multiple Display tabs appear, you'll have information for each installed graphic.
Option 5: Windows 11 Setup
If you prefer to explore from the system options, follow these steps:
- Open the app Configuration from the Start menu.
- Within System, Select Screen and then Advanced display.
- In the “Show information” section, you will see what the primary graphics adapter of the PC.
- You can click on Display adapter properties to see additional details, including name, memory, and controller.
A simple method for less advanced users or if you want to change display settings.
Third-party applications for even more accurate information
If you need to get advanced technical details of your GPU or monitor parameters that Windows doesn't display by default, there are highly recommended external utilities. We highlight some of the most popular and comprehensive ones, such as Tools to verify GPU compatibility and performance.
GPU-Z
GPU-Z It is a small, free, and portable utility compatible with all modern graphics card models (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, etc.). It provides very specific information about the GPU, its architecture, memory, speed, temperature sensors, and even allows you to save a backup copy of the BIOS of the graph.
- No installation required: you can use the portable version directly.
- Comprehensive information: from name, model and memory, to clock frequencies and supported technologies (DirectX, Vulkan, OpenGL, etc.).
- Allows you to validate results and check the PCI-Express connection.
- Completely free and compatible from Windows XP to Windows 11.
Open Hardware Monitor
If you are looking for something more general and open source, Open Hardware Monitor It's an excellent solution. It not only displays information about the graphics card, but also monitors the CPU, temperature, fan speed, and other computer sensors, useful for troubleshoot GPU-related issues.
- Compatible with a wide range of hardware (including legacy and modern chipsets).
- No installation required, just download and run.
- Displays all GPUs present in your computer and details such as load, temperature, and voltage.
- Works on Windows and systems Linux x86 based.
Both applications are ideal for those who want to go much further and know the details of the Internal specifications and the status of your GPU.
CPU-Z
Another veteran and trusted tool is CPU-Z. Although its main function is to analyze CPU and memory, it has a tab "Graphics» with all the data of the graphic card(s) present in the system, providing a complete view for See what GPU you have in Windows 11.
- Clear identification of the model, memory type and manufacturer.
- It requires installation, but it is very light and easy to use.
- Allows you to consult all the hardware components of the computer.
What to do if your GPU is not showing up or is not detecting it?
If after following the steps above the graphics card does not appear or a generic name such as “Microsoft Basic Display Adapter” is displayed, there could be several causes. You can check how to troubleshoot if your GPU is not detected..
- Your GPU driver may be outdated or corrupted. Try uninstalling it and reinstalling a newer version.
- Make sure the graphics card is properly connected physically and that there are no problems with the motherboard slot.
- In some cases, updating Windows may resolve automatic device detection.
- If the problem persists and it's a desktop computer, try inserting the GPU into another computer or contacting the manufacturer's technical support.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.