Content

• Steps

If you are planning to upgrade the CPU, install more RAM, or add a graphics card, you need to know your computer's motherboard type. With this information, you will be able to find the required documentation from the manufacturer or technical support when something goes wrong. Most of the components of a Mac are not upgradeable, so Mac users often do not need to know the motherboard number but only need to know their Macbook model.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Identify motherboard by appearance

1. 

   Power off the computer. If you need to move your computer to make the interior easier to see, make sure to disconnect all back cables.
   • This only works for desktop computers. Laptop users must take the next approach because it is difficult to find the laptop's motherboard.

2. 

   
   
   Place the chassis on a table or work surface. Set the case to the side so that all rear connectors are closest to the table top. These connectors attach to the motherboard and will help you identify the motherboard if the chassis is positioned correctly.

3. 

   Open the case. In most cases today the circuit board is tightened with a helical screw, whereas older models require the use of a cross-head screw. You can also use screwdrivers for helical screws if they are too tight. These snails are usually located along the edge on the back of the chassis.
   • After removing two or three screws fixing the board, pull or open it like a door, depending on the case.

4. 

   
   
   Find motherboard model number. The number is printed on the motherboard, but it is likely to be in many other locations, such as near the RAM slot, near the CPU socket, or in the middle of the PCI slot. The model number may include only the model number without the manufacturer's name, but many modern motherboards will list both the manufacturer and model name.
   • There are lots of text on a motherboard, but the number is usually the largest.
   • The model number can be difficult to see due to the installed components. Carefully remove any components that block your view and make sure you reinsert them correctly after you are done. If the computer has not been cleaned for a while, dust may obscure the model number and need to be cleaned.
   • Motherboard number is usually a set of letters and numbers, between 5-7 characters.

5. 

   
   
   Look at the number. If you cannot find the manufacturer's name printed on the motherboard, you can quickly search by entering your motherboard's number in a search engine. Add "motherboard" or "motherboard" to the search keywords to narrow the results. advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Use CPU-Z

1. 

   Download and install CPU-Z. This is a free utility that can display a lot of different information about your computer. You can download it for free from the website of CPUID.
   • You can also use many other hardware monitoring programs, including PC Wizard, HWMonitor and AIDA 64.

2. 

   Runs CPU-Z. Since access to a lot of low-level information is required and most hardware options are disabled for non-admin users, CPU-Z requires administrator privileges and you will have to allow it. new program is launched.
   • CPU-Z will take a while to start because the program needs to gather information about your computer.

3. 

   Click the "Mainboard" tab. All information about the motherboard will appear. You can use other tabs to view other information about the hardware installed in your computer.

4. 

   Check the "Manufacturer" and "Model" data areas. You will find most of your motherboard information on this page. Sometimes the motherboard is not properly reported and nothing is showing up here. In this case, you need to open the case and visually identify the motherboard. advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Check BIOS information

1. 

   Open the System Information window. This is an add-on that comes with all versions of Windows. Open the Run dialog box by selecting it in the Start menu or pressing the Windows + R key combination msinfo32 and press Enter.

2. 

   Look for the "BIOS Version / Date" entry. The BIOS version will appear. You can also sometimes see your motherboard manufacturer and model under "BaseBoard Manufacturer" and "BaseBoard Model", but this is usually not reported correctly.

3. 

   Read the information (ID number) of the BIOS. Windows System Information window will show that your computer owns the BIOS version of AMI vendor (American Megatrends Inc.) or Award (Award Software International Corporation) to read the correct BIOS ID number.
   • Award - The first five digits denote the processor, the next two digits denote the manufacturer. The last two digits are manufacturer specific. You can use this chart to identify your motherboard by that ID number.
   • AMI - Motherboard manufacturer is indicated by the last four digits of the third group of numbers. You can use this chart to identify the manufacturer by that ID number.
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