CPU-Z review (2026): is it any good?
Free Windows tool that lists CPU, mainboard and memory details
CPU-Z report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for reading what CPU, board and memory a Windows PC has
CPU-Z is freeware that reads the processor, mainboard, chipset and memory in a Windows PC, with live frequencies. It mostly reports static data, so temperatures and fans need a separate tool, and the site is paid for by ads.
Who CPU-Z is for
- Fits if you want to check which CPU, board and RAM a Windows PC has
- Works for people who compare memory timings and clock speeds
Who CPU-Z is not for
- Not for you if you want temperatures or fan speeds, which sit in the separate HWMonitor
- Skip it if you use a Mac or Linux machine, as the page lists no version for either
- Too light for ongoing monitoring, since it mostly shows static hardware data
- Watch out: the site runs ads and asks ad-blocker users to consider donating
Why CPU-Z gets a 2.8
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFreeware. The vendor's page lists no paid plans, only an ask for PayPal donations.
- AFree plan and trialFreeware with no cap and no trial clock.
- CFeaturesProcessor, mainboard, memory and live frequencies. It does that job fully, but the pages mostly report static data, and temperature and fan monitoring belong to the vendor's separate HWMonitor.
- BEase of useNo store rating is on record, but it is a program you install and start using with nothing to set up.
- DPlatforms and integrationsWindows only. The page covers the x86/x64 edition and no Mac or Linux version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from CPUID's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/cpu-z#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/cpu-z.svg" alt="CPU-Z: 2.8 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where CPU-Z stands among desktop utilities
CPU-Z's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 116 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 37.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 107 of 186) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
CPU-Z has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 187 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. CPU-Z’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 55 of 186, level with 131
- AFree plan and trialAbove 107 of 186, level with 79
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 186, level with 110
- BEase of useAbove 78 of 186, level with 108
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 186, level with 110
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 desktop utilities. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep CPU-Z, or make your own?
Keep it
CPU-Z is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
What you could make
- Reports: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- Readings from inside the operating system.
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. CPU-Z’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is CPU-Z?
CPU-Z is a freeware Windows utility from CPUID that reads the processor, mainboard, chipset and memory in a PC. It shows names, codenames, cache levels, memory timings and live core and memory frequencies, and it can submit results to CPUID's online validation.
Worth knowing
- Windows only; this page covers the x86/x64 edition and no Mac or Linux version.
- Its detail pages mostly report static hardware data; temperature and fan monitoring are handled by the vendor's separate HWMonitor.
- The site is supported by ads and asks users with ad blockers to consider donating.
Key features
- Processor details
- Reports the processor name and number, codename, process, package and cache levels.
- Mainboard and chipset
- Identifies the mainboard and chipset, with BIOS and motherboard information drawn from DMI data.
- Memory specifications
- Shows memory type, size, timings and module specifications read from SPD.
- Live frequencies
- Measures each core's internal frequency and the memory frequency in real time.
- Validation and custom builds
- Results can be submitted to an online validation list, and the vendor offers custom versions for ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, Cooler Master and ASRock.
CPU-Z pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, CPU-Z is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Freeware; the vendor's page lists no paid plans for CPU-Z.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Freeware | $0 | Installer and zip versions for Windows x86/x64; the page asks for ad-blocker exceptions or PayPal donations. |
Read from cpuid.com on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with CPU-Z before you buy.
CPU-Z alternatives
- CPU-Z vs HWiNFO
Free
- CPU-Z vs Core Temp
Free plan · from $25
- CPU-Z vs iStat Menus
Free trial · from $11.99 one-time
- CPU-Z vs Stats
Free
Common questions
Does CPU-Z have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. CPU-Z is listed for Windows.
Does CPU-Z have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. CPU-Z is listed for Windows.
Is CPU-Z open source?
CPU-Z is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.