How to find out what graphics card you have and get the most out of your PC

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If you've ever considered changing your GPU, installing new drivers, or checking if your computer can handle a certain game, the first thing to understand is... What graphics card do you have installed in your computer?It seems like a basic thing, but many people don't even look at it when buying a PC or laptop, and then come the doubts about performance, compatibility or strange errors on screen.

In this guide you will learn All the practical ways to find out what graphics card you have in your PC or laptopWhether you use Windows, macOS, or Linux, and without needing to open the tower or touch a single screw. Plus, you'll see How to check the drivers you are using, and how to update them correctly And what should you consider if you're thinking of upgrading your GPU to a more powerful one?

What exactly is a graphics card and what is it used for?

Before we get into the steps, it's helpful to be clear about what we're going to identify. graphics card, GPU or video card It is the component responsible for processing and generating the images you see on the monitor: desktop, videos, games, editing programs, everything goes through it.

In broad terms, the GPU receives data from the processor (CPU) and transforms them into graphics, whether they're simple menus from an office program or 3D scenes at 144 FPS. That's why, if you like the video gamesYou work with video editing, graphic design, or 3D modelingThe choice of graphics card is crucial.

For basic tasks like browsing the internet, watching TV series, or using word processors, a simple or integrated GPU is usually sufficient, but when you start demanding more, The performance of the graphics card makes all the difference both in fluidity and visual quality.

Differences between integrated and dedicated graphics cards

In most current devices you can find one of these two types (or even both at the same time): integrated graphics card y dedicated graphics cardIt's important to distinguish between them because, when you look at your system information, you may see more than one display adapter listed.

An Integrated GPU It is included within the processor itself or the motherboard and shares memory with the system RAMIt's cheaper, consumes less energy, and is usually sufficient for office work, browsing, video, and very light games, but it falls short for heavy tasks or modern games with good graphics.

Furthermore, the dedicated graphics card It is a standalone component that is installed in a slot (usually PCI Express) on the motherboard. These cards feature its own memory (VRAM) and its own graphics processorThis allows them to offer far superior performance, ideal for gaming, editing high-resolution video, or working with 3D.

When checking which GPU you have, it's important to identify Which one are you using for your demanding games or programs?In many portable And for PCs you will see two listed: the integrated one (for example, Intel UHD or Intel Iris) and the dedicated one (NVIDIA GeForce, AMD Radeon, etc.).

How to find out what graphics card I have in Windows

Windows offers several ways to check which GPU you have installed without any hassle. Let's take a look. the most used and reliable methodswhich you can apply to Windows 10, Windows 11, and earlier versions like Windows 7.

Method 1: DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag)

One of the fastest shortcuts in Windows is to use the DirectX diagnostic tool, known as dxdiagIt shows you at a glance which graphics chip is active and some basic information.

Follow these steps on your Windows PC to check it with dxdiag and see name, manufacturer and memory of your graphics card:

1. Press the Windows + R keys at the same time to open the “Run” window.
2. In the text box that appears, type dxDiag and click “Accept” or press Enter.
3. will open the directx diagnostic toolLet the information load (it takes a few seconds).
4. At the top, select the tab "Screen" (in some cases it may appear as “Display”).
5. Within that tab you will see the graphics card name, manufacturer, chip type, and video memory, along with other data.

If your computer has both integrated and dedicated graphics, dxdiag might show the integrated graphics (for example, Intel Graphics 5500) as the primary device. Even so, This helps you identify which GPU is installed. although it doesn't always reflect which one is used in each game.

Method 2: System Information (msinfo32)

Another very thorough way to check the hardware is by pulling the Windows System Information application, where all the components of your PC are detailed, including integrated and dedicated graphics cards.

To open this tool without getting lost in menus, you can use either the search bar or the Run dialog box. Here's how to do it with the msinfo32 command. View all installed display adapters in detail:

1. Click the button Windows Start and writes msinfo32 in the search bar; you can also press Windows + R, type msinfo32 and click “OK”.
2. The application will appear in the results. “System Information”. Click to open it.
3. In the window that opens, you'll see a column with categories on the left. Expand it. “Components” by double clicking.
4. Within Components, select the option "Screen" with a click.
5. On the right side will appear All the information about the graphics cards present in your computer: name, manufacturer, chip type, DAC type, memory, controllers used, etc.

In this section, the first thing usually shown is... GPU integrated into the processor and, just below, the dedicated graphics card If your PC has one. It's one of the most comprehensive views to review. technical details of each video adapter without installing external programs.

Method 3: Device Manager

El Device administrator It's another very practical Windows tool that shows you what hardware is installed, its drivers, and if there are any compatibility or driver problems.

To use it and check your GPU, just follow these steps, which are very useful if you want Quickly see what graphics card model you have:

1. Open the Start menu and type "Device administrator" in the search engine.
2. Click on the “Device Manager” application to open it.
3. In the list of categories, locate and expand "Display adapters".
4. Below you will see one or more names: they are listed there all installed graphics cards in the system.

You'll see, for example, something like NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 next to a Intel UHD Graphics If your computer has both integrated and dedicated GPUs, double-clicking on either will open a window with several tabs, including "Driver," where you can see the version and date of the installed driver.

Method 4: Third-party applications such as CPU-Z

If you want a An even clearer and more user-friendly view of your hardwareYou can use external applications. One of the best known is CPU-Zwhich, in addition to processor data, shows you information about RAM, motherboard and also graphics cards.

The process is simple and allows you Review the details of your GPUs from a highly visual interface:

1. Enter the CPU-Z official page and download the Windows version from any of the available links.
2. Once the file is downloaded, run the installer and Follow the usual installation steps.
3. Open CPU-Z. You'll see that it takes a few seconds to gather information about your system.
4. At the top, click on the tab “Graphics”.
5. In section “Display Device Selection” You can select the different graphics cards if you have more than one and see their features in detail.

This section shows Graphics chip name, manufacturer, memory type, amount of VRAM and frequenciesAmong other data. It's a convenient way to have, in a single tool, almost everything you need to know about your hardware.

How to find out what graphics card I have on macOS

If you work with a Mac, it's also very easy to identify which GPU is inside your computer, whether it's a MacBook, an iMac, or a Mac mini. The operating system itself includes tools to see this. What graphics card do you have and what monitor are you using?.

To check this from macOS without installing anything additional, you can use the system information that Apple integrates into the main menu. These steps will help you see Name and manufacturer of the graphics card in a matter of seconds:

1. Click on the apple icon (the apple) located in the upper left corner of the screen.
2. Select option “About this Mac”.
3. In the window that opens, you'll see a summary of the team. Click on “System Report”.
4. In the new window, in the left column, look for "Hardware" and within that section select “Graphics/Displays”.
5. On the right side will appear the data of the graphics card(s) installed: model, manufacturer, bus type, VRAM and connected screens.

With this information you will be able to know Whether your Mac uses an integrated graphics card (for example, from Intel or Apple) or a dedicated AMD graphics cardThis is useful for deciding whether the equipment is suitable for demanding video editing, gaming, or 3D tasks.

How to find out what graphics card I have in Linux

In Linux systems it is also possible to identify the GPU without too much trouble, although here the usual approach is to use terminal and specific commandsIn return, you get very detailed information about the installed graphics hardware.

The most basic tool to identify which graphics card your Linux PC has is the command lspciThis lists the devices connected to the PCI bus. By combining it with a filter, you can see only video adapters installed on your system.

To find out the basic model of your GPU in Linux, you can follow this simple procedure, ideal if you want a quick look at the manufacturer and model:

1. open one terminal in your Linux distribution.
2. Write the command lspci | grep vga and press Enter.
3. You will see one or more lines with the graphics card information, showing manufacturer and model (for example, NVIDIA, AMD or Intel with the corresponding chip).

If you want even more details, such as memory type, capacities, and other video adapter specifications, you can use the tool etc, which offers a much more extensive description of the hardware.

These steps will allow you to see Advanced GPU information in Linux directly from the terminal:

1. Open a terminal with permissions to use sudo.
2. Write the command sudo lshw -c video and press Enter.
3. Enter your password when prompted.
4. The system will display a complete list with graphics card details, such as description, product, supplier, configuration, and resources.

This way, even on Linux you can know with considerable accuracy What GPU do you have, what driver are you using, and has the system detected it correctly?This is essential if you want to install proprietary drivers or adjust performance.

How to check your graphics card drivers in Windows

Just as important as knowing your GPU model is checking if the drivers you are using are the correct ones and are up to dateAn outdated or generic driver can cause anything from performance loss to graphical glitches, flickering, or crashes.

The most direct way in Windows to check both the GPU model and the installed driver is, again, through the Device administratorFrom there you can see driver version, date, and vendor without installing anything extra.

Follow these quick steps to check your graphics card drivers from within the system and confirm if it is the official driver from the manufacturer:

1. Open the Device administrator from the Start menu by searching for it by name.
2. Display the category "Display adapters".
3. Right-click on the GPU you want to check and select "Properties".
4. In the window that opens, go to the tab "Controller".
5. here you can see the driver version, the date it was created, and the provider thereof.

If you see on the supplier's website Microsoft Instead of NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel, you're most likely using a generic Windows driver It only offers enough to give you an image, but without taking full advantage of the GPU or its advanced features.

From this tab you will also see buttons to try to update the driver, but in practice They often fall short and don't install the complete package with all the featuresTo do it right, it's recommended to use the official tools of each manufacturer or download the drivers directly from their websites.

How to install and update GPU drivers

Once you know what graphics card you have, the next logical step is install or update the appropriate drivers to get the most out of your hardware, avoid errors, and improve performance in games or demanding applications.

The three major GPU manufacturers (AMD, NVIDIA, and Intel) offer specific applications that are responsible for downloading and installing the latest versions of the drivers for you, without you having to search for files manually.

Step 1: Install the manufacturer's software

The easiest way is to use the official software from your GPU manufacturer. These applications include automatic update options, game profiles, and various utilities related to the graphics card.

Depending on the brand you have, the usual procedure is as follows, always downloading the programs from the official manufacturer's website to avoid problems:

• NVIDIATheir flagship software is GeForce Experiencewhich allows you to download and install certified drivers, optimize games, and manage extra features.
• AMD: use the AMD Software (Adrenalin Edition), which integrates drivers, performance tools, screen recording, and per-game settings.
• IntelIt offers utilities such as Intel Arc Control o Intel Graphics Command Center and automatic driver update tools.

Download and install the application corresponding to your GPU brand, following the steps in the installation wizard. In some cases, the system may ask you to... Restart your computer to complete the installation successfully..

Step 2: Run the driver updates

With the official program already installed, the update process is usually quite simple: the application itself takes care of checking if There are new versions of the drivers for your graphics card model.

Normally, when you open the GPU software, a auto scan And if it detects newer drivers, it will offer to download and install them with one or two clicks. It's the simplest way to have always keep your graphics card up to date without complicating things.

If you prefer to go it alone and don't want additional programs, in the case of NVIDIA and AMD it is possible to download the software from their website. driver package “driver only”During the manual installation process, you can choose a "Driver only" option to prevent the installation of extra utilities such as GeForce Experience.

In the case of AMD, this option appears as “Controller only” within “Additional options” in the installer. For NVIDIA, you must use the manual installer downloaded from their website and specify that you only want the graphics driver, without any additional tools.

With Intel, often all that's needed is use their automatic update tool, without needing to install more complex control centers if you're not interested in tinkering with advanced settings.

How controllers work and why they are so important

Drivers are, basically, the software that allows the operating system to communicate with the hardwareWithout them, the system wouldn't know how to "talk" to the graphics card, and the card wouldn't be able to display anything on the screen properly.

In the case of the GPU, the drivers are responsible for managing how the graphics are rendered, how the card's internal optimizations are applied, and what advanced features are available (such as synchronization technologies, scaling, RTX, FSR, etc.).

Although it may work with generic drivers, the graphics card It won't perform nearly as well without its manufacturer-specific drivers.This will be noticeable in lower FPS, more visual problems, lack of graphics options, and possible errors when running some games or programs.

Windows includes by default generic display drivers which allow you to use your PC and connect monitors even without installing anything. This is fine as a temporary fix, but normally you'll see dull colors, lack of fluidity, and very limited graphics optionsespecially in demanding video games and applications.

That's why it's so important, once you've identified the exact model of your GPU, Install the official drivers and keep them reasonably up to date.especially if you want to play games or work with heavy multimedia content.

What to consider before choosing or changing your graphics card

If you're checking your graphics card because you're thinking about upgrading, it's worth considering a few key factors to avoid making the wrong purchase. It's not all about raw power: compatibility, consumption and budget They also weigh a lot.

The first thing is to be very clear What are you going to use the GPU for?A team focused on competitive gaming is not the same as one for... professional video editing, graphic design, 3D modeling, or an office PCEach use requires a different level of performance, and therefore it doesn't make sense to pay more if you're not going to take advantage of it.

Review the details graphics card technical specifications that you're looking at: clock speed, number of cores or compute units, amount and type of VRAM, and computing capabilities. All these parameters influence How will the GPU behave with high resolutions and heavy workloads?.

It is also vital to check the compatibility with your current deviceMake sure your motherboard has the correct slot (typically PCI ExpressCheck the wattage of your power supply and any additional power connectors the card may require. It's also a good idea to look at... if the box has enough physical space for the size of the GPU.

If you play, keep in mind the your monitor's resolution and refresh rate (Hz). Playing at 1080p and 60 Hz is not the same as playing at 1440p or 4K at 144 Hz: as soon as you increase the resolution or refresh rate, The demands on the GPU skyrocket and you may suffer a bottleneck between components.

Finally, don't forget the Energy consumption and refrigerationPowerful graphics cards generate heat and consume a lot of power, so it's essential that your power supply can handle it and that your case has decent airflow. All of this, of course, within a realistic budgetbecause GPU prices vary greatly depending on the range and generation.

Top graphics card brands and what they offer

The current market is mainly dominated by two large graphics chip manufacturers: NVIDIA and AMDIn addition to these, there's Intel, with its integrated GPUs and its new dedicated graphics cards, and a multitude of assemblers that sell cards based on these chips.

NVIDIA It is a global benchmark thanks to its GeForce series, very popular among players and video and design professionalsThey offer advanced technologies such as DLSS, ray tracing, and specific tools for streaming and content creation.

AMDWith its Radeon GPUs, it is the direct alternative to NVIDIA and is characterized by a good performance/price ratioIt also incorporates proprietary technologies to enhance the gaming experience and is highly competitive in the mid-range and high-end markets.

Besides chip manufacturers, there are brands like ASUS, MSI and many others who assemble their own versions of graphics cards, adding Improvements in cooling, higher factory frequencies, and custom designsModels like the ASUS ROG Strix series or the MSI Gaming X series are highly appreciated by gamers.

When you check which graphics card you have installed, you will usually see both the chip brand (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and the specific model from the manufacturer (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, etc.), which will give you a fairly accurate idea of ​​its features and build quality.

With everything we've seen, from the tools built into Windows like dxdiag, msinfo32 and Device ManagerFrom the utilities in macOS and Linux, you now have various ways to find out exactly which graphics card your PC or laptop has, differentiate between integrated and dedicated GPUs, check which drivers you are using and assess whether you need to update them or even change your graphics card; understanding also What you should look for before buying a new GPU and what the leading brands on the market offerYou'll find it much easier to get the most out of your equipment and avoid surprises when you want to play games, edit video, or work with advanced graphics.