How to Check Your Computer Generation and Processor Type

Understanding your computer’s generation and processor type is essential for assessing its capabilities, compatibility with software, or planning an upgrade. This guide will help you know the processor type on your laptop or desktop. We shall also go deep to know the generation of the processor on your PC.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to identify this information on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.

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What Are Processor Generations and Types?

• Processor Generation: Refers to the version or iteration of a processor series, typically denoted by the first digit in the processor model number (e.g., Intel Core i7-8700 is an 8th-generation processor).
• Processor Type: Indicates the specific model and architecture of the CPU, such as Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 7.

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Method 1: Checking on Windows

Using System Information

1. Open System Information:
   • Press Win + S and type System Information.
   • Click on the result to open the tool.
2. Find Processor Details:
   • Look for the Processor entry in the System Summary section.
   • Example: “Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8700 CPU @ 3.20GHz” indicates an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor.

Using Task Manager

1. Open Task Manager:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. View CPU Details:
   • Navigate to the Performance tab and select CPU.
   • The processor type and speed will be displayed at the top right.

Using Command Prompt

1. Launch Command Prompt:
   • Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. Run the Command:
   • Type wmic cpu get name and press Enter.
   • The output will display the processor type.

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Method 2: Checking on macOS

Using About This Mac

1. Access System Information:
   • Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
   • Select About This Mac.
2. View Processor Details:
   • In the Overview tab, find the Processor entry.
   • Example: “2.6 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7” indicates an Intel Core i7 processor with six cores.

Using Terminal

1. Open Terminal:
   • Press Cmd + Space, type Terminal, and press Enter.
2. Run the Command:
   • Type sysctl -n machdep.cpu.brand_string and press Enter.
   • The output will display detailed processor information.

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Method 3: Checking on Linux

Using the Terminal

1. Open Terminal:
   • Press Ctrl + Alt + T or search for Terminal in your applications menu.
2. Run the Command:
   • Type lscpu and press Enter.
   • Look for entries like Model name, which will display the processor type and speed.

Using /proc/cpuinfo

1. Open Terminal:
   • Launch the Terminal application.
2. View CPU Information:
   • Type cat /proc/cpuinfo and press Enter.
   • Search for model name in the output for details about the processor.

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Decoding Processor Information

Intel Processors

• The first digit of the processor number often represents the generation.
  • Example: Intel Core i7-9700 is a 9th-generation processor.
• Suffixes indicate specific features:
  • “K”: Unlocked for overclocking
  • “U”: Ultra-low power
  • “H”: High-performance graphics

AMD Processors

• Ryzen processors are labeled with a similar scheme:
  • Example: Ryzen 7 5800X:
    • “5” indicates the generation.
    • “800” represents performance tier.
    • “X” denotes high performance.

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Additional Tips

1. Update Drivers and Firmware:
   • Ensure your BIOS/UEFI firmware is up to date to unlock full CPU capabilities.
2. Use Dedicated Software:
   • Tools like CPU-Z (Windows) or Geekbench (cross-platform) provide in-depth CPU details.

By following these methods, you can easily determine your computer’s processor generation and type, enabling informed decisions about software compatibility or hardware upgrades.