Graphics Cards: 2: Jan 9, 2019: U: Graphics cards and their numbers/letters, what do they indicate? Graphics Cards: 1: Oct 7, 2018: new gaming 4k@60fps with and without dlss, nvidia rtx performance numbers for 2080ti 2080 and 1070: Graphics Cards: 1: Sep 13, 2018: P: The hype is out, what about some numbers? Graphics Cards: 8: Aug 21, 2018: V: Intel (R) HD Graphics (No Number). R5-series cards are meant to be entry-level cards not used for gaming. They range from the R5 210 to the R5 235X. The mid-level cards span quite a distance, from the R7 240 (which is a relatively weak card) to the R7 265 which is a decent budget graphics card. The next series of cards can be subdivided into two categories.
I know of many ways to get a rough idea of my graphics card model. Here are two examples (instructions for Windows 7):
Method 1
1) Click start
2) Type dxdiag and press enter
3) Go to the Display tab and check the Name property.
Method 2
1) Click start
2) Right click on Computer and select Properties
3) Click on Device Manager
4) Expand the Display adapters to get a list of video cards
Problems
Unfortunately both these methods suffer from problems:
1) This is a very inaccurate measure. For example, if I have an ATI Radeon 4830, both methods will show that I have an ATI Radeon 4800 series i.e. there is no way to distinguish between different models within the 4800 series or any other series for that matter.
2) This is dependent on having the correct driver installed. If I have an incorrect driver installed, there is no way for me to find out what the correct driver should be.
Question
Is there any way for me to be able to determine the exact model of a graphics card without relying on having the correct driver installed. I realise there are ways to do this such as checking the documentation that comes with the computer or perhaps opening it up but I am interested in seeing if there is way of doing this with software.
Edit:Please note the requirements carefully. If the method relies on reading from the driver then it is ineligible.
If there is no program that can do this, is there a manual method? Some kind of website database etc?
Thanks!
Rupert Madden-Abbott
Rupert Madden-AbbottRupert Madden-Abbott
6 Answers
![Serial Serial](https://images.bjorn3d.com/Material/ReviewImages/visiontek_550/card_rear.jpg)
I use Speccy. Its an awesome little free tool that give you all kinds of information about your system. It has a really nice UI, and you can download a portable version so you can run it without installing.
Its made by the same people as CCleaner, website here.
Two or three years later, when it comes time to upgrade your computer, that tag or sticker may be long gone. Speccy was designed as a free electronic 'what's inside' sticker for your PC.
Hope that helps.
Connor WConnor W
boot13boot13
SIW or System Information for Windows provides more info on system, hardware and drivers than I know what to do with so may be what you need.
BrianABrianA
I´m using a little tool called Everest. It isnt free but is has got a trial version and it displays the installed hardware, not the drivers ore something else.
DiskillaDiskilla
Have you tried Start-->Run-->dxdiag? It's an old school directx diagnostic tool, that is installed on most computers..
HornbechHornbech
I use Glary Utilities to check system information.It comes as a free diagnostic tool and it's generally used to keep the computer free of errors and running smoothly through several cleaning methods. But you can also find a 'System Status' menu where you can find all the system information you are looking for, and you can even save a report as a text file ->
It's not a heavy program since you may also find the portable version ->
franz1franz1
protected by DavidPostill♦Dec 22 '15 at 18:01
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Whether you're setting up new computers for your office or creating an inventory of the hardware you already have, you may need to locate the serial number for a video card in order to add that info to your system data. If you purchase an Apple Macintosh computer, you only need one serial number to refer to the entire system, including its graphics adapter. Under Microsoft Windows, you may need to look in several places to find your video card's information.
1.Power down your Windows PC and open the computer case to check its graphics adapter closely. Look for a sticker that contains the serial number. If you're not sure which card you're looking for, check for the port which your monitor cable plugs into, and examine the card that uses that port.
2.Uncable and loosen the video card in the case so you can unplug it from the motherboard and remove it for closer inspection. If you don't find a serial-number sticker, look for a combination of numbers etched into and written on the card.
3.Check the packaging in which you purchased the card, if you bought it separately from the computer. Look for a sticker on the warranty card or the flaps of the box. If you sent in the warranty card, check your files for a photocopy of it.
4.Locate the invoice for your video-card purchase. Some technology vendors list the serial numbers of the items you purchase on the paperwork that documents what you bought.
Tips
- Use a GPU test utility (see Resources) to find out more information about your graphics card's hardware and performance capabilities.
- If you purchased the video card as part of a PC system, contact the company that manufactured your computer and provide information about your purchase, including other serial or invoice numbers, to obtain further details about your graphics adapter.
- Checking video card information through a Properties dialog box in Windows or other system-based means of displaying the card's name may provide inaccurate or incomplete information because it draws the details it reports from the driver software that powers the adapter, not from the card itself.
Warning
- If you remove your video card to look for a serial number, verify that you've reinstalled it correctly before you start your system backup.
References (2)
About the Author
Elizabeth Mott has been a writer since 1983. Mott has extensive experience writing advertising copy for everything from kitchen appliances and financial services to education and tourism. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English from Indiana State University.
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Mott, Elizabeth. 'How to Find a Video Card Serial Number.' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/video-card-serial-number-55463.html. Accessed 14 June 2019.
Mott, Elizabeth. (n.d.). How to Find a Video Card Serial Number. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/video-card-serial-number-55463.html
Mott, Elizabeth. 'How to Find a Video Card Serial Number' accessed June 14, 2019. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/video-card-serial-number-55463.html
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