How to identify your CPU in three simple ways

by Edward Harper October 5, 2024

A great CPU is at the heart of every PC, working in tandem with other components to power everything you do. Knowing what kind of CPU you have is crucial, as this lets you determine which apps and games you can run, and helps you understand the limits of your computer. Thankfully, you don't need any third-party tools to identify the exact processor you're using. Here's how to find your CPU information using tools built into Windows.

An image showing the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU next to its cooler.© Provided by XDA Developers

How to make your CPU perform better

Is your CPU not performing at its best? Here are some fixes you should try out.

Use Task Manager to check your CPU

A detailed view of your CPU and its stats

You can use Task Manager on Windows 10 and Windows 11 to get detailed information about your CPU.

Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager, or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch it.
Select the Performance tab in the left sidebar, and click CPU.

A screenshot showing the highlighted Task Manager option shown on the Windows homescreen.© Provided by XDA Developers

Here, you'll see the performance graph, which shows you how your CPU is being used. The data shown here is updated in real-time, so this is a good way to track your usage patterns. For now, however, we're more interested in your CPU's manufacturer and model number, which you can see in the top-right corner of the Performance window.

AMD Ryzen 5 8600G pins© Provided by XDA Developers

Does your CPU matter for 4K gaming? The answer might surprise you.

CPUs apparently don't matter as much at 4K resolution. But there are many cases where a high-end CPU will deliver better gaming performance.

Identify your CPU in Control Panel

Good old system properties

Windows 10 and Windows 11 users can also find CPU information by heading over to the system settings in the Control Panel.

Open Control Panel on your PC.
Select System & Security.
On the System tab, click View amount of RAM and processor speed.

A screenshot showing the highlighted Control Panel app on Windows Start menu.© Provided by XDA Developers

This opens the About page in a new window, detailing the device specifications. This is also where you'll see things like the name of your motherboard, the amount of installed memory, your Windows version, and details about your CPU.

How to find out how many CPU cores you have

Does your processor have enough cores for all your computing needs?

Use the System Information app to check your CPU

Lastly, you can use the System Information app in Windows to find out which CPU is installed in your PC. This particular app is essentially a central hub that contains all system information. You can use it to find out all kinds of details about your computer, including the make and model of its processor and other installed components.

Open the Start menu and type msinfo.
Click the System Information app to open it.
Click the System Summary option on the left sidebar to reveal all the details of your PC, including the processor, on the right side.

Closing thoughts

These are the simplest ways to identify the CPU that's installed in your PC using tools that you already have at your fingertips. You can also use a range of third-party applications, like HWiNFO or CPU-Z, to identify your processor, but these aren't really necessary if that's all you hope to achieve. Alternatively, if you cannot boot up your PC, you can view your CPU model and other system information by entering your computer's BIOS.