1. Check your system information
One of the quickest ways to identify the components of your PC is to check your system information. You can access this information on Windows systems by opening the Start menu and searching for “system information” in the search box. On Macs you can access it by clicking the Apple logo, selecting “About this Mac” and then “More Info”.
This will bring up a window displaying all the details about your computer, including its hardware components. These can include the CPU, RAM, graphics card, storage, sound card, network adapter, motherboard, and any other peripheral components connected to your system.
2. Identify your CPU
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brains of your computer and is responsible for carrying out all the instructions from programs and applications. To identify your CPU, open the System Information window and look for the Processor section. The name of your CPU should be listed here. You can also look for the CPU’s model number, which is usually the number after a slash or dash when you search for the processor on Google.
3. Determine your RAM capacity
Random Access Memory (RAM) is the primary memory used by your computer. To identify its capacity, go to the Memory section in the System Information window. You should see a list of all your RAM modules, as well as their capacity and speed.
4. Discover your graphics card information
The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) of your computer is responsible for handling all the graphics and image processing. To identify your GPU, look for the Display section in the System Information window. This will show you the model number and manufacturer of your graphics card, as well as its memory size.
You can also find out more information by downloading GPU-Z, a free program that provides detailed reports of your graphics card.
5. Identify your storage device
Your storage device includes the hard drive, solid-state drive, or any other memory device that stores the data on your computer. To identify this, look for the Disc Drives section in the System Information window. Here, you should see the type and size of your main storage device.
6. Know your sound card
If your PC has an integrated or dedicated sound card, you can identify it by going to the Sound section in the System Information window. Here, you should see the name and model number of your sound card. You can also find out more information about your card by downloading and running the free program Speccy.
7. Uncover your network adapter
Your network adapter is the piece of hardware responsible for connecting your computer to a network. To identify your network adapter, look for the Network Adapters section in the System Information window. Here, you should see the name and model number of your adapter.
8. See your peripherals
Any other devices connected to your computer are called peripherals. This includes devices such as webcams, printers, scanners, external storage devices, and so on. To identify these, look for the Devices and Printers section in the System Information window. Here, you should see each device listed with its name and model number.
9. Peruse your motherboard
The motherboard is the main circuit board in your PC and houses most of the important components. To identify your motherboard, look for the Motherboard section in the System Information window. Here, you should see the name and model number of your motherboard.
Alternatively, you can download the free program CPU-Z, which can provide detailed reports about your motherboard and other hardware components.
10. Find the BIOS version
The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is the software that initializes hardware components when you first turn on your computer. To identify the BIOS version on your PC, open the System Information window and look for the BIOS Version/Date section. Here, you should see the version number and build date of your BIOS.