Perhaps you want to upgrade your RAM, or check whether a new CPU will fit. The first step is knowing which motherboard is in the machine. If the motherboard’s box was sent off to recycling long ago, you need a solution for finding the model number.
This guide shows you how to find the model number of the board you already have, using four methods sorted from fastest to most thorough.
Key takeaways
- Windows System Information (msinfo32) shows the board’s manufacturer and model with no restart and no extra software.
- On a laptop or a prebuilt, what you want is the machine’s model number, not a board part number.
- The model number is also printed on the board itself, usually on a white label.
- Once you have the model number, searching “model number + spec” gets you the manual, the drivers, the BIOS, and the list of supported RAM and CPUs.
What counts as a motherboard model name?
A board’s model nameis something like “TUF Gaming B850-PRO WiFi7 W Neo” or “ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi.” It encodes elements like the series, the chipset, the form factor, and the revision.
It is not the CPU model, and it is not the PC’s serial number. The serial number is unique to one unit. The model name identifies the product, and it is the one you use to find support pages, manuals, and drivers.
Method 1: Windows System Information (fastest, no restart)
This is the method we use for most desktops.
1. Press the Windows key + R.
2. Type `msinfo32` and press Enter.
3. In the System Summary window, look through the right-hand list:
Baseboard Manufacturer: (for example: “Asustek COMPUTER INC.”)
Baseboard Product: (for example: “ROG CROSSHAIR X870E APEX”)
Baseboard Version: (for example: “Rev X.0”)
The “baseboard product” line gives you the full model name of your motherboard. You can also access the Windows System Information window by opening the start menu and searching for “System Information.”
Please note that things are a bit different with most laptops and many prebuilts. Rather than components built with modularity in mind, their motherboards are designed for that specific PC. With such systems, “Baseboard Product” shows a generic name or the OEM name instead of a retail board model. In that case, use the machine’s model number instead (see the laptop section below).
Method 2: CPU-Z
CPU-Z is a small, free utility that gives you detailed information on your CPU, motherboard, and memory. It shows the board’s manufacturer, model, chipset, BIOS date, and memory type in the “Mainboard” tab.
Helpfully, it shows the BIOS version and date, which matters if you are about to check whether a specific CPU is supported. If the BIOS is older than the CPU you want, you may need to update it before the board will accept the new chip.
Method 3: Boot into the BIOS/UEFI
If you do not have a working Windows install, or you just want to be sure, restart the PC and press DEL or F2 during the boot screen.
The splash screen and the main UEFI screen both show the board name and the BIOS version. This is the method to use if the OS is broken or you are building from scratch.
Method 4: Look at the board
Finally, you don’t necessarily even need a functioning PC to find the model name of your motherboard. Usually it’s printed right on the board itself. Open the case, look through a handy side window, or read the model name directly off the board. It’s typically on the board itself in the open space between the CPU socket and the RAM slots.
Read it exactly, including any suffix. The difference between “B850M-PLUS” and “B850M-PLUS WiFi” is real, and it changes the support page you need.
What to do once you have the model number
With the model number of your motherboard in hand, you can:
- Find the spec sheet and manual. Search “model number + spec” or go to the manufacturer’s product page.
- Check the supported RAM list (QVL). This tells you exactly which modules the board has been tested with, which is faster than guessing.
- Check the supported CPU list and BIOS version. Some CPUs require a BIOS update before the board will accept them. The product page lists which BIOS version added which CPU.
- Download the right drivers and BIOS. The product page has a “Support” or “Driver” section, and the model number is what routes you to the correct files.
- Start an upgrade decision. If you are deciding whether to drop a new CPU into this board, the model number is the first input to that question (see our guide, “Can you put a new CPU in your old motherboard?“).
Frequently asked questions
Does the motherboard show up in Device Manager?
No. Device Manager will give you plenty of information about the hardware connected to your motherboard, but not the board itself. System Information (msinfo32) is the right place.
I see “ASUS” but I do not know the model.
“ASUS” is the manufacturer. You need the product line (for example, “TUF Gaming B650M-PLUS”), which is the “Baseboard Product” field in System Information or the label on the board.
Does the revision matter (Rev 1.0 vs Rev 2.0)?
Sometimes. For BIOS and driver downloads, use the exact revision. For RAM and CPU compatibility, the revision rarely matters, but check the product page if you are close to a limit.
I am on a Mac. Does this apply?
No. This guide is for Windows PCs with a standard motherboard.
How is the model number different from the serial number?
The model number identifies the product (many units share it). The serial number is unique to one unit. For support, manuals, and compatibility, use the model number.