In Windows, how do I verify my computer's CPU speed?

CPU speed indicates the number of instructions per second the CPU (central processing unit) can process. This speed is typically given in hertz (Hz). To check your computer's CPU speed in Windows, follow the appropriate steps below.

Windows Vista

To check the CPU speed, click Start. In the search box, enter msinfo32 .

Your computer's CPU speed will appear in the processor description. For instance, in "x86 Family 15 Model 1 Stepping 2 GenuineIntel ~1495 Mhz", the CPU speed is 1495MHz (i.e., 1.495GHz).

Windows NT, Me, 2000, or XP

To check the CPU speed, from the Start menu, select Run... , and then enter msinfo32 .

Your computer's CPU speed will appear in the processor description. For instance, in "x86 Family 15 Model 1 Stepping 2 GenuineIntel ~1495 Mhz", the CPU speed is 1495MHz (i.e., 1.495GHz).

Windows 98

1. Click Start and select Programs, then Accessories, and then System Tools. Then click System Information.
   
   
2. From the Tools menu, select Windows Report Tool.
   
   
3. From the Options menu, select Collected Information. The CPU speed is displayed under "System settings to copy", for example, "COMPSPEED=455Mhz".
   
   
4. Click OK to close this window, and Cancel to close the Windows Report Tool.

Windows 95

To view the processor speed in Windows 95, you will need a third-party utility such as Wcpuid. You can find this utility on the web by using a search engine such as Google.

This information is adapted from Microsoft's knowledge base article 230608.

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Also see:

• Why do I need to keep my computer cool?