The fastest way to check your GPU on Windows is Task Manager. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, open the Performance tab, and look for GPU 0 in the sidebar. The model name shows at the top right, along with driver version and VRAM. Laptops with integrated and dedicated graphics list two entries, GPU 0 and GPU 1.

Key Takeaways
  • Task Manager’s Performance tab is the fastest way to check.
  • Laptops often show two GPUs: integrated and dedicated.
  • The dedicated GPU is the one that matters for gaming.
  • Device Manager and dxdiag work as reliable backups.

Method 1: Task Manager

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager directly.
  2. Click the Performance tab.
  3. Look in the left sidebar for GPU 0 (and GPU 1 if you have a second one).
  4. Click on it. The GPU’s full name shows in the top right corner.

This panel also shows GPU usage in real time, driver version, and dedicated memory (VRAM). It’s the fastest method because Task Manager is already built into Windows and opens in under two seconds. If that usage number is pegged at 100%, here’s whether that’s actually a problem.

Method 2: Windows Settings

  1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
  2. Go to System, then Display.
  3. Scroll down and click Advanced display.
  4. Your GPU appears under “Display information.”

This method works the same way on Windows 10 and Windows 11, though the exact menu wording shifts slightly between versions. Microsoft’s own support page covers both versions side by side if you get stuck.

Method 3: Device Manager

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Find “Display adapters” in the list.
  3. Click the arrow next to it to expand.
  4. Your GPU (or GPUs) will be listed by name.

Device Manager is useful when Task Manager shows a generic name or when you need to check driver status directly, since you can right-click the GPU here to update or roll back its driver. Once you know your model, you can grab the latest driver straight from Nvidia or AMD’s official support pages instead of relying on Windows Update. Full steps are in our guide to updating GPU drivers.

Method 4: DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag)

  1. Press Windows key + R to open Run.
  2. Type dxdiag and hit Enter.
  3. Click the Display tab.
  4. Your GPU name, manufacturer, and total memory appear under “Device.”

dxdiag also reports DirectX feature level support, which matters if you’re troubleshooting whether a specific game will run on your hardware. It’s also a handy place to eyeball your GPU temperature alongside what temperature range is actually safe.

For Power Users: PowerShell

Open PowerShell and run this command:

Get-CimInstance win32_VideoController

This returns your GPU’s name plus technical details like driver version and current resolution, in plain text. Full documentation for this cmdlet is on Microsoft Learn if you want to script something more advanced around it. It’s the fastest option if you’re already working in a terminal or writing a script that needs this info.

Why You Might See Two GPUs Listed

If your PC shows two entries, that’s normal, not a bug (the same way it’s normal for GPU fans to sit idle until the dedicated one actually kicks in). Most gaming laptops and some desktops pair an integrated GPU (built into the CPU) with a dedicated GPU (a separate, more powerful chip).

The integrated GPU handles light tasks like browsing and video playback to save battery. The dedicated GPU kicks in for games and heavier workloads. When people ask “what GPU do I have” because a game is running slower than expected, the dedicated GPU is almost always the one that matters. Not sure if it’s actually the GPU holding you back? See how a GPU differs from the rest of your graphics card for the full picture.

Related reading: a GPU not being detected how to upgrade a GPU.

On the RAM side: what RAM do I have.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check my GPU on Windows 11 specifically?

The same four methods work identically on Windows 11 and Windows 10. Task Manager’s Performance tab remains the quickest option on both versions.

Why does Task Manager show a different GPU than I expected?

This usually means your laptop has two GPUs, integrated and dedicated, and Task Manager is showing the one currently in use for your display, not necessarily the one handling your active game or app.

What GPU does my laptop have if it only shows “Intel” or “AMD” graphics?

That likely means you only have integrated graphics, with no separate dedicated GPU installed. This is common on budget and ultraportable laptops built for battery life over gaming performance.

Can I check my GPU without opening Windows at all?

Yes. Restarting your PC and entering the BIOS or UEFI menu (usually by pressing Delete or F2 during boot) will list installed hardware, including your GPU, before Windows even loads.