How do I know which motherboard I have?

Among the components of a computer, the motherboard of the PC could be considered as the soul of the equipment, since all the necessary parts for it to work are connected to it. Knowing the information regarding its model, capacity, version and other details can be important for managing the computer.

“How to know the characteristics of my PC” is usually a very popular question in computer forums, whether it is for repair issues, changing parts or any intervention in software or hardware.

Likewise, many netizens do searches like “see my PC’s characteristics” or “how to know what processor I have?”, before doing an update, in order to make sure that what they want to install is compatible.

On the other hand, a question that usually accompanies this question is “how to know the motherboard of my PC”, since it is very relevant in cases where a desktop computer is being built by parts.

In assembly, knowing the motherboard components is crucial, to avoid compatibility issues between parts. If care is not taken, it could cause the PC to perform poorly or even not function at all. Therefore, it is very important to choose motherboard components that are suitable in terms of format, power and consumption.

How do I know which motherboard I have?

If we need to investigate how to know my motherboard, one of the first things we must determine is the type of computer we are working with, since the procedure is not the same in a mini PC as in a laptop, for example.

The motherboard of the computer is an important element and, basically, it is the one that ensures that each piece can communicate with each other, in addition to transforming and distributing the energy for the operation of the computer.

Knowing your data can be useful at different times, whether it is to look for a spare part, replace an old one with a new one, or even when you want to sell the PC and buy a new one.

If you are one of those who have ever asked in a forum “how to see the characteristics of my PC?”, because you needed information about your motherboard, then we will indicate several methods to help you get it.

physical methods

Motherboards usually have the brand and model printed on their surface or on top of some special shield, so one of the most direct solutions to find out which motherboard a computer works with is simply by taking a look. However, depending on the type of PC, it may be more or less complex to reach inside the equipment.

1. Tower computers

To find out the model and manufacturer of the motherboard in a tower computer, the first thing to do is turn off the computer completely, and then deactivate the power source and avoid any risk of short circuit.

Using the appropriate size star-head screwdriver, remove the screws from the tower cover, which are usually on one of the side edges. Once out, gently push the cover back to remove it and expose the motherboard.

2. Laptops

Laptops are a bit easier to handle, but be careful as their construction can be finicky compared to a tower model.

On most models, you will be able to access the interior by removing the bottom cover of the computer. To do this, completely turn off the device and remove the battery. Next, take the corresponding screwdriver and remove all the screws that hold the cover, including the one that is usually under the warranty seal.

Once you’ve removed the screws, carefully begin to lift the cover off, using a plastic pry bar if necessary. Remember that you should not force it, since you could break some section. Once you’ve removed it, you’ll be able to see an entire view of the motherboard.

On the other hand, if you have a mini or an All In One computer at home, we advise you to opt for software methods, since, due to the compact dimensions of this type of model, handling it is much more complex..

software methods

If you are not trained to manipulate your computer in depth, these software methods can also help you, which you can carry out from the operating system interface and in a few steps:

1. From Home

To access the information on your computer directly, you can go to Start and type System Information, and then select the option that the search engine will show you. When you click on it, a window will open with all the data related to the components of your computer, including the motherboard. Specifically, you will be able to see the name of the manufacturer, the product and the version.

2. From the Control Panel

Click Start and proceed to type Control Panel, so that the interface shows you the corresponding application and you can access it. Once inside, you must find the System icon to select it. On the left side of the screen, you will see some options and you will need to click on Device Manager. In the window that will appear next, you will be able to find information about all the essential hardware and software that is installed on your computer.

By carefully reviewing the list you can find various sections within the tab called System Devices, dedicated exclusively to data about the motherboard.

3. From Command Prompt

Click Start, type CMD.exe on your keyboard and press the Enter key. This should open a Command Prompt window. In this window you must write “wmic csproduct get name,identifyingnumber,uuid” removing the quotes and pressing Enter again.

This action will give you information about the Identification Number of the plate, the commercial name and its UUID.