If you’re trying to suss out what graphics card, or GPU, is inside your Windows 11 rig, it looks pretty straightforward — but sometimes the little details can catch you out. Whether you’re troubleshooting driver dramas or just keen to have a squiz at what’s under the hood, knowing how to quickly check your GPU is dead handy. The best part? Windows 11 has built-in tools that do the job without needing any third-party apps — though they might not always show everything straight away, which can be a bit frustrating.
How to Check Your GPU on Windows 11
If your PC’s running like a slug or you’re about to update your drivers, these methods will tell you what graphics hardware you’re rocking. It’s all about the info, right? Expect to see your GPU’s model name, manufacturer, VRAM, and real-time usage. Not super in-depth, but enough to get a good idea of what’s what.
Method 1: Task Manager (the quick peek)
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager (fair dinkum, that simple). Once it’s open, click the Performance tab at the top. If you see just a minimal window, hit More details at the bottom.
Scroll down the sidebar and click GPU. It’ll load up showing current usage, GPU name, VRAM, and some tech-speak stuff. This method’s a ripper if you just want a quick look without faffing about. Sometimes, the GPU info might be N/A or not load straight away after a reboot — a quick restart might do the trick. Windows can be a bit slow with this sometimes, not sure why.
Method 2: Use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (for more detail)
Hit the Windows key + R, type dxdiag, then press Enter. That opens the DirectX Diagnostic Tool — a beefier way to check out your graphics card details.
Once it’s loaded, click on the Display tab. You’ll see your GPU’s name, driver info, manufacturer, and video memory (VRAM). It’s a bit of hidden treasure, and sometimes Windows doesn’t update this info right away if you’ve just slapped in a new GPU — a restart might help. Also, you can check your driver version here and compare it with the latest on the manufacturer’s website (like NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) to see if you need an update. Outdated drivers can cause all sorts of dramas in games and apps.
Extra tip: Device Manager (for hardware deets)
If you want more hardware-specific info, jump into Device Manager. Right-click the Start button and pick Device Manager. Expand Display adapters, and your GPU(s) will be listed there. Double-click for more info, and you can even update drivers from this spot — though it’s a bit more manual and not as detailed as the other methods.
Bear in mind, if you’ve got a laptop with both integrated and dedicated GPUs, you might see both listed in Device Manager, but Task Manager or dxdiag might only show one by default. So, if you’re Troubleshooting gaming or heavy graphics, it pays to check all the tools.
Tips for Checking Your GPU on Windows 11
- If the GPU info isn’t coming up right, try updating Windows or give your PC a reboot — sometimes Windows can be a bit slow to refresh hardware info.
- Some machines have two GPUs — an integrated one (like Intel’s) and a dedicated GPU (NVIDIA/AMD). It’s worth checking both.
- Use the info to update your GPU drivers if they’re out of date — old drivers can cause all kinds of glitches and poor performance.
- Bookmark
dxdiagfor quick reference later — dead handy if you’re tinkering with graphics settings a lot. - If any of the tech jargon sounds a bit over your head, a quick web search usually sorts it out. Windows can be a bit of a jargon jungle.
FAQs
Can I check my GPU without Task Manager?
No worries — absolutely. You can run dxdiag or go into Device Manager. Handy if Task Manager is acting up or doesn’t show your GPU properly.
Does the process differ between laptops and desktops?
Not much at all. The steps are pretty much the same, though on laptops you might need to check your dedicated GPU’s control panel (like NVIDIA Control Panel) for extra details.
How do I know if my GPU needs an update?
Compare the driver version from dxdiag or Device Manager with what’s latest on the manufacturer’s website. If it’s behind, it’s a good idea to update — especially if you’re noticing graphical glitches or your games aren’t running smoothly.
What if I’ve got two GPUs?
Both should show up in Device Manager. Usually, the integrated GPU does the basics, and the dedicated one handles the heavy lifting — gaming, rendering, etc. Sometimes, you need to set your preferred GPU in your graphics settings.
Will checking my GPU cause any dramas?
Nah, just looking at the specs is totally safe — no worries about damaging anything. Windows is just reading some info, that’s all.
Cheers, Quick Summary
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click the taskbar to open Task Manager.
- Click Performance, then select GPU.
- Use
dxdiagwith Windows + R for more detailed info. - Check the Display tab in dxdiag for GPU name and driver details.
- If you want hardware specifics, head to Device Manager.
Hopefully, this helps you get a good look at your GPU without any fuss. Good luck, mate!