If you’re in the market for a new motherboard and intend on adding it to your current computer system, you should take a moment to determine the model of the motherboard you are looking to replace.
Fail to identify your current motherboard and you may very well end up purchasing a model which is not compatible with your system. There are a number of methods through which you can identify your current motherboard and we’re going to be guiding you through each in this article.
How to Identify Your Motherboard Using Windows
If you are a Windows user, identifying your motherboard is actually pretty straightforward and requires little beyond following a set of instructions. However, these instructions will vary depending on what version of Windows you are using.
Windows 8 and 10
If you are using a more recent edition of Windows, such as Windows 8 or Windows 10, you can identify your system’s motherboard by following the below steps.
- While looking at your desktop home screen, press the Windows logo key along with the X button. This will open the Power User Task menu.
- When you summon the Power User Task menu, you will be presented with a number of options. From these options, choose Run.
- After clicking on Run, you will see a text field. Into this text field type “msinfo32” before hitting Enter. This should bring up the model of your system’s motherboard, although it may be described as the “BaseBoard” instead.
Windows 7
If you are using a less recent version of Windows – Windows 7 or older – you’ll have to follow a different process to find your motherboard model. This process is actually a little easier than the aforementioned one and is outlined below.
- Open the Start menu and click on the All Programs option.
- From here, click on Accessories and, subsequently, System Tools. Once you have done this you will see the option for System Information. Click on this and you will find your motherboard model listed under System Summary.
How to Identify Your Motherboard Using a Mac
If you are an Apple devotee, the process of identifying your motherboard will be a little different than it is for Windows lovers. Below, you will find the steps to follow when attempting to identify your Mac motherboard.
- Click on the Apple logo which rests in the top left corner of your screen. This will bring up a list of options, including About This Mac, which you should select.
- After clicking on About This Mac, you will be presented with an array of information about your computer, including its serial number, which you should take note of.
- Open Safari and type your Mac’s serial number into Google, this will bring you to a list of devices produced by Apple and the corresponding motherboard of each.
How to Identify Your Motherboard Using Documentation
Documentation refers to any material that provides information regarding the computer with which it was packaged. Documentation can come in the form of a user’s manual, a CD, or downloadable PDFs, so it’s safe to say you have some sort of access to your computer’s essential information even if you threw away the various manuals which came included with it.
Listed in your system’s documentation you will find information on its factory-installed motherboard, including its manufacturer, form factor, and model number. Unlike identifying your motherboard through Windows or Mac, identifying your motherboard using documentation can be a little tedious, so we recommend exhausting the methods of identification outlined above before pursuing documentation.
How to Identify Your Motherboard Visually
If, for whatever reason, you are unable to identify your system’s current motherboard through the aforementioned methods, you can always attempt to do so visually. Now to visually identify your motherboard it may be necessary to remove it from your system unit, but if you were planning on replacing your motherboard anyway this likely won’t be too much of an issue.
When examining your motherboard, search around its memory slots, where you will likely find its name and manufacturer documented in silk screen printing.
Conclusion
If you have no prior experience with motherboards, identifying your current model may seem a little intimidating. Thankfully, it is far from an impossible task. By following the various procedures outlined above, you should be able to determine the model and manufacturer of your current motherboard, which will give you everything you need to know to replace it with a newer edition, opening the door to a whole new world of gaming possibilities.
