HOW TO FIND OUT WHAT KIND OF HARDWARE YOU HAVE WITHOUT OPENING YOUR COMPUTER'S CASE
Here is a tutorial on how to find out some information that is very useful when upgrading or troubleshooting your computer
The first section is the steps needed to find out what hardware you have and will give a list of things to include when asking for advice about your computer.
The second section will list the steps to use DirectX Diagnostic Tool to determine your type of Video Card
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Section 1: Obtaining and using CPU-Z to gather system information Section 1a: Obtaining and using CPU-Z
1) Go and download
CPU-Z.
2) After downloading CPU-Z extract the contents of the .zip file, and put the extracted files where you can easily access them.
3) Double-click the cpuz.exe file.
4) Now that CPU-Z is open, you can click on each tab to find out specific information about your computer.
Section 1b: What to list when asking for advice
In the following section list the information that pertains to your query. For example, if you are upgrading your CPU, list the relevant information from the CPU Tab.
CPU Tab:
Processor Specification
Processor Code Name
Core Speed
FSB
Bus Speed
Mainboard Tab:
Motherboard Manufacturer
Motherboard Model
Graphic Interface Version
Graphic Interface Transfer Rate
Memory Tab:
Type
Size
Frequency
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Section 2: Using DirectX Diagnostic Tool to determine your type of Video Card
The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will give you information about you video and audio equipment and their drivers.
Section 2a: Opening the DirectX Diagnostic Tool
1)Click the
Start button.
2)Click the
Run... button from the Start Menu.
3)Type
dxdiag in the text box.
Section 2b: Finding relevant information from the DirectX Diagnostic Tool
In the following section list the information that pertains to your query.
System Tab:
DirectX Version
Display Tab:
Device Name
Device Chip Type
Device Approx. Total Memory
Drivers Main Driver
Drivers Version
Hope that helps