How to see which video card on the computer: detailed instructions

A computer is a complex device with many components. A standard PC includes devices such as a processor, RAM, hard disk (drive), motherboard, video card, sound card, network interfaces and much more. Knowing everything about a component is very helpful. Even in terms of banal driver search. Especially often, users have to look for ways to see which video card is on the computer. For it is this component that most often needs updating drivers. We’ll show you how to find the information you need in several ways. Let's start with the simplest: what are video cards.

What types of graphics cards are there?

At the moment, there are two main types of video cards: integrated and discrete. The former are a graphics core integrated into a chipset or processor. As a rule, built-in graphics cards do not have much power and are suitable solely for displaying images on the screen. The maximum that can be done with their help is to view HD content. In 3D games, they behave inappropriately. Discrete graphics cards (they are also external) do an excellent job with resource-intensive games, have increased performance and, as a rule, have their own cooling system. They are designed to perform tasks of high complexity and should use only the latest drivers. Therefore, you need to know how to determine which video card on the computer. There are several ways to do this.

Method 1. Using the Windows device manager

This method is simple and accessible to everyone. Even a beginner will not have any problems. This option is the first answer to the question of where to find which video card is on the computer. But you still need to get to the device manager.

1. Open the "Control Panel" OS.
2. Click on the item "Device Manager".
3. Select the "Video Adapters" tab.

If all the necessary drivers are installed, the name of the video adapter and its model will be displayed in the "Video adapters" tab. If the drivers are installed standard (from the OS itself), then, except for the inscription "Standard Video Adapter Plug & Play", there will be nothing more. So, it's time to go to the second method.

Method 2. We use ID equipment

To implement this method, the last step will require Internet access. But then it will allow you to understand exactly which video card is on my computer. What do you need to do for this? The action algorithm is as follows.

1. Open the "Control Panel" again.
2. Launch "Device Manager".
3. We move to the tab "Video Adapters".
4. We right-click on the video card and select "Properties" in the menu that appears.
5. In the next window, move to the "Details" tab.
6. In the "Properties" field, select "Equipment ID".
7. In the box below, select the first value and copy it in the standard way (RMB in the text and select "Copy").
8. We open the browser and in the address bar we type "devid.info".
9. On the site, paste the copied data into the search bar and click "Search."

The service will immediately give out all the data on the video card. Including model, year of manufacture, manufacturer information, and even the generation of a graphics adapter. A list of drivers for download will also appear.

Method 3. We use the program AIDA64

AIDA64 is a unique application that is able to provide all the necessary information about all the components installed in the computer and laptop. Moreover, this program does not care if the drivers are installed or not. The utility also allows you to test the main components of the computer and issue a verdict on their status and relevance of drivers. Naturally, such cool software is not free. And the license is quite expensive. But on the Web (especially on torrent trackers) there are a huge number of already activated versions. So, download the program and install it. And then everything is simple.

1. Launch AIDA64 using the appropriate shortcut on the desktop or in a simple way from the Start menu.
2. In the left column, select "Computer".
3. Then "Summary Information".
4. The program will give general information about the installed components. Among other things, there will be information on the graphics adapter.
5. If more detailed information is needed, then you need to move to the "Display" item (in the left column).
6. Then - click on "Windows Video".

And then there will be comprehensive information about the installed graphics adapter. The beauty of this method is that you don’t even need to install drivers on video. This is one of the best answers to the question of how to see which video card is on the computer. However, all of these options are good if the computer turns on. And if not? How to see which video card is on the computer in this case? There is an option for such a development.

Method 4. Reading markings on the video card itself

Any discrete graphics card has a special sticker on the "back" side. This label contains product labeling. And it includes the name of the model of the video card. All you need is to find this sticker and read what is written there. Better yet, take a picture. Then you can access the Internet from a smartphone (or some other device), drive the information found in the search and find out everything about the video card. And this is another answer to the question of how to check which video card is on the computer. However, it also happens that this sticker is not. Or the information on it is already unreadable. What to do then? There is an exit.

Method 5. Reading markings on a chip

Each video card contains a chip that is responsible for the operation of all components of the graphics adapter. And on this chip has its own marking, which includes the model of the chip and other necessary information. From this information you can find out everything about the graphics adapter. Only for this you will need access to the Internet. This method is not very good also for the reason that in order to get to the chip you have to dismantle the video accelerator cooling system. And with a lack of experience, something can easily be damaged. And then the video card will completely fail. If there is no experience, then it is better to look for another answer to the question of how to find which video card is on the computer. For example, find documents from a video card and look in them. So it will definitely be more reliable.

Conclusion

So, we tried to give answers to the question of how to see which video card is on the computer. This can be done in several ways. It is best to use a software product called AIDA 64 for these purposes. There are also options for cases when the computer completely refuses to turn on. But not all of them are safe. In any case, there are many methods for solving this problem. And only the user himself can choose what suits him. The main thing is to follow the instructions. Without amateur performances. And then everything will work out.