Planning a RAM upgrade or buying a used PC and need to know exactly what's inside? CPU-Z Portable, CPUID's free hardware identifier, shows the processor, motherboard, memory and graphics in a few tabs, straight from a USB stick with nothing to install.
Reading CPU-Z’s component tabs
Tabs split the report into CPU, Caches, Mainboard, Memory, SPD, Graphics and Bench, so each component has its own page.
The CPU tab includes processor specifications, speed, and voltage. The cache tab covers cache information, while the board tab identifies the motherboard manufacturer and BIOS version. Memory details include the memory brand, and the operating-system tab shows Windows and DirectX versions.
Which details help with repairs or upgrades?
Use the component readouts to identify what is installed before replacing a part or investigating a performance issue. Processor specifications and speed can clarify which CPU is present; motherboard and BIOS details can help identify the board; memory information can help confirm the installed RAM.
- Open SPD to see each RAM stick's maker, part number and timings, which is handy for buying a matching module.
- Open the board tab to identify the motherboard manufacturer and BIOS version.
- Look at the operating-system tab for Windows and DirectX version details.
Portable hardware checks
CPU-Z Portable opens as a standalone program, so its report can be viewed without installing the application. This suits quick checks on a PC when the task is to identify components or collect specifications for a repair or upgrade.
The Bench tab runs a quick single- and multi-thread CPU test and compares the score with reference processors. Results can be saved as a report or validated online to share a link with others.
Pros
- Runs without installation and presents system details in one window
- SPD tab shows each RAM stick's part number and timings
- Shows processor speed and voltage alongside technical specifications
- Reports motherboard manufacturer and BIOS version
Cons
- No temperature or fan monitoring
- Reads information only; cannot change settings
System requirements: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11 · 32-bit and 64-bit
Does CPU-Z Portable need to be installed?
No. Unzip it and run the 32-bit or 64-bit executable.
How do I find which RAM to buy?
Open the SPD tab and pick each slot to see the module's maker, part number, size and timings.
Can CPU-Z benchmark my processor?
Yes. The Bench tab runs single- and multi-thread tests and compares the results with other CPUs.