ID My Machine
To Find Your Memory or Drives – Identify your Computer Make and Model
First pick your machine and follow the instructions
Identifying a Macintosh (Mac)
Apple doesn’t include a model label on its devices, but you can easily find the model and other key details by following these steps:
Apple Menu:
- Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select “About This Mac…”.
- This window will display the model name, year of release, CPU type, and the amount and speed of installed memory.
System Information:
- For more detailed information, click on “System Report” or “More Information…” under the Hardware tab. This will give you the machine’s MacintoshID (e.g., iMac17,1 or MacBookPro9,2) and the exact sizes of the RAM modules installed under the Memory tab.
Macintosh ID:
- The MacintoshID is the most reliable way to identify the hardware and expandability of your Mac. Occasionally, the CPU type will also be important, as it can influence compatibility and upgrades.
Year of Release vs. Purchase Year:
- The year displayed in the “About This Mac” window refers to when Apple released the model, not the year you purchased it. Be aware that there can be variations between Early, Mid, and Late models of the same year, and different screen sizes within a given year. Therefore, the definitive model information is the MacintoshID, along with the model and year.
Chassis vs. Hardware Identification:
- The A#### number printed on the bottom of MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro laptops refers to the chassis and is not definitive for identifying the motherboard or RAM. However, if you are ordering a replacement battery, the A#### number printed on the battery itself is useful for identification.
Identifying PC and Laptop Make and Model
For most PCs and laptops, you can find the make and model information on a label located on:
- The back or side panel of a desktop.
- The bottom of a laptop.
- Inside the battery compartment (for some laptops).
If the label is missing or illegible, software tools can help identify the system:
- Speccy (by Piriform) or CPU-Z (by CPU-ID) can generate a report showing the motherboard details, as well as the installed RAM type, speed, and capacity.
Alternatively, you can use the Command Prompt:
- Open the Command Prompt by typing cmd into the search bar or by navigating to:
Start Menu > Windows System > Command Prompt. - Once the Command Prompt is open, type the following command (without quotes):
“wmic csproduct get name” - Press Enter.
The result will display the machine’s model, such as:
Name
HP ProBook 450 G6
Identifying Dell Machine Model and Specifications
Every Dell machine has a Service Tag, which can be used to access detailed information on Dell’s Support site. By entering the Service Tag, you can:
- Look up the machine’s model number.
- View the original configuration as manufactured.
- Access user manuals and support resources.
Additionally, tools like Speccy or CPU-Z can provide information about the currently installed RAM, including its type and size.
Identifying Lenovo Machine Model and Specifications
For Lenovo machines, the model name (e.g., ThinkPad 560p) may sometimes be sufficient. However, more specific information is often required.
Look for the Type Number, typically formatted as:
- 1234-ABC (four digits followed by a three-character extension)
- 20AAAAAA## (two digits followed by an alphanumeric string)
Alternatively, you can:
- Use Lenovo Vantage to look up the model and serial number.
- Run Speccy or CPU-Z for detailed hardware information.
Identifying the Make and Model for Sony and Toshiba Laptops
Check the Laptop’s Label:
- Bottom Panel: Both Sony and Toshiba laptops typically have a label on the bottom that displays the model number and other details (e.g., Sony VAIO SVF15218CXS or Toshiba Satellite C55-B5264).
- Battery Compartment: For some models, the make and model number can also be found inside the battery compartment.
Visit the Manufacturer’s Support Website:
- For Sony, you can use the Serial Number or Service Tag to find your laptop model on Sony’s support website.
- For Toshiba, enter the Serial Number or Model Number on Toshiba’s support page to get more details.
Use System Information Software:
- If the label is illegible or missing, software tools like Speccy or CPU-Z can provide detailed information about the make and model of both Sony and Toshiba laptops.
Identifying Servers and Workstations (Any Brand)
Servers and workstations, regardless of brand, often come with multiple configurations, processor options, and hardware variations. As a result, the model number alone may not provide enough information to accurately determine the system’s specifications or compatibility. To ensure you’re selecting the correct components or upgrading the system, it’s essential to gather more detailed information.
In these cases, it’s best to refer to the original purchase documentation (if available), which often lists the exact configuration of the system. Alternatively, you can use tools like Speccy or CPU-Z to generate a comprehensive report of the system’s specifications, including the motherboard, RAM, CPU, and more. These reports can provide additional details that are necessary for making accurate upgrades or repairs.
Key Information to Gather:
RAM Speed:
The speed of the currently installed RAM is crucial because mismatched speeds can lead to system instability or performance bottlenecks. For example, if you’re upgrading the memory, it’s important that the new RAM matches the existing RAM’s speed to avoid compatibility issues. Speccy or CPU-Z can help you identify this information.
RAM Type:
There are different types of RAM used in servers and workstations, and ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory is commonly found in these systems to provide higher reliability. Understanding the specific RAM type is crucial, as these types cannot be mixed. The main types of ECC RAM include:
- ECC Unbuffered: Typically used in lower-end systems and desktop applications.
- ECC Registered: Commonly found in servers and workstations to support higher capacities and maintain stability under heavy workloads.
- Load Reduced (LRDIMM): A specialized type of ECC memory designed for very high-capacity systems with improved signal integrity.
These types of RAM are not interchangeable, so knowing the current type in use will help you select compatible upgrades.
CPU Model:
The specific model of the CPU is critical for determining the system’s processing power, compatibility with other components, and its potential for upgrades. Servers and workstations often support different processor families (e.g., Intel Xeon, AMD EPYC), so identifying the exact model will help ensure you get the correct parts when upgrading or replacing the CPU.
Number of CPUs:
Some workstations and servers are designed to accommodate more than one CPU. Knowing whether the system has one or two CPUs installed can significantly impact upgrade options, as the motherboard and other components need to support multiple processors. Additionally, systems with two CPUs can offer much higher processing power and may require specific types of cooling and memory configurations.
By gathering this information, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the system’s current capabilities and limitations. This will enable you to make informed decisions about hardware upgrades, maintenance, and compatibility, ensuring optimal performance and stability for your server or workstation.
Identifying RAM for Unbranded or Custom-Built Machines
For whitebox systems and boutique brands, the motherboard’s make and model are crucial for determining the correct RAM compatibility.
If the machine lacks a recognizable brand or model, the motherboard becomes the primary identifier. In desktop systems, you can usually find the motherboard’s make and model by shutting down the machine, opening the case, and looking for the silkscreened text directly on the motherboard. The model number is typically the most prominent marking.
If opening the case is not an option, software tools like Speccy or CPU-Z can usually detect the motherboard’s make and model. We will also need details about the speed and capacity of the currently installed RAM.
For unbranded laptops, identifying the motherboard can be more difficult. In such cases, a photo of the existing RAM, along with data from Speccy or CPU-Z, may be required if the model details aren’t readily available.
For Macintoshes
Apple doesn’t have a label with model identification on the machine. You can get information about the machine by going to the Apple menu and choosing “About this Macintosh…” The first screen will give you the model and the year, the CPU type, plus the amount and speed of the memory installed. If you select the “System Report” or “More Information…” button under the Hardware tab you can find the machine’s MacintoshID number, such as iMac17,1 or MacBookPro9,2 and under Memory Tab the actual sizes of the RAM modules installed
The MacintoshID number is usually definitive for identifying the hardware of the machine and its expandability. Once in a while we will also need the CPU type as it makes a difference in a couple of machines
Keep in mind that the year of the machine is not the year you purchased it, it is the year that Apple released the model. There can be differences between Early-, Mid- and Late- models of a given year, and differences between screen sizes in a given year, so the definitive is the MacintoshID plus the model and year.
Note that the A#### number printed in tiny type on the bottom of a MacBook / Air / Pro laptop is a chassis number and is not definitive for the motherboard and RAM contained in the machine. If you are ordering a battery however, the A#### that is printed on the battery itself is good information.
For PC’s and Laptops
Depending on your machine, you may be able to find the make and model information from the label on the back panel, side panel or bottom of the machine, or sometimes inside the battery compartment of a laptop. If this label is not legible, then you can use some software to identify the machine.
The free utilities Speccy from Piriform or CPU-Z from CPU-ID will give you a report of the motherboard, including the amount and speed of the memory installed.
Or you can open the command prompt by running cmd, opening the Command prompt from Start: Windows System: Command Prompt, or searching for Command Prompt with the search box beside the Start Menu
Once you have the Command Prompt (>) open type the following (without the quotation marks)
“wmic csproduct get name”
And Click Enter. The Result will be something like:
>Name
>HP ProBook 450 G6
For Dell machines
Each Dell machine has a Service Tag, which can be looked up here on Dell’s Support site. This should get you to a page where you can look up the model number of the machine, the original configuration of the machine as manufactured, and also access user manuals.
Usually Speccy or CPU-Z will report the type and size of the currently installed RAM.
For Lenovo machines
Sometimes the model name is enough (Thinkpad 560p) but sometimes you need more specific information. There is a Type number on all Lenovos in the form of a number and a character extension 1234-ABC or 2 numbers followed by an alphanumeric string 20AAAAAA##
Or you can use the Lenovo Vantage software program to look up the model and serial or use Speccy or CPU-Z (see #7 below)
For Sony and Toshiba laptops
There are often two model numbers for each machine, please search in our menu or contact us if you cannot find it.
SERVERS and WorkStation of ANY brand
A given model of machine can have multiple different configurations and processors, so sometimes the model number alone isn’t enough. In these cases it is best to refer to the original purchase documentation, or to get a report from Speccy or CPU-Z in additional to make and model. We will want to know the speed of the RAM currently installed and whether it is ECC Unbuffered, ECC Registered, or Load Reduced (as these types cannot be mixed). As well, the model of CPU it has, and whether there is one or two CPUs installed, can be significant.
For unbranded parts-built machines
These are whitebox machines and boutique brands, the Motherboard make and model is what we need to identify
If the machine doesnt have a major brand make and model, then the motherboard is the identifying part that will determine the RAM needed. You can often read the motherboard make and model of a desktop machine by shutting it down, opening the case, and reading the silkscreened lettering on the face of the motherboard. The model is usually the largest letters.
Or if you don’t want to open the machine, usually Speccy or CPU-Z will report the motherboard make and model. Again, we will want to know the speed and capacity of the currently installed RAM.
For unbranded laptop machines, this can be more difficult, we may need to see a photo of the existing RAM as well as the Speccy or CPU-Z data if the model information is not available