Finding your video card in Windows

The fastest way to see your video card is through Device Manager, which is built into Windows. Right-click the Start button in the bottom left corner and select Device Manager from the menu that appears. If Device Manager does not show up, search for it by typing "Device Manager" into the Windows search box at the bottom left.

Once Device Manager opens, look for a category called Display adapters and click the arrow next to it to expand the list. The name shown there is your video card — it might say something like "NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060" or "AMD Radeon RX 7600" or "Intel Iris Xe Graphics". That name is what you need if you are looking up specifications, checking driver updates, or troubleshooting display problems.

If you see multiple entries under Display adapters, your computer may have two graphics processors — one built into the CPU (called integrated graphics) and one separate card. Both names are correct; the separate card usually handles demanding tasks like gaming or video editing.

Finding your video card on a Mac

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select About This Mac. A window will open showing your computer's basic information. Click the System Report button at the bottom of that window.

In the System Report window, click Graphics/Displays in the left sidebar. The right side will show your video card information, including the model name and how much memory it has. Mac computers typically use integrated graphics built by Apple or Intel, so you might see "Apple M2" or "Intel Iris Graphics" depending on your model year.

Checking your video card through settings

Windows also lets you check your video card through the Settings app. Right-click on your desktop (the empty space, not on any icon or file) and look for an option like Display settings or Graphics settings. If you see this option, click it.

In Display settings, scroll down and click Advanced display settings. At the bottom of the next screen, you will see a section labeled Display information that shows your video card name. This method works on most Windows computers, though the exact wording of menu options varies slightly between Windows versions.

Key Takeaways

  • Device Manager is the most reliable way to find your video card name in Windows — right-click Start, select Device Manager, then expand Display adapters.
  • On a Mac, go to Apple menu > About This Mac > System Report, then click Graphics/Displays in the sidebar.
  • Your video card name tells you the manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and the specific model, which you need for driver updates or troubleshooting.
  • If you see two graphics entries, your computer likely has both integrated graphics and a separate video card, and both are working normally.
  • The video card name alone does not tell you how much memory it has — you may need to search the model number online to find that detail.

What to do once you know your video card

Once you have the exact name and model number, you can use it to find driver updates, check whether it supports a specific game or software, or search for troubleshooting steps if your display is acting up. Write down the full name or take a screenshot so you have it handy.

If you need to update your video card driver, go to the manufacturer's website — NVIDIA.com, AMD.com, or Intel.com — and search for your exact model. The driver read page will usually detect your card automatically if you use their driver search tool. Updating drivers can fix display glitches, improve performance in games, or resolve compatibility problems with new software.

Understanding what the video card name means

Video card names follow a pattern that tells you the manufacturer and generation. An NVIDIA card might say "GeForce RTX 4070" — the "RTX" part tells you it is a high-end gaming card, and the "4070" tells you it is from the 40-series generation. An AMD card might say "Radeon RX 7700 XT" — the "RX" indicates a gaming card, and the numbers show the generation and tier.

Intel graphics are usually simpler: "Intel Iris Xe Graphics" or "Intel UHD Graphics 770". These are built into the processor itself rather than being separate cards, so they share your computer's main memory instead of having dedicated memory. They work fine for everyday tasks and light gaming, but they are less powerful than separate NVIDIA or AMD cards.

Troubleshooting if you cannot find your video card

If Device Manager shows no Display adapters category, or if the category is empty, your video card drivers may not be installed. This usually means Windows cannot communicate with your graphics hardware. Restart your computer first — this fixes the problem in many cases because Windows will attempt to reinstall drivers on startup.

If restarting does not work, visit your computer manufacturer's support website (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, etc.) and search for your exact computer model. read the graphics driver from their support page and install it. Once the driver installs, restart again and check Device Manager — your video card should now appear.

If you still see nothing after restarting, your video card may have a hardware problem. At that point, contact your computer manufacturer's support line with your computer model number so they can advise whether repair or replacement is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see two different graphics cards listed?

Many modern computers have both integrated graphics (built into the processor) and a separate video card. This is normal and both are working. Your computer automatically uses the integrated graphics for everyday tasks to save power, then switches to the separate card when you run demanding programs like games or video editing software.

Does the video card name tell me how much memory it has?

The name alone usually does not. You can search the model number online to find the memory amount, or right-click the video card name in Device Manager and select Properties to see if the memory is listed there. Memory amounts typically range from 2 GB on budget cards to 24 GB or more on high-end models.

What if my video card name includes numbers I do not understand?

The numbers indicate the generation and performance tier. Higher numbers generally mean newer and more powerful. For example, an RTX 4090 is much more powerful than an RTX 4060. If you want to know exactly how your card compares to others, search the full model name on a tech review site — they publish performance rankings and specifications.

Can I change my video card from the settings?

No, the settings only show you what card you have. Changing your video card requires opening your computer and physically installing new hardware, or buying a new computer. Some laptops cannot have their video card upgraded at all because it is soldered to the motherboard.

Why would I need to know my video card name?

You need it to read the correct driver updates, check if your card supports a specific game or software, troubleshoot display problems, or sell your computer (buyers often want to know the specs). It is also useful if you are asking for tech support — the person helping you will ask for your video card model so they can give you accurate information.