To check your graphics card in Windows 10, right-click Start, select Device Manager, and expand Display adapters. The name listed there is your GPU. For its memory and driver details, open Task Manager > Performance > GPU, or run dxdiag.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.
Check the GPU in Device Manager
- Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
- Select the arrow next to Display adapters.
- Your graphics card is listed there. A laptop with two GPUs shows both, usually a built-in one and a faster separate one.
If you see Microsoft Basic Display Adapter, Windows is using a generic driver. Install the driver from your PC or graphics card maker for full performance.
See GPU memory and the driver in DxDiag
- Press Windows logo key + R, type
dxdiag, and press Enter. - Select the Display tab (Display 1 and Display 2 on PCs with two GPUs).
- Check Name, Manufacturer, Display Memory (VRAM), and the Drivers section.
Check it in Task Manager
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select Performance, and select GPU. The card name is in the top-right corner, with Dedicated GPU memory and the Driver version below the graphs.
Other ways to check
- PowerShell: run Get-CimInstance Win32_VideoController | Select-Object Name, DriverVersion to list each graphics card and its driver version.
- System Information: press Windows logo key + R, type msinfo32, and go to Components > Display. It shows the card name and driver details, though its memory figure can be wrong on cards with more than 4 GB.
- The maker’s app: NVIDIA App, AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition, or Intel Graphics Command Center show the exact model and offer driver updates.
If your graphics card doesn’t show up correctly
- There’s no GPU section in Task Manager. Task Manager only shows it for graphics drivers built for Windows 10. Update the driver from the card maker.
- The card has a yellow warning icon. Right-click it in Device Manager, select Uninstall device, restart, and install the newest driver.
- Only built-in graphics appear on a desktop with a graphics card. Make sure the monitor cable is plugged into the graphics card’s ports, not the ones on the motherboard. If the card still doesn’t appear, check that it’s seated firmly and its power cables are connected.
- A laptop only shows one GPU. Many laptops only have built-in graphics. Check the model’s specs on the maker’s website.
Frequently asked questions
How do I update my graphics driver?
Use Windows Update, or download the driver from the graphics card or PC maker. See how to update all drivers on Windows 10.
How much graphics memory do I have?
Display Memory (VRAM) in DxDiag, or Dedicated GPU memory in Task Manager, shows the card’s own memory. Built-in graphics share your PC’s RAM instead.
How do I see my other specs?
See how to check your PC specs in Windows 10.
Is my graphics card good enough for a game?
Find the game’s minimum and recommended requirements on its store page and compare them with your card’s name. A card at or above the recommended one will run the game well at normal settings.
How do I see how hard my GPU is working?
Open Task Manager, select Performance, and select GPU. The graphs show how busy the card is. On the Processes tab, add the GPU column to see which apps use it most.
Can I upgrade a laptop’s graphics card?
Usually not. Most laptop graphics chips are built into the main board. An external graphics enclosure is an option on some laptops with Thunderbolt ports.
If your screen goes black after a driver update, see how to fix a black screen in Windows 10.
Once you know your graphics card, see how to update graphics drivers in Windows 10.
To see which DirectX version Windows has, see how to check your DirectX version in Windows 10.
To see which driver your graphics card is using, see how to check your graphics driver version in Windows 10.
On Windows 11, you can also check how much VRAM your graphics card has.
Microsoft’s guide is Microsoft basic display adapter in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: how to turn hardware acceleration on or off in Windows 10.
Related: how to roll back NVIDIA drivers on Windows 10.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.