Check your GPU in Windows Settings

The fastest way to see your graphics card in Windows is through the Settings app. Open Settings, go to System, then select Display. Scroll down and click Advanced display settings. At the bottom of that page, you'll see Display information — your GPU model appears under "GPU 1" or similar.

This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The name shown is usually the full model — for example, "NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060" or "AMD Radeon RX 7600" — so you'll have everything you need right there.

If you don't see GPU information in Display settings, your computer may be using integrated graphics built into your processor instead of a separate graphics card. In that case, the method below will help you identify which integrated GPU you have.

Use Device Manager to see all graphics hardware

Device Manager shows every piece of hardware Windows recognizes, including graphics cards. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Look for the category called Display adapters and click the arrow next to it to expand the list.

Everything listed under Display adapters is graphics hardware on your system. If you have a dedicated graphics card, it will appear here alongside any integrated graphics. Right-click on the GPU name and select Properties to see the driver version, memory amount, and other technical details.

Device Manager is reliable because it reads directly from Windows hardware detection. If a GPU appears here, Windows recognizes it and has drivers installed.

Check GPU details through DirectX Diagnostic Tool

DirectX Diagnostic Tool gives you a full hardware report including GPU memory and driver information. Press the Windows key and type dxdiag, then press Enter. Click the Display tab.

You'll see your GPU name at the top under "Name". Below that you can find the amount of dedicated video memory (VRAM), the driver version, and the driver date. This tool is especially useful if you need to know your exact VRAM amount — for example, whether you have 4GB, 8GB, or 12GB of memory on your card.

The DirectX Diagnostic Tool works on all Windows versions and doesn't require any additional software to install.

Find your GPU on Mac

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select About This Mac. Click the Graphics tab (or System Report if you're on an older macOS version, then select Graphics/Displays from the left sidebar).

Your GPU model and VRAM amount appear under "Graphics". Most Macs use integrated graphics built into the processor — for example, "Apple M3 with 8-core GPU" — but some older Intel-based Macs had dedicated NVIDIA cards.

If you need more detail, you can also open System Information from the Utilities folder and navigate to the same Graphics section.

Identify your GPU on Linux

Linux users can open a terminal and run the command lspci | grep -i vga to list all graphics hardware. This shows the GPU model name and manufacturer.

For more detailed information including driver status, run glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer". This tells you which GPU is currently being used for graphics rendering and which driver is active.

If you need to know VRAM amount on Linux, the method depends on your GPU manufacturer. NVIDIA users can run nvidia-smi if the NVIDIA driver is installed. AMD users can check the kernel log with dmesg | grep -i amd.

Check your GPU manufacturer's control panel

If you have an NVIDIA card, right-click on your desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel (if it appears in the menu). The GPU name and memory appear in the left sidebar under "System Information".

AMD users can right-click the desktop and select AMD Radeon Settings. Go to System in the left menu, then System Information, where you'll see your GPU model and VRAM.

These control panels only appear if you have the manufacturer's drivers installed. If you don't see them, use Device Manager or DirectX Diagnostic Tool instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Settings under Display shows your GPU model in one click, making it the fastest method for most users.
  • Device Manager lists all graphics hardware Windows recognizes and lets you check driver versions and memory amounts.
  • DirectX Diagnostic Tool provides the most complete information including VRAM, driver version, and driver date in one place.
  • Mac users find GPU information in About This Mac under the Graphics tab, and Linux users can use terminal commands like lspci to identify their card.
  • If you have a dedicated graphics card, it will appear alongside integrated graphics in Device Manager, so you can tell which one you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between dedicated and integrated graphics?

A dedicated graphics card is a separate piece of hardware with its own memory and processor. Integrated graphics are built into your CPU and share your system RAM. Dedicated cards are faster but cost more. Most laptops and budget computers use integrated graphics, while gaming and workstation computers usually have dedicated cards.

Why do I see two GPUs in Device Manager?

Many computers have both integrated graphics (built into the CPU) and a dedicated graphics card. Windows lists both in Device Manager. Your system usually uses the dedicated card for demanding tasks like gaming and the integrated card for everyday work to save power. You can check which one is active in your GPU manufacturer's control panel.

How do I know how much video memory my GPU has?

DirectX Diagnostic Tool shows VRAM under the Display tab. Device Manager shows it in GPU properties. NVIDIA and AMD control panels also display memory amount. Common amounts are 2GB, 4GB, 6GB, 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB depending on your card's age and price.

What if Device Manager shows an unknown device instead of a GPU name?

An unknown device usually means Windows doesn't have the right driver installed. Visit your GPU manufacturer's website (NVIDIA.com or AMD.com) and download the latest driver for your operating system. After installation, restart your computer and Device Manager should show the correct GPU name.

Can I check my GPU through the BIOS?

Yes, but it's not the easiest method. Restart your computer and press Delete, F2, or F12 during startup to enter BIOS (the key varies by manufacturer). Look for a section called "Integrated Peripherals" or "Onboard Devices" where graphics hardware may be listed. For most users, checking through Windows Settings or Device Manager is faster and simpler.