How to Check Your Motherboard Model in Windows

Knowing your motherboard model is essential for driver updates, BIOS upgrades, hardware compatibility checks, or simply understanding your PC’s capabilities. This guide shows you several built-in Windows methods—plus a free third-party tool—to find that information quickly, without opening your case.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows PC (Windows 10 or Windows 11 recommended, but most steps work on Windows 8/8.1)
• Administrator access (only needed for the Command Prompt method; others work as a standard user)
• Internet connection (only if you choose the optional third-party tool method)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using System Information (GUI)

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter. The System Information window opens.
3. In the left pane, make sure System Summary is selected (it is by default).
4. In the right pane, look for two entries:
   • BaseBoard Manufacturer – the brand (e.g., ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, Dell).
   • BaseBoard Product – the model (e.g., PRIME B450-PLUS, B450 TOMAHAWK MAX).
5. Note down both values. If you see “System Manufacturer” and “System Model” instead, those refer to the whole computer (e.g., Dell XPS 15), not the motherboard—use the BaseBoard fields.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt (CMD)

1. Click the Start button, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Accept the UAC prompt.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   wmic baseboard get Manufacturer, Product, Version, SerialNumber

3. The output shows the manufacturer, product model, version, and serial number. The Manufacturer and Product columns are what you need.
4. If the output is blank or shows “N/A”, your system may not expose this data via WMI—try another method.

Method 3: Using PowerShell

1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin).
2. Type the following and press Enter:

   Get-CimInstance Win32_BaseBoard | Select-Object Manufacturer, Product, Version, SerialNumber

3. The result shows the same details as the CMD method, formatted as a table.

Method 4: Using a Third-Party Tool (Optional)

1. Open your web browser and go to the official website of a well-known system information tool such as CPU-Z or Speccy.
2. Download the installer or portable zip version (portable does not require installation).
3. Run the program. In CPU-Z, click the Mainboard tab. In Speccy, look under Motherboard in the left sidebar.
4. You will see the manufacturer, model, chipset, BIOS version, and more.

Method 5: Using DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DxDiag)

1. Press Windows + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter.
2. Click Yes if asked to check for digitally signed drivers.
3. In the System tab, look for System Manufacturer and System Model. These often reflect the motherboard, but on pre-built systems they may show the OEM computer model instead. If so, use another method.

Common Mistakes

• Confusing system model with motherboard model: On pre-built PCs (Dell, HP, Lenovo), “System Model” in System Information or DxDiag often shows the computer model (e.g., “Inspiron 3670”) rather than the actual motherboard. Always look for “BaseBoard” fields.
• Running CMD without admin rights: The wmic command may return an “Access denied” error if you do not run Command Prompt as administrator.
• Typing the command incorrectly: A simple typo (e.g., “baseborad” or missing comma) will cause an error. Copy and paste the command directly.
• Using a laptop and expecting a desktop-style motherboard: Laptop motherboards are often proprietary and may show a model like “82K3” or “XPS 15 7590”. That is normal—use that model for driver searches.

Tips

• Write it down: Keep the manufacturer and model somewhere safe. You will need it for BIOS updates or RAM upgrades.
• Check BIOS version too: The System Information window also shows the BIOS version/date. This is useful when troubleshooting boot issues.
• Use the serial number for warranty: The serial number from the CMD command can help when contacting support.
• If you have a pre-built PC, check the OEM support page: Search for the computer model (e.g., “HP Pavilion 590-p0020”) to find motherboard details and driver downloads.
• No internet? Use the physical board: If all software methods fail, open the case (desktop only) and look for the model printed directly on the board, usually between the CPU socket and RAM slots.

Troubleshooting

If the methods above do not give you a clear answer, try these fixes:

• wmic command not recognized: On newer Windows 11 versions, WMIC may be removed. Use the PowerShell method instead, or download a portable tool.
• Blank output in CMD: Some OEMs do not populate the WMI fields. Run PowerShell as admin and try: Get-CimInstance Win32_BaseBoard | Format-List * to see all available properties.
• System Information shows “System Model” but not “BaseBoard”: This can happen on laptops. Try the third-party tool method, or check the manufacturer’s support page using your laptop’s serial number.
• Third-party tool shows “Unknown”: Very old or very new motherboards may not be recognized. Update the tool to the latest version, or try a different one.
• You cannot see the model because the screen is black: If your PC boots but the display is off, use a live Linux USB to read the DMI data, or physically inspect the board.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to know my motherboard model?

It is essential for finding correct drivers, checking CPU/RAM compatibility, updating the BIOS, and troubleshooting hardware issues. Manufacturers often release fixes that only apply to specific board revisions.

Can I find the motherboard model without opening my PC?

Yes, all the methods above work from within Windows. You only need to open the case if software methods fail or if you need the exact revision printed on the board.

Is the motherboard model the same as the computer model?

Not always. On custom-built PCs, they are different. On pre-built systems, the computer model may be a brand name (e.g., “OptiPlex 7070”) while the motherboard is a proprietary board with a different code (e.g., “0GY6Y8”). Always use the BaseBoard fields for the actual motherboard.

What if the manufacturer is “Unknown” or the model is blank?

This usually happens on very old systems or when the BIOS does not report the data. Try a third-party tool like CPU-Z, or check the physical board. On laptops, search the serial number on the manufacturer’s support site.

Does Windows 11 have a different way to check?

No, the System Information (msinfo32) and PowerShell methods work identically on Windows 11. The only difference is that WMIC is deprecated, so use PowerShell instead.

Can I use this information to overclock my CPU?

Knowing the motherboard model tells you the chipset (e.g., Z790, B550), which determines whether overclocking is supported. However, overclocking carries risks—always consult your motherboard manual and follow safe voltage limits.

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