The fastest way to find your motherboard
Your motherboard model is easiest to find by opening your computer and looking at the circuit board itself — the manufacturer and model number are printed directly on it in large text. If you do not want to open your case, Windows and Mac both have built-in tools that show this information without any downloads or restarts.
On Windows, the quickest method is to open Command Prompt and run a single command that pulls the motherboard data from your system. On Mac, the information lives in System Information under Hardware Overview. Both methods take under two minutes and work on any computer, whether it is a desktop, laptop, or older machine.
Key Takeaways
- The motherboard model and manufacturer are printed directly on the circuit board itself, visible if you open your computer case.
- Windows users can type a command into Command Prompt to see the motherboard model without opening the case or installing anything.
- Mac users can find the motherboard information in System Information under the Hardware Overview section.
- Laptop motherboards are harder to access physically, so using the built-in system tools is usually the better choice for portable computers.
- Knowing your exact motherboard model helps you find the correct drivers, BIOS updates, and compatibility information from the manufacturer's website.
Finding your motherboard on Windows using Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. The Command Prompt window will open with a black background and a blinking cursor.
Type the following command exactly as shown and press Enter:
wmic baseboard get product,manufacturer
The system will display two lines of information. The first line shows the column headers — "Manufacturer" and "Product". The second line shows your motherboard's manufacturer (such as ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, or ASRock) and the exact model number. Write down both pieces of information, as you will need the model number to search for drivers or BIOS updates.
If the command does not work or returns no information, your system may have restrictions on the WMIC tool. In that case, use the Device Manager method described in the next section instead.
Finding your motherboard using Device Manager
Press the Windows key and type Device Manager, then press Enter. The Device Manager window will open showing a list of hardware categories.
Look for a category called System devices and click the arrow next to it to expand the list. Scroll through the items until you find one that contains your motherboard manufacturer's name — common entries are "Intel Management Engine Interface", "AMD Chipset", or entries that start with your motherboard maker's name like "ASUS" or "Gigabyte".
Right-click on any of these items and select Properties. Click the Details tab at the top of the window. In the dropdown menu that says "Property", select Hardware IDs. The information displayed will include codes that identify your motherboard, though the format is technical. You can search these codes online along with your computer manufacturer's name to find your exact motherboard model.
This method is less direct than Command Prompt but works on all Windows systems. If you are still unable to find the information, the physical inspection method is your most reliable option.
Finding your motherboard on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select About This Mac. A window will open showing basic information about your computer.
Click the System Report button. A new window titled "System Report" will open. On the left side, you will see a list of categories. Make sure Hardware Overview is selected (it usually is by default).
Look for a line labeled Model Identifier. This shows your Mac model, such as "MacBookPro15,1" or "iMac19,1". While this is not the motherboard manufacturer's model number in the traditional sense, it is the identifier Apple uses for your specific hardware configuration, and it is what you need to find compatible drivers, firmware updates, or hardware specifications.
If you need more detailed information about the actual circuit board components, scroll down in the System Report window to find sections labeled Memory, Graphics, and Storage. These show the specific components installed on your Mac's motherboard.
Opening your computer case to read the motherboard directly
If you want to see the motherboard model printed on the board itself, you will need to open your computer case. Before you do this, shut down your computer completely, unplug the power cable, and wait at least 30 seconds. This prevents electrical damage to components.
On a desktop tower, the side panel is usually held on by two or three large screws or thumb screws on the back. Remove these and slide the panel off. Look inside and locate the large circuit board — this is your motherboard. The manufacturer name and model number are printed in large white or yellow text, usually near the center or along one edge of the board. Take a photo with your phone if you want to keep the information for later.
On a laptop, the motherboard is much harder to access and usually requires removing the keyboard and several internal components. Unless you are comfortable with laptop disassembly, use the software methods described above instead. Laptop motherboards are also often custom-made for that specific model, so the software methods will give you the information you actually need.
After you have written down the information, close the case and plug the computer back in. Do not force any components or remove anything beyond the side panel if you are not experienced with computer hardware.
What to do with your motherboard model number
Once you have your motherboard manufacturer and model number, you can use this information to find drivers, BIOS updates, and detailed specifications. Visit the manufacturer's website directly — type the manufacturer name and "support" into a search engine, or go to asus.com, msi.com, gigabyte.com, or asrock.com depending on who made your board.
On the manufacturer's support page, search for your exact model number. You will find a downloads section with drivers for your operating system, BIOS update files, and a manual that shows every port and component on your motherboard. These resources are useful if you are upgrading hardware, troubleshooting a problem, or straightforward want to understand what components your computer has.
If you are building a new computer or replacing your motherboard, knowing the exact model helps you verify that new components like RAM, graphics cards, or storage drives are compatible with your board. The motherboard manual lists all compatible hardware specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the Command Prompt command does not show any results?
Some Windows systems have WMIC disabled for security reasons, or your user account may not have permission to run the command. Try the Device Manager method instead, or open your computer case and read the model number directly from the circuit board. Both methods work on any Windows computer regardless of settings.
Is my motherboard the same thing as my processor?
No. Your processor (CPU) is a single chip that sits on top of the motherboard. The motherboard is the large circuit board that everything plugs into. You can find your processor model through the same Command Prompt window by typing wmic cpu get name instead.
Do I need to know my motherboard model to use my computer normally?
No. You only need this information if you are installing new hardware, updating drivers, troubleshooting a specific problem, or building a new computer. For everyday use, your computer works fine without you ever knowing the motherboard model.
Can I find this information on a laptop without opening it?
Yes. Use the Command Prompt method on Windows or the System Report method on Mac. Both work on laptops and do not require you to open the case. Laptop motherboards are custom-made for each model, so the software methods give you the information you need anyway.
What if my computer is very old and does not have Windows 10 or newer?
The Command Prompt method works on Windows 7 and Windows 8 as well. If that does not work, open Device Manager the same way and look through System devices. On very old computers, opening the case and reading the motherboard directly is often the most reliable method.