# CPU-Z

Application: CPUID

Also called cpuz, cpu-z, cpuid cpu-z

CPUID, System

Identifies CPU, motherboard, and RAM. The process is cpuz.exe. It does not overclock. It is not Task Manager.

## What you need to know

CPU-Z identifies the CPU and RAM. It does not overclock.

CPUID's CPU-Z names the processor, board, and memory. Get it from cpuid.com. Task Manager is the live-use window. GPU-Z is the graphics sibling from TechPowerUp, not this exe.

- **What is it?**: A CPU, board, and RAM identifier

  **Does it overclock?**: No. It only reports

  **Same as Task Manager?**: No. Task Manager shows live use

Feex says

If you need the RAM part number, I would open CPU-Z before I guess from Task Manager. I would not move sliders here. There are none.

## What is CPU-Z?

CPU-Z reports processor, board, and memory identity. cpuz.exe is the window. Task Manager shows utilization. CPUID's other tools (HWMonitor) are separate downloads.

## If you have never used it

If you need the exact CPU name, motherboard, or RAM timings, CPU-Z is CPUID's identifier. Download it from cpuid.com. It reads what is installed. It does not change clocks. It is not Task Manager, not GPU-Z, and not an overclock tool.

## What is it used for?

**Read CPU name, cores, and caches**

The CPU tab is identity. Task Manager's Performance tab is live use, not this SPD-style report.

**Read motherboard and BIOS version**

The Mainboard tab names the board. GPU-Z will not tell you the chipset the same way.

**Read RAM size, part numbers, and timings**

The Memory and SPD tabs are why people install this. It still does not overclock those DIMMs.

## Who is it for?

- People buying RAM and needing the current kit's part number
- Anyone who was told "open CPU-Z" in a forum
- Users who should not confuse this with Task Manager or an overclock utility

## Current status

CPU-Z (2000) is a current hardware identifier from CPUID. The vendor still points Windows users at https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html.

## How old is it?

CPU-Z launched in 2000. It is older than GPU-Z (2007) and older than the Windows 8 Task Manager redesign. Current builds still target everyday Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

Setup

ZIP portable

Windows Store listing (if offered)

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, per CPUID's current CPU-Z page    |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more. |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Low. The bench tab is optional and short

  **RAM demand**: Small for an identity tool

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| cpuz.exe | Identification window |
| -------- | --------------------- |

## Startup components

CPU-Z should not start with Windows. Close it when you have the screenshot.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Program Files\CPUID\CPU-Z\\ |
| --------------- | ------------------------------ |

## File formats

TXT and HTML reports from the File menu

## Common problems

### People look for voltage sliders

CPU-Z is read-only identity. Overclocking lives in BIOS or a vendor tool. Task Manager is also not an overclock panel.

### Validation screenshot used as a fake proof

The Validation tab can submit a report. A cropped PNG from a stranger is not CPUID's site.

## Getting unstuck

### Download from cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

Ad-network "CPU-Z Pro" hosts are not CPUID. Task Manager is already on the PC if you only wanted utilization.

### If a tab is blank, run as administrator once

Some board and SPD reads need permission. That is CPU-Z, not a missing GPU-Z install.

### Use GPU-Z or HWiNFO if you wanted GPU clocks and sensors

CPU-Z's graphics tab is thin. TechPowerUp GPU-Z is the GPU identity tool.

## Alternatives

Task Manager for live CPU use. HWiNFO for deeper sensors. GPU-Z for the graphics card. None of those overclock from this window either.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Download      | [www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html ](https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Help          | [www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html ](https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html)Vendor support                    |
| Official site | [www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html ](https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html)Start here, not a random exe host |

## Related hardware

CPU-Z reads the CPU, board, and DIMMs that are already installed. It does not add Feex sensors.

## Technical details

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[HWiNFO: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/hwinfo)[GPU-Z: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/gpu-z)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [CPU-Z official site ](https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html)· Vendor product page
- [CPU-Z help ](https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html)· Vendor support
- [CPUID ](https://www.cpuid.com/)· Vendor home
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: CPUID

  **Category**: Hardware identifier

  **Process**: cpuz.exe

  **License**: Freeware

  **First released**: 2000

  **Official site**: [cpuid.com/cpu-z](https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/cpu-z/)

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