How can I find out what type of chipset I have on my PC motherboard?
How to check what chipset I have on my Windows computer
In this guide we will explain what chipsets are and how they work, and also how to check which chipset you have on your Windows computer. Follow the sections below to get started.
- What is a chipset?
- How to check what chipset I have on my Windows computer
- How to update chipset drivers
What is a chipset?
Chipsets are something that is often heard or seen when talking or shopping for motherboards. Chipsets are essentially the software and hardware communications hub between your motherboard and determine what peripherals are compatible with the motherboard. These peripherals include things like RAM, hard drives, PCI devices, and CPU. Chipsets also determine your future expansion options and if/how much your system can be overclocked. Depending on your application, such as audio production, is a big thing to think about, especially if you want to upgrade your graphics card, RAM, etc.
How to check what chipset I have on my Windows computer
Now that you know what chipsets are and how they work, we’ll show you how to check what chipset you have installed on your Windows PC. You’ll need to find it in Device Manager, so follow these steps to check your chipset.
AMD chipsets — If you have a motherboard with an AMD processor, the AMD chipset may be listed as AMD SMBus.
- Right-click the Windows icon on the toolbar, then click Device Manager.
- Go down to System Devices, expand it, then look for one of the following. If there are multiple listings, look for the one that says Chipset:
- ALI
- AMD
- Intel
- NVidia
- VIA
- SIS
Checking the chipset in Device Manager. This computer has an AMD chipset.
How to update chipset drivers
IMPORTANT: Some motherboard manufacturers have specific installation instructions. Before you install anything, be sure to read their Read Me file or check their website for detailed instructions.
Since chipsets communicate between your motherboard and peripherals like RAM and CPU, it’s always important to keep your chipset drivers up to date. Chipset drivers often go hand in hand with the BIOS and motherboard’s firmware, as chipsets are physically installed on a motherboard. Motherboard manufacturers will release updates which will typically address bug fixes, but also add additional performance features. Updating chipset drivers certainly helps if you just got a new computer, or if you’re experiencing very sluggish performance.
- Once you locate you determine what chipset you have, right-click it, then select Properties.
- In the window that appears, click the Driver tab, and take note of the Driver Date and Driver Version.
- Go to the Motherboard manufacturer’s website and compare the chipset driver currently installed on your computer to the latest one listed on their website.
- If the driver is out of date, download and install the latest version.
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