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Windows · Windows Utilities

CPU-Z for Windows

Free Windows utility that identifies detailed CPU, motherboard, memory, and system information for diagnostics, upgrades, and validation reports.

Updated August 9, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation

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Overview

CPU-Z, from CPUID, is a free diagnostic utility that reads and displays detailed information about a PC's processor, motherboard, memory modules, and graphics, without requiring a benchmark run or admin-heavy configuration. It has been a long-standing reference tool for identifying exact hardware specifications.

Its tabs cover processor details (core architecture, cache sizes, instruction sets, clock speeds), mainboard and chipset identification, installed memory modules with timings, and a basic graphics card tab, along with a Validation feature that generates a shareable report of a system's specs.

It is commonly used before a hardware upgrade to confirm exactly what is currently installed, when troubleshooting whether a CPU or RAM is running at its rated speed, or when verifying claimed specifications on a used or pre-built PC.

CPU-Z focuses specifically on identification rather than temperature monitoring or benchmarking — for temperatures and fan speeds, a tool like HWiNFO or HWMonitor covers that ground; for benchmarking, CPUID also publishes a separate tool.

Key features

  • Detailed CPU tab: architecture, cache sizes, instruction sets, and real-time clock speed
  • Motherboard and chipset identification
  • Memory tab showing installed modules, timings, and frequency
  • Basic graphics card identification tab
  • Validation feature to generate a shareable specs report
  • Portable build that runs without installation

System requirements

Operating system
Windows 11 and Windows 10 (older Windows releases also supported)
Architecture
x64 or x86 build; a portable ZIP build is also offered

How to install CPU-Z

  1. 1. Download from CPUID

    Open cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html and choose the installer or the portable ZIP build.

  2. 2. Install or unzip

    Run the installer, watching each screen for optional offers, or extract the portable build to skip installation entirely.

  3. 3. Launch CPU-Z

    Open the program; it reads hardware information automatically without needing configuration.

How to use it

  1. 1. Check your CPU's real clock speed

    Open the CPU tab and watch the Core Speed value update in real time to see actual operating frequency versus the rated base speed.

  2. 2. Verify RAM timings

    Open the Memory and SPD tabs to confirm installed capacity, frequency, and timings match what you expect from your kit.

  3. 3. Generate a validation report

    Click Validate to upload your system's specs to CPUID's site and get a shareable link, useful when asking for help or listing a PC for sale.

Safety and privacy

  • We link only to CPUID's own cpuid.com download page, the official distribution channel.
  • CPUID also distributes CPU-Z via the Microsoft Store as an alternate official channel.
Bundled software
Watch the installer screens carefully; download portals for CPU-Z have historically wrapped installers with extra offers, so prefer the official site or Microsoft Store, and consider the portable ZIP to avoid an installer entirely.
Privacy
Runs locally; the optional Validation feature uploads your system's reported specs to CPUID's website to generate a shareable report link.

Known risks

  • As with any hardware-identification tool, only trust copies from cpuid.com or the Microsoft Store; third-party download sites are a common source of repackaged installers for this program specifically.

What's new

  • 2.xx series

    CPUID publishes frequent small updates to add support for newer CPU and chipset models. Check cpuid.com for the current version before downloading.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Free with no paid tier
  • Detailed, accurate hardware identification across CPU, board, and memory
  • Portable build available
  • Widely trusted, long-standing reference tool

Cons

  • No temperature or fan-speed monitoring — identification only
  • Interface is functional rather than modern
  • Third-party download sites for this program have a history of bundling, so the source matters

Verdict

CPU-Z remains the standard quick-reference tool for identifying exactly what CPU, motherboard, and memory are installed in a Windows PC. Pair it with a monitoring tool like HWiNFO if you also need temperatures and fan speeds.

Frequently asked questions

Is CPU-Z free?

Yes, it is free for personal and commercial use.

Does CPU-Z show temperatures?

No, CPU-Z focuses on hardware identification, not temperature monitoring. Use HWMonitor or HWiNFO for temperatures and fan speeds.

What is CPU-Z Validation?

It is a feature that uploads your detected specs to CPUID's site and generates a shareable report link, often used to prove a system's specifications online.