Computer parts like your CPU and RAM are very easy to find out, especially if you know how to check for your system summary in your PC and find all the information you want. You probably need to answer the question “what motherboard do I have?” to find out what computer parts are compatible with it, or if you’re overdue for an upgrade.
Depending on your operating system and motherboard model, there are a few steps to answer the question “what motherboard do I have?”
How To Retrieve Motherboard Information and Motherboard Brand
#1 – Use The Windows Command Prompt
If you know your way around running Windows Command Prompt, this method will work for you.
To open your Command Prompt, do the following:
- Type CMD in the Windows Search Bar and press Enter.
- In the Command Prompt window, enter the following command “wmic baseboard get product,Manufacturer” without the “”, then press Enter.
- You’ll see your motherboard model information along with the name and manufacturer displayed on the Command Prompt window.
#2 – Open your Computer Case and Check What Motherboard You Have
Another way to locate your motherboard manufacturer info or find out what your motherboard model is specifically is to open your computer case.
You’ll see specific information printed on your motherboard, as seen below:
Here’s a complete list of the popular manufacturers for most motherboards to help you locate their name on your board:
- Gigabyte
- Biostar
- EVGA
- MSI
- ASRock
- ASUS (or ASUSTeK)
As soon as you locate the manufacturer’s logo or brand name on your motherboard but you’re unsure about the model name or can’t find this information, check the motherboard’s chipset.
You want to look for a 4-digit code. This code will consist of a letter and three numbers. As seen on the screenshot above, they have a Z370 chipset motherboard. If you can find this particular 4-digit string on your motherboard, you’ll have located your motherboard’s model number.
A quick Google search will let you know what specs you have for your motherboard and give you access to additional motherboard information such as number of RAM slots, compatible graphics cards, and so on.
#3 – Check Motherboard Model with System Information in Windows
You should also be able to find the same information above by using the System Information menu. Here’s how to access it:
- Type System Information in the Windows Search Bar, and press Enter
- Scroll down till you find the System Summary Tab. This will show up on the left side of the window. Locate “motherboard manufacturer” or “baseboard manufacturer” in the window.
- You’ll want to find these texts on the System Summary Tab:
- ‘Motherboard/BaseBoard Manufacturer’
- ‘Motherboard/BaseBoard Model’
- ‘Motherboard/BaseBoard Name’
This method might also be considered as the easiest way to answer the question “what motherboard do I have?”, but it’s sometimes hit or miss. But you should still be able to find the manufacturer information for your motherboard, regardless, as seen below:
#4 – Use Third Party Software Or Motherboard Checkers
If you don’t want to make use of the command prompt to find out what motherboard you have, you can download third-party software such as CPU-Z and Speccy that will let you know what motherboard type you have. For Speccy, you need to pay $19.95 in order for it to show what your computer’s hardware are. CPU-Z will display all the motherboard information for free.
Belarc Advisor is also another free program that can help you locate your motherboard’s model name among other things.
What Do You With These Motherboard Details?
Now that you have your motherboard info, what do you want to do with this information? Well, you’ll be able to find out if you need to upgrade your motherboard, or if one of the components you’re planning on upgrading (like graphics card, RAM, or SSD) are compatible with the motherboard’s model. Who knows, you might even be in the market for a new motherboard model to accommodate future upgrades.
If you’re planning on building a mini-PC using a mini ITX motherboard, then you’re going to want to read this section below.
Motherboard Shopping Tips
The motherboard is an important component in all computers. Without it, computers won’t be able to run at all. If you’re in the market for a new motherboard, here are a few shopping tips.
Form Factor (Size)
Form factor is a sizing category that most motherboards, if not all, follow. You’ll need to pay attention to the form factor because your computer case takes this into consideration as well. For example, if you have a tower case, you can accommodate an ATX or even an EATX motherboard. But if you have a small case and you want to get an EATX, you’ll need to change your case.
PCI Slots
The PCI slot is a port located on your motherboard. These have been the standard expansion slots for years and will allow you to install expansion cards on your motherboard. If you’re a gamer, you might want to get a motherboard that has a PCI-e x16 slot. You’ll need a motherboard with multiple PCI-e slots if you plan on using more than one video card. Other expansion slots would allow you to install wi-fi adaptors, sound cards, and other connectivity hardware.
Memory Slots
RAM, or Random Access Memory, slots are also another points for consideration when it comes to buying a new motherboard. The motherboard that you want to purchase needs to be able to accommodate the number of RAM you want installed, and its frequencies. If you were to purchase a new motherboard, consider a model that can accommodate at least 16GB even if you don’t plan on using 16GB of RAM. Having these slots will be helpful in the future if you do decide to upgrade your RAM.
The Processor Socket
Another thing to look out for is the processor socket. You’ll find three different processor sockets, namely LGA, BGA, and PGA. Intel processors use LGA while AMD processors use PGA. BGA sockets aren’t as popular because these sockets are permanently attached to the motherboard, so they can’t be replaced, upgraded, or serviced even. If you are particular about the kind of CPU you’re using, then you need to be aware of what sockets your motherboard has.
SATA
If you’re buying a new motherboard, consider the number of SATA ports it has. You’ll need a SATA port for optical drives and storage drives, like an SSD or HDD. Some motherboards will now have NVM.e slots for the newer SSD models, so if you want to upgrade to something like that, you’ll need to make sure your motherboard has NVM.e slots.
To Summarize The Shopping List
- You need the right socket for CPU – Your motherboard needs to be able to accommodate either AMD or Intel sockets if you ever need to purchase a new mobo.
- You need to find the right size – Remember, the smaller the motherboard model, the less features it has. Unless you have an ITX case, there’s no reason for you to get a MicroATX or Mini-ITX motherboard. You should always stick with the ATX or EATX motherboard models.
- Motherboards aren’t that expensive – You can find a decent motherboard with everything that you need for less than $200. If you do plan on overclocking your CPU or GPU, you might need to spend more than $200 for the motherboard.