On any computing device, the processor, also known as the CPU (Central Processing Unit), is the main chip designed to receive and process instructions and return a result for a particular task. Usually, a modern processor can process a trillion or more instructions per second.
If you have device running Windows 10, the processor will play an essential role on how fast the experience will be, and it’ll probably be from one of the two main manufacturers, including Intel or AMD (one can even argue a third player if you count Qualcomm with their ARM processors).
If you want to understand exactly the processor you have on your laptop, there are multiple ways to find out this information, but the easiest methods for the average user is to use the Settings app and Task Manager.
In this guide, you’ll learn two easy ways to determine the processor brand and model installed in your laptop running Windows 10.
- How to find out processor details using Settings
- How to find out processor details using Task Manager
How to find out processor details using Settings
To determine the CPU installed on your computer, use these steps:
-
Open Settings.
-
Click on System.
-
Click on About.
-
Under the “Device specifications” section, confirm the processor brand and model.
Windows 10 About settings processor details
Once you complete the steps, you’ll have a better understanding whether your device is using a processor from Intel, AMD, or Qualcomm.
How to find out processor details using Task Manager
To check the processor information using Task Manager, use these steps:
-
Open Start.
-
Search for Task Manager and click top result to open the app.
-
Click the Performance tab.
-
Click on CPU.
-
Confirm the processor information on the top-right corner.
Task Manager CPU brand and model details
After you complete the steps, you’ll know the brand and model of the CPU installed on your laptop.
In this example, the processor brand is from AMD, and the model is the 2950X.
Although this guide focuses on laptops, you can use the same instructions to determine the processor details on any computer running Windows 10.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.