We are Dave's Computers, and every upgrade question, every "can my PC run this game" question, and half the calls our Somerville shop takes start the same way: what are the specs? Windows will tell you everything, once you know where to look. This guide covers every built-in tool, what each number means, and how to turn specs into a decision instead of trivia.
Windows ships with everything you need. Work through these in order of how much detail you want, on Windows 10 or 11.
Press Windows + I, click System, then scroll to About. Device specifications lists your processor and installed RAM, and Windows specifications shows your edition and version. Editorial guides from Tom's Guide walk this same path, and it works nearly identically on Windows 10 and 11.
Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. System Information reports the motherboard model, BIOS version, and a complete hardware rundown, the level of detail Windows Central recommends when you need everything on one screen.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and open the Performance tab. Memory shows how much RAM you have, its speed, and critically, how many slots are in use. CPU and GPU panels show live utilization, and each drive is labeled SSD or HDD.
Press Windows + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter. The Display tab names your exact graphics card and its video memory, the two numbers that matter most for gaming questions.
| You Want to Know | Open This | Where to Look |
|---|---|---|
| Processor and total RAM | Settings (Windows + I) | System → About → Device specifications |
| Motherboard and BIOS version | msinfo32 (Windows + R) | System Summary |
| RAM speed and slots used | Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) | Performance → Memory |
| SSD or hard drive | Task Manager | Performance → each disk is labeled |
| Graphics card and VRAM | dxdiag (Windows + R) | Display tab |
| Windows edition and version | Settings | System → About → Windows specifications |
Specs are only useful if they connect to what you feel at the keyboard. Here is the translation.
Now the specs earn their keep. Every game publishes minimum and recommended requirements. Here is how to compare honestly.
Pull up the requirements for the game, then set your dxdiag and Settings numbers next to them: processor, graphics card, RAM, and storage space. Compare against the recommended list, not the minimum, because minimum usually means "technically launches." Whichever of your specs falls short of recommended is your upgrade target, no guesswork required.
Specs turn symptoms into a shopping list. Match what you feel to what you found.
| What You Feel | What the Specs Show | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Everything is slow: boot, apps, saving | System drive labeled HDD, or a bargain SSD | SSD upgrade with your files migrated |
| Stutter with browser tabs and games open | 8GB RAM, or one stick in single channel | RAM upgrade to a dual-channel kit |
| Low frame rates in games | Older graphics card, low VRAM | Graphics card upgrade, power supply checked first |
| Random crashes and blue screens | Specs look fine on paper | Memory health test before any spending |
| Fast once, slow now, fans loud | Same specs as the day you bought it | Thermal service: heat, not hardware, is the thief |
⚡ Specs in hand and still not sure what they add up to? Bring the machine to the bench. Our $75 diagnostic turns the numbers into a plan, and the fee is credited toward any repair.
📞 Call (908) 428-9558Walk-in welcome · No appointment needed · 75 N Bridge St, Somerville NJ
Reading the numbers is free. Knowing what they mean for your machine and your money is the service.
The $75 bench diagnostic connects your specs to the symptom and names the one part worth spending on, credited toward the work.
If your specs are fine and the fix is a setting, we say so. If nothing is worth fixing, we say that too.
Most diagnostics and single-part upgrades turn around in days at our Somerville bench, with your data untouched.
Desktops, laptops, prebuilts, customs: the same four Windows tools apply, and the same bench handles them all.
Nothing ships anywhere. The machine stays at 75 N Bridge St with the same people start to finish.
400+ Google reviews at 4.9 stars from central NJ customers who got straight answers about their machines.
The specs questions we answer most at the Somerville counter.
Press Windows + I, choose System, then About for your processor, RAM, and Windows version. For the complete inventory, press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
Press Windows + R, type dxdiag, press Enter, and open the Display tab. Your card name and video memory are listed at the top.
Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select the Performance tab, then Memory. The slots used line tells the story: two or more sticks in matched pairs run in dual channel, one stick does not.
Compare your processor, graphics card, and RAM against the recommended requirements the game publishes. Meeting only the minimum usually delivers a rough experience, and the spec that misses recommended is your upgrade target.
System Information, the built in Windows tool that lists your motherboard, BIOS version, processor, memory, and more on one screen. Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter to open it.
You cannot from inside Windows, but the hardware still tells the story. We pull drive, memory, and board details on the bench as part of the $75 diagnostic, which is credited toward any repair.
One location, drop-off for residential customers. Dave's Computers is at 75 N Bridge St, Somerville NJ 08876. All diagnostics and repairs are performed at our Somerville shop, and we do not offer in-home residential service. On-site arrangements are available for business clients. Curbside drop-off is available.
Bring the machine, or just bring the numbers. We will read them with you, name the bottleneck, and quote the exact fix.
📞 (908) 428-9558