Identify the Motherboard
If you are planning on upgrading your CPU, installing more RAM, or adding a video card, you may need to know what kind of motherboard you have. This will allow you to look up the documentation you need from the manufacturer, or to help a support tech troubleshoot a problem. Since the majority of Macs do not have upgradeable components, Mac user typically do not need to know your motherboard model, just their Mac model.
Contents
Steps
Visually Identifying the Motherboard
- Power down your computer. If you need to move the computer so that you can better access the inside, make sure that all of the cables on the back have been detached.
- This method only works for desktop computers. Laptop users will need to use one of the following methods, since you cannot easily access the motherboard on a laptop.
- Lay the case on a table or work surface. Rest it on the side so that all of the connectors on the back are closest to the table. These connectors are attached to the motherboard, and will help you determine if your case is laid on the correct side.
- Open the case. Most cases these days have thumbscrews securing the panel, though older cases may require the use of a Phillips-head screwdriver. You can also use a screwdriver on the thumbscrews if they are too tight. These screws are typically located running along the edge of the back side of the tower.
- After removing the two or three screws holding the panel in place, you slide it off or open it like a door, depending on the case.
- Find the motherboard model number. This is printed on the motherboard, but can be located in several possible locations. It may be printed near the RAM slots, near the CPU socket, or between the PCI slots. It may only be a model number without a manufacturer listed, but many modern motherboards will list both manufacturer and model.
- There will be a lot of writing on the motherboard, but the model number is usually written in the largest text.
- The model number may be obscured by installed components. Carefully unplug anything that's in the way, and ensure that you reconnect it after you are finished. If the computer hasn't been cleaned for awhile, dust may be obscuring the model number, which will need to be cleaned.
- Motherboard model numbers are typically a collection of numbers and letters, usually between 5-7 digits long.
- Look up the model number. If you couldn't find a manufacturer printed on the motherboard, you can usually quickly find it by entering your motherboard's model number into a search engine. Include the word "motherboard" in your search to cut down on results that aren't computer related.
Using CPU-Z
- 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 CPUID website.
- You can also use a variety of other hardware monitor programs, including PC Wizard, HWMonitor, and AIDA 64.
- Run CPU-Z. You will need to allow CPU-Z to run, as it requires administrator privileges. This is because it has to access a lot of low-level information, and most hardware options are disabled for non-administrators.
- CPU-Z will take a few moments to start as it gathers information about your computer.
- Click the "Mainboard" tab. This will pull up all the information for your motherboard. You can use the other tabs to find out other information about the hardware installed in your computer.
- Check the "Manufacturer" and "Model" fields. You should be able to retrieve most motherboard information from this page. Occasionally, a motherboard will not be reporting correctly and nothing will display here. IN that case, you will need to open your PC and visually identify the motherboard.
Checking the BIOS ID
- Open the System Information window. This is a utility that comes installed with all versions of Windows. Open the Run dialog box by selecting it from the Start menu or by pressing the Windows key + R. Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
- Find the "BIOS Version/Date" entry. Your BIOS ID will be displayed. You might also get lucky and be able to see your motherboard manufacturer and model in the "BaseBoard Manufacturer" and "BaseBoard Model" entries, but this often is not reported properly.
- Decode your BIOS ID. The Windows System Information window should tell you whether you have an Award or American Megatrends Inc. (AMI) BIOS. This will determine how you decode the ID number.
- Award - The first five digits indicate the chipset, and the following two digits indicate the manufacturer. The last two digits are manufacturer specific. You can use the charts here to identify your motherboard with this ID.
- AMI - The motherboard manufacturer is indicated by the last four digits of the third group of numbers. You can use the chart here to identify the manufacturer with this ID
