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Why Does it Matter to Know Your Motherboard?
Your motherboard is the key component that holds everything else in place, whether it be your CPU, GPU, RAM, or anything else. It enables them to communicate and operate harmoniously, ensuring that there are no compatibility issues between them. It also determines what hardware your PC can support.
Knowing your exact motherboard model gives you a clear idea about the upgrade path available for your PC without the risk of buying components that won’t work properly or aren’t compatible.
Moreover, troubleshooting your PC will be a piece of cake if you know your motherboard’s model. You can research your motherboard’s manual to check for error codes your PC will emit during the power-on self-test phase (POST) performed by the firmware.
Besides that, getting drivers for your PC wouldn’t be a problem for you anymore; you will quickly jump to the motherboard manufacturer’s website and start downloading and installing them one by one to ensure a stable system equipped with the latest drivers.
If you need to check what motherboard you have for whatever reason, but you are skeptical about how to do so. This guide is for you. You will learn how to check your motherboard’s model using a bunch of easy and fast methods we’ve listed below.
How to Check What Motherboard You Have?
Finding out your motherboard’s model and its manufacturer is easier than you might think. However, it’s a different process than finding out what other components you have, like your GPU, CPU, and RAM. etc
The good news is: You don’t need to be a tech expert or a hardware enthusiast to know the model and the manufacturer of a certain motherboard you have lying around in your house, or inside the PC you use every day.
We’ll list several reliable methods below, explaining each step by step so that anyone can follow, even if you’re a complete beginner. Some use Windows’ built-in tools, while others require small utilities that are easy to download and install on your PC.
Method 1: Using Windows System Information (msinfo32)
Windows includes a built-in tool called “System Information,” also known as “msinfo32,” the executable that can be found inside the Windows folder in your C drive, more specifically, inside both the “SysWOW64” and “System32” folders if you have a 64-bit copy of the Windows operating system and inside the “System32” only if you have a 32-bit copy of Windows.
The system summary inside this built-in tool provides a detailed overview of your PC’s hardware and software environment, including your OS name and its version, the motherboard’s manufacturer, and its exact model.
It’s a quick and easy method to know which motherboard you have. Fortunately, it doesn’t require any software to download, and it works on nearly all versions of Windows.
Why This Method is Useful:
- It’s the easiest method so far!
- You can know the exact motherboard you have without the need for additional software.
- You can see other information and specs as well, including your system’s installed RAM, CPU, BIOS version, and Windows build number (version).
Step-by-Step Instructions:
First, press “Windows + R” on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box, which is often used to open the system’s built-in utilities within the Windows folder.
A small window labeled Run will appear. Type msinfo32 in the text box and press Enter or click OK to launch the “System Information” tool.
Once the “System Information” tool window pops up, you can find your motherboard details by scrolling down and locating:
System Manufacturer / BaseBoard Manufacturer: → The company that made your motherboard (e.g., ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock, Biostar).
System Model / BaseBoard Product: → The exact model name (e.g., B550M PRO-VDH, Z690-A PRO, B650 EAGLE AX).
BaseBoard Version: → The version or revision number of the board, which can be important for BIOS updates or troubleshooting. A certain motherboard model can have multiple revisions. Each revision may differ in the BIOS version it uses and in the internal components installed.
As you can see in the image at the top, I have an AM5 motherboard, a “B650 EAGLE AX” model to be exact, which Gigabyte Technology recently released.
This method can be used in both Windows 11 and Windows 10, but its success depends on how old your system is. If you bought your PC quite a long time ago, the chances are you have an old motherboard, and this method may work. Fortunately, you will know the motherboard’s manufacturer at least.
If you didn’t have luck trying the first method, don’t worry, there are still other ways to identify your motherboard. Stick with us to the next method, which might be better suited for your system and could give you the information you need.
Method 2: Using the Command Prompt (CMD) / PowerShell
Option 1: Using the Command Prompt (CMD)
The command prompt, briefly known as “CMD,” is another quick way to check what motherboard you have. The command that we will provide will print your motherboard’s manufacturer and product name (the motherboard’s model). If you feel comfortable messing around with CMD, then this method is for you.
Why This Method is Useful:
- It’s the quickest method so far!
- You can know the exact motherboard you have on almost any Windows version. This method is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.
- You can see the exact model and the manufacturer of your motherboard in seconds without having to open your PC case and search for labels manually.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
First, press “Windows + R” on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box, then type “cmd” and press Enter or click OK. You can simply search for “cmd” in the Windows search bar, type in “cmd,” and click Open.
Once the window of CMD pops up, type the following command: wmic baseboard get product,Manufacturer
You have to type the exact command listed above for this method to work; any mistake will result in an error.
This command will provide the same information you saw on the “Windows System Information (msinfo32)” built-in tool. It will look for the baseboard information (BaseBoard Product & BaseBoard Manufacturer) and print them out quickly for you instead of looking for them yourself.
As for my case, you can see my motherboard’s information printed out in the command prompt (CMD) in the image above.
Option 2: Using the PowerShell Terminal
PowerShell is a powerful command-line tool built into Windows. It’s considered more flexible and has more features than the traditional command prompt, “CMD”.
You can use it to quickly get detailed information about your motherboard, just like the command prompt. I’ve covered it in this guide because some users prefer PowerShell, and they are comfortable using it. I plan to make this guide more inclusive.
Why This Method is Useful:
- Same as using CMD, it’s a quick method and doesn’t require any additional software.
- You can use both CMD/PowerShell to know the exact motherboard you have on almost any Windows version. This option is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.
- Just like the option of CMD, you can see the exact model and the manufacturer of your motherboard in seconds without having to open your PC case and search for labels manually.
- The only useful advantage of using the PowerShell terminal rather than using CMD in this guide is that PowerShell prints out the information in a readable, modern, and organized format.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
First, press “Windows + R” on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box, then type “powershell” and press Enter or click OK. You can simply search for “powershell” in the Windows search bar and click Open.
Once the PowerShell terminal pops up, type the following command: Get-WmiObject Win32_BaseBoard | Format-List Product,Manufacturer
Same as the first option, you have to type the exact command listed above for this method to work; any mistake may result in a syntax error.
This command will provide the same information you saw on the “Windows System Information (msinfo32)” built-in tool. It will look for the baseboard information (BaseBoard Product & BaseBoard Manufacturer) and print them out quickly for you instead of looking for them yourself.
As for my case, you can see my motherboard’s information printed out in my PowerShell window.
As you can see, PowerShell’s “Get-WmiObject” cmdlet prints out structured data that’s appealing visually compared to the plain text output of “WMIC” in CMD.
If this method and its options didn’t work for you for whatever reason, don’t worry. You can still get the information you need by either physically checking your motherboard’s label inside your PC or using reliable third-party utilities designed for hardware detection. Both options can give you accurate results, even when Windows’ built-in tools fall short.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Software (CPU-Z)
If you want to check for your motherboard without using Windows’ built-in tools, digging through menus, and typing commands, third-party tools are the way to go, especially for beginners.
They can fetch and display your motherboard details, including its manufacturer and the exact model name. In this guide, we will work with CPU-Z, which is one of the most popular choices.
It’s considered a free, lightweight program that gives you detailed information about your PC’s hardware, including your mainboard (motherboard).
Why This Method is Useful:
- It’s free to use software (freeware), meaning that you won’t pay a penny, making it accessible to everyone, even for beginners.
- It has a user-friendly interface, which makes it ideal for beginners who prefer not to use command-line tools (CMD/PowerShell).
- It provides a lot of hardware insights, it displays your motherboard’s model, chipset, BIOS version, and other rig details.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
First, download and install CPU-Z. It’s a tiny program that you can download online and that can show detailed info about your PC.
Once you install it and open it, go to the tab that says “Mainboard”. That’s where all your motherboard info is shown, like the brand (manufacturer), model, chipset, and even the BIOS version.
As you can see, my motherboard is the B650 Eagle AX from Gigabyte!
This is a risk-free method if you are afraid of damaging your hardware. You don’t need to open your case or do anything risky to your PC. However, if this method didn’t work for you either, we can move on to fetch your motherboard’s name from its BIOS details.
Method 4: Using Your Motherboard’s BIOS Interface
If you didn’t have luck finding out your motherboard’s model and manufacturer by using commands, Windows’ System Information (msinfo32), or third-party software, chances are you will be able to with this method as long as your PC can turn on.
Why This Method is Useful:
- It can still be accessible even if your OS can’t boot.
- It displays your motherboard model and manufacturer without relying on an OS or tools.
- It’s considered a reliable fallback when software-based methods fail.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
First, close any programs you have opened and restart your PC. As the PC restarts, watch for the manufacturer logo and tap the firmware key repeatedly displayed on the bottom-left or bottom-right corner of your screen (don’t hold it down). Common keys are: Delete, F2, F10, F12, Esc, or F1.
Once you are inside the BIOS, check for any tab that is named: Main, System Information, Overview, or EZ Mode.
Look for entries labeled Motherboard, Model Name, Mainboard, Base Board, System Board Product, or Board Model.
As for my case, I found my motherboard’s information on the “System Information” tab in the advanced mode.
If you need your motherboard’s information to troubleshoot your PC, and your PC can’t turn on, this method is not for you; better stick with us till the end. I will show you a method that might surprise you!
Method 5: Opening Your PC & Checking For Your Motherboard Manually
Sometimes, the most straightforward way to identify your motherboard is by looking at it directly. This method is considered the riskiest way to check what motherboard you have.
However, it’s still the only way to know your motherboard’s details in case your PC won’t turn on. In this method, you will physically open your PC case and read the model printed on the board itself.
Don’t worry, you won’t damage anything. I will guide you through the process. Your PC is safe as long as you don’t touch anything or do anything I didn’t say. Proceed at your own risk!
Why This Method is Useful:
- It works regardless of software or system issues (PC won’t boot, can’t fetch your motherboard details properly, etc).
- It’s an accurate way to identify your motherboard; software may make mistakes. Seeing the actual physical board and its printed details with your own eyes is more accurate.
- It builds confidence for hardware troubleshooting and upgrading. Seeing the physical board builds curiosity. Doing things to your PC with your own hands is the best way to master the PC building game.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
First, shut down your PC completely and unplug it from the wall socket. You can use an anti-static wrist strap to prevent static damage to components. If you don’t have one, grounding yourself by touching a metal part of the case is a good idea.
Second, lay your desktop PC flat on the table. Remove the screws or release the clips securing the side panel of your case, which usually comes from the left side. All you have to do now is slide or lift the panel off to expose the interior components of your PC.
This might be your first time seeing your PC naked; all the components in front of your eyes always work together to display what you see on your monitor. As I said in the intro, the motherboard is the large circuit board that all other components (CPU, RAM, GPU, etc) attach to.
Third, look for printed text on the motherboard itself. Usually, you can find the motherboard details (manufacturer and model) between the PCIe slots, near the RAM slots, around the CPU socket, or near the edges of the board.
The motherboard’s model usually looks like a combination of letters and numbers; the motherboard’s manufacturer is printed separately, but really close to the model name. The motherboard’s model usually contains the chipset used on it.
Let’s take, for example, the MSI B450 Tomahawk, and ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F, and finally, my motherboard, the Gigabyte B650 EAGLE AX.
MSI B450 Tomahawk:
- MSI is the manufacturer.
- B450 is the chipset.
- Tomahawk is the series name.
ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F:
- ASUS is the manufacturer.
- ROG Stands for Republic of Gamers, ASUS’s premium gaming brand.
- STRIX is a sub-brand within ROG.
- B550 is the chipset.
- F is the model variant or revision.
Gigabyte B650 EAGLE AX:
- Gigabyte is the manufacturer.
- B650 is the chipset.
- EAGLE is the model series name within Gigabyte’s lineup.
- AX is the model variant, indicating the motherboard includes Wi-Fi 6E (AX).
Look for something similar on your motherboard. For my case, it looks like this:
The chipset starts with a letter and is followed by three numbers. The manufacturer usually comes in one word, MSI, GYGABYTE, ASUS, to name a few!
All you have to do now is carefully put the side panel back on and secure it with screws. In order to use your PC again, you must plug your PC back in and power it up.
If you want to check what motherboard you have in case your PC has a problem and can’t turn on, this method is your only way and your last resort.
Conclusion
Checking what motherboard you have is not an impossible task. It’s easier than many people think. You now have five reliable methods to confidently identify your PC’s motherboard, even if you are a complete beginner.
Knowing your motherboard model is crucial for troubleshooting purposes, upgrading your setup, or simply satisfying your curiosity about your rig.
If you want to know more about motherboards and their types, make sure to read our comprehensive guide on motherboard form factors and how to choose the right one.
