How to Check Which Graphics Card (GPU) Your Mac Has

Knowing your Mac’s graphics card (GPU) helps you determine if it can run certain software, games, or external displays, and is also useful when troubleshooting graphics glitches. This guide shows you several ways to find your GPU model, whether you’re on an Intel-based Mac or one with Apple silicon (M1, M2, M3, etc.). You don’t need any special tools—just your Mac and a few clicks.

What You’ll Need

• Your Mac (any model running macOS)
• Access to the Apple menu (top-left corner)
• Optional: Terminal app (for the command-line method)

Step-by-Step

1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select “About This Mac” from the dropdown menu. A small window will appear showing an overview of your Mac.
3. Look for the “Graphics” or “Graphics/Displays” line in the overview. It will list the name of your GPU, for example “Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645” or “Apple M1 Pro”. If you see multiple GPUs (e.g., an integrated and a discrete one), they will be listed here.
4. For more detail, click the “System Report” button at the bottom of the About This Mac window. This opens the System Information app.
5. In the System Information sidebar, select “Graphics/Displays” under the Hardware section. The right-hand pane will show detailed information about your GPU, including the chipset model, VRAM (video memory), and PCIe link width if applicable.
6. Alternative method: Use Spotlight. Press Command (⌘) + Space to open Spotlight, type “System Information” and press Enter. Then navigate to Graphics/Displays as in step 5.
7. Alternative method: Use Terminal. Open Terminal (from /Applications/Utilities/ or via Spotlight) and type the following command, then press Enter:
   system_profiler SPDisplaysDataType
   This will output a text summary of your GPU(s). The name appears after “Chipset Model:”.

Common Mistakes

• Confusing the GPU with the processor (CPU). The GPU is listed under “Graphics” or “Graphics/Displays”, not under “Processor” or “Chip”.
• Looking at the wrong window. The “About This Mac” overview only shows the GPU name, not the VRAM or other details. For full specs, you must open System Report.
• Assuming all Macs have a discrete GPU. Many Macs, especially MacBook Air and base models, only have an integrated GPU (part of the CPU). That’s normal—it’s still your GPU.
• Misreading the chipset model. For Apple silicon Macs, the GPU is part of the chip (e.g., “Apple M2” includes an 8-core GPU). The System Report may list it as “Apple M2” or “Apple M2 Pro”—that’s the GPU name, not a separate card.
• Not refreshing after an eGPU is connected. If you use an external GPU (eGPU), the System Report will show it, but you may need to disconnect and reconnect the eGPU or restart the Mac to see it appear correctly.

Tips

• For Intel Macs with dual GPUs: You might see two entries, e.g., “Intel UHD Graphics 630” and “AMD Radeon Pro 5500M”. The Mac automatically switches between them to save power. The more powerful one (usually the AMD or NVIDIA) is the discrete GPU used for heavy tasks.
• Check VRAM: In System Report, under Graphics/Displays, you’ll see “VRAM (Total)” or “Metal Family”. This tells you how much video memory your GPU has, which is important for graphics-intensive applications.
• Use the command line for quick output: The Terminal command system_profiler SPDisplaysDataType is useful if you need to copy the info or script it.
• For Apple silicon Macs: The GPU is integrated into the chip. To find the number of GPU cores, go to Apple menu > About This Mac > More Info > System Report > Graphics/Displays. The “Chipset Model” will show e.g., “Apple M1 Pro” and the “Metal Family” will indicate support. The core count is listed in the chip’s specs, not in System Report.

Troubleshooting

If you don’t see the Graphics/Displays entry or the info seems missing:

• Make sure you’re in the right section. In System Information, the sidebar has “Hardware” at the top. Click the triangle next to it to expand, then select “Graphics/Displays”.
• If the GPU is not listed at all: This is rare, but could indicate a hardware issue. Try restarting your Mac. If it still doesn’t appear, run Apple Diagnostics (hold D at startup on Intel Macs, or hold the power button on Apple silicon) to check for hardware problems.
• If the name is generic like “Display Controller”: This can happen on Hackintosh (non-Apple hardware) or if the GPU drivers are not properly loaded. On a real Mac, this is unusual. Try resetting the NVRAM (on Intel Macs: restart and hold Option+Command+P+R) or update macOS.
• If you see “Metal: Supported” but no GPU name: Some older Macs may list the GPU model only after you click the “Graphics/Displays” row. If it’s blank, try using the Terminal command system_profiler SPDisplaysDataType—it often shows the chipset model even if the GUI doesn’t.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between integrated and discrete graphics?

Integrated graphics share memory with the CPU and are less powerful but more energy-efficient. Discrete graphics have their own dedicated VRAM and are faster, but consume more power. Most MacBook Airs use integrated graphics, while MacBook Pros and iMacs may have discrete GPUs.

2. Can I upgrade my Mac’s GPU?

On most Macs, the GPU is soldered to the logic board and cannot be upgraded. The exception is the Mac Pro (2019 and later), which has a modular GPU that can be replaced. External GPUs (eGPUs) can be used with some Intel Macs to add more graphics power, but Apple silicon Macs do not support eGPUs.

3. How do I know if my Mac supports a certain external display resolution?

Check the GPU’s capabilities in System Report. The maximum resolution and refresh rate depend on the GPU and the Mac’s ports. For example, an M1 MacBook Air supports one external display up to 6K at 60Hz, while an M1 Pro supports two. The official specs on Apple’s website list the exact limits.

4. Why does my Mac show two GPUs?

Intel-based Macs often have a low-power integrated GPU (e.g., Intel UHD) and a high-performance discrete GPU (e.g., AMD Radeon). The system switches between them automatically to save battery. You can force a specific GPU using third-party apps, but it’s not recommended for daily use.

5. Does the GPU affect gaming performance?

Yes, the GPU is the primary factor for gaming performance. A discrete GPU will handle games much better than an integrated one. However, other factors like CPU, RAM, and thermal throttling also matter. Check the game’s system requirements against your GPU model.

6. How do I find the GPU core count on Apple silicon Macs?

The System Report does not list the core count. You can find it by going to Apple menu > About This Mac > More Info > System Report > Hardware > Graphics/Displays. The “Chipset Model” will show e.g., “Apple M1 Pro” but not the core count. To see the core count, visit Apple’s website for your specific Mac model, or use a third-party app like “System Information” (from the App Store) that reads it.

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