This wikiHow teaches you how to find information on your computer's motherboard. This is usually done on Windows computers because you can't upgrade or replace the motherboard on Mac computers. To check motherboard information, you can use Command Prompt or a free program called Speccy. You can also visually identify the motherboard model by opening the CPU box on a desktop computer. Finally, you can check your Mac's motherboard information by looking up the serial number of your Mac computer, and then doing an internet search for the relevant motherboard.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Command Prompt on Windows Computer
Step 1. Go to Start
Click the Windows logo in the lower left corner.
Step 2.
Step 3. Type command prompt into Start
The computer will search for the Command Prompt program.
Step 4.
Step 5. Click Command Prompt
it's at the top of the Start window.
This action will open the Command Prompt.
Step 6.
Step 7. Enter the motherboard information command
Type:
wmic baseboard get product, manufacturer, version, serialnumber
into Command Prompt, then press Enter.
Step 8.
Step 9. Check the motherboard information
Check the snippets of information under the following headings:
Step 10.
- Manufacturer - Motherboard manufacturer. Usually this is the company that also made your computer.
- Product - Motherboard product number.
- Serial Number - Motherboard serial number.
- Version - Motherboard version number.
- You can use this information to find out what types of hardware can be added to your computer.
- Proceed to the next method if no information is displayed for the motherboard.
Method 2 of 4: Using Speccy on Windows Computer
Step 1. Visit the Speccy site
Launch a web browser and visit
Step 2. Click Download Free Version
It's a green button to the left of the page.
Step 3. Click Free Download when prompted
A page for selecting links will be displayed.
Step 4. Click the " Piriform " link
This link is located under the " Download from " heading under the " Speccy Free " section. The computer will start downloading Speccy.
If the file doesn't download right away, you can click Start Download located at the top of the page to force the computer to download it immediately.
Step 5. Install Speccy
Double-click the setup file, and then do the following:
- Click Yes when requested.
- Check the box "No thanks, I don't need CCleaner" in the lower right corner.
- Click Install
- Wait for the computer to finish installing Speccy.
Step 6. Click Run Speccy when prompted
It's a purple button in the middle of the setup window. Speccy will run.
If the Speccy release notes are not showing online, first uncheck the "View release notes" box below the button. Run Speccy.
Step 7. Click the Motherboard tab located on the left side of the Speccy window
Step 8. Check the motherboard information
Under the " Motherboard " heading at the top of the window, there are sections of information regarding the manufacturer, model, version of the motherboard, and so on.
You can use this information to select the type of hardware that can be added to your computer
Method 3 of 4: Identifying Mac Motherboard
Step 1. Open Apple menu
Click the Apple logo in the top left corner. A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 2. Click About This Mac at the top of the drop-down menu
Step 3. Write down the serial number
Pay attention to the number to the right of the "Serial Number" heading.
Step 4. Find the model of the Mac motherboard
Open your favorite search engine (such as Google), then type in your Mac's serial number followed by "motherboard," then press Return. The search engine will display a list of matching motherboard models.
Method 4 of 4: Visually Identifying the Motherboard
Step 1. Turn off the computer
When all work has been saved, press the " Power " button which is on the back of the CPU box.
This method can only be applied to desktop versions of Windows computers
Step 2. Unplug everything stuck in the computer's CPU box
This includes the ethernet cable, power cable, audio cable, and USB connector.
Step 3. Connect your body to earth (grounding)
This is to prevent you from accidentally releasing static electricity when it comes into contact with the motherboard or other sensitive electronic components.
Step 4. Get ready to open the case
Place the case on a table or other surface by laying the side of the case so that all the connectors on the back are near the tabletop. All of these connectors are attached to the motherboard so this position can help you to know if the case has been placed on the correct side or not.
Step 5. Open the computer case
Most cases have screws to secure the panels. You will need a screwdriver to work with old production cases. You can also use a screwdriver to unscrew hard-to-open screws. These screws are usually placed along the side edges on the back of the CPU.
Once the screws that secure the panels are removed, you can open or slide them like a door (depending on the case model)
Step 6. Find the motherboard model number
The number is usually printed on the motherboard, but you can look it up in any number of places. For example, the number might be printed near the RAM slot, between the PCI slots, or near the CPU socket. Maybe what is shown there is only the model number without including the manufacturer. However, most modern motherboards usually print the model and manufacturer's name.
- There is a lot of writing on the motherboard, but usually the model number is written in the largest text.
- Usually the motherboard model number is a set of numbers and letters.
Step 7. Search for the manufacturer by model number
If the manufacturer isn't listed on the motherboard, you can do a quick search to find it by typing the motherboard model number into a search engine. Include the word "motherboard" in your search to get rid of results that have nothing to do with your computer.
