Find your graphics card in Windows Settings

The fastest way to see your graphics card is through Windows Settings. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then select the Settings app. Go to System, then scroll down and click Display.

Scroll to the bottom of the Display page and click Advanced display settings. At the top of the next window, you'll see a section called Display information. Look for the line that says GPU or Graphics processor — that's your graphics card. It will show the manufacturer (like NVIDIA or AMD) and the model name.

This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you don't see GPU information in Display settings, your computer may be using an older version of Windows, and you'll need to try one of the other methods below.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Settings shows your graphics card under System > Display > Advanced display settings, in the GPU line.
  • Device Manager lists all graphics hardware under Display adapters, and shows the driver version you're currently running.
  • DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag) displays your graphics card and tells you how much memory it has.
  • If you have two graphics cards (integrated and dedicated), Windows will show both, and the dedicated one is usually the one you need to know about.

Check Device Manager for detailed graphics information

Device Manager shows every piece of hardware in your computer, including all graphics cards. Press the Windows key and type "Device Manager", then open it. Look for the category called Display adapters and click the arrow next to it to expand the list.

You'll see one or more graphics cards listed by name. If you see two entries — for example, "Intel UHD Graphics" and "NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060" — you have both an integrated graphics card (built into your processor) and a dedicated graphics card (a separate piece of hardware). The dedicated card is usually the one you need for gaming or graphics work.

Right-click on your graphics card and select Properties to see the driver version, the date the driver was last updated, and the hardware ID. This is useful if you need to update your graphics drivers or if you're troubleshooting a problem.

Use DirectX Diagnostic Tool to see memory and driver details

The DirectX Diagnostic Tool shows your graphics card alongside information about how much memory it has. Press the Windows key and type "dxdiag", then open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. Click the Display tab.

At the top of the Display tab, you'll see Name — that's your graphics card. Below that, look for Approx. Total Memory, which tells you how much video memory (VRAM) the card has. You'll also see the driver name and version at the bottom of the window.

This tool is especially useful if you're checking whether your graphics card has enough memory for a game or software you want to run. Most modern games list their graphics requirements in terms of VRAM, so knowing this number helps you decide whether your card will work.

Find your graphics card on a Mac

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select About This Mac. In the window that opens, click the Graphics tab (or look for a line that says "Graphics" if you're on an older macOS version).

You'll see the name and model of your graphics card, along with how much video memory it has. If you see two graphics cards listed, your Mac has both integrated graphics (usually Intel or Apple) and a dedicated graphics card (usually AMD). The dedicated card handles demanding tasks like video editing and gaming.

If you need more detailed information, you can also open System Report from the same About This Mac window and navigate to Graphics/Displays for additional technical details.

Understand integrated versus dedicated graphics

Many computers have two graphics cards, and it's important to know which one you're looking at. Integrated graphics are built into your processor and share your computer's main memory. They're fine for everyday tasks like web browsing and video playback, but they're slower for gaming and graphics work.

Dedicated graphics cards are separate pieces of hardware with their own memory. They're much faster and are what you need if you play games, edit video, or do 3D design work. If you see two graphics cards listed, the dedicated one is almost always the NVIDIA or AMD card, while the integrated one is usually Intel or Apple graphics.

If you're checking your graphics card because you want to play a game or run specific software, look at the dedicated card's specs. If you only have integrated graphics, that's still useful information — it tells you what kinds of tasks your computer can handle.

What to do if you can't find your graphics card information

If Windows Settings or Device Manager don't show your graphics card, your graphics drivers may not be installed. This sometimes happens after a fresh Windows installation. Go to the manufacturer's website (NVIDIA.com or AMD.com) and look for driver downloads. You'll need to know your graphics card model first, which you can sometimes find by looking at the physical card inside your computer.

If you're not comfortable opening your computer, you can also try running the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag) — even without drivers installed, it often detects the hardware and shows you what you have. Another option is to restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking, which sometimes helps Windows detect hardware it missed.

If none of these methods work, your graphics card may be failing or disconnected inside the computer. In that case, you may need to have a technician check the hardware connection or replace the card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see two graphics cards listed?

Most modern computers have both integrated graphics (built into the processor) and a dedicated graphics card. Windows shows both because they're both real hardware. The dedicated card (usually NVIDIA or AMD) is what handles demanding tasks. The integrated card handles everyday use when the dedicated card isn't needed.

What does VRAM mean, and why does it matter?

VRAM is video memory — memory that belongs to your graphics card. Games and graphics software list their requirements in VRAM amounts like "2GB" or "8GB". If your card has less VRAM than the software needs, it will run slowly or not at all. You can see your VRAM amount in the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.

How do I know if my graphics card is new enough for a game?

Check the game's system requirements on its store page or website. Compare your graphics card model and VRAM to what the game lists. If your card is listed or newer, and you have at least the required VRAM, it should work. If your card is older or has less memory, the game may not run or will run slowly.

Can I upgrade my graphics card?

It depends on your computer type. Desktop computers usually have a slot where you can install a new dedicated graphics card. Laptops almost never allow graphics card upgrades — the card is soldered to the motherboard. If you have a laptop and need better graphics performance, you may need to buy a new computer.

What if my graphics card isn't showing up in Device Manager?

The drivers may not be installed. Visit NVIDIA.com or AMD.com, find your card model, and read the latest drivers. Install them and restart your computer. If it still doesn't appear, the card may be disconnected inside the computer or may have failed, and you'll need to have it checked by a technician.