The CPU-Z Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about CPU-Z in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
CPU-Z
The Insider’s Guide
Free Windows tool that lists CPU, mainboard and memory details
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from CPU-Z’s own pages.
Made by CPUID · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from CPU-Z’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on CPU-Z’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 116 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about CPU-Z, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It mostly reports static data, so temperatures and fans need a separate tool, and the site is paid for by ads.
- 1
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.
- 2
It is free
CPU-Z has no paid plan at all. Freeware; the vendor's page lists no paid plans for CPU-Z.
- 3
It runs on Windows
Windows.
- 4
Processor details
Reports the processor name and number, codename, process, package and cache levels.
- 5
Mainboard and chipset
Identifies the mainboard and chipset, with BIOS and motherboard information drawn from DMI data.
- 6
Memory specifications
Shows memory type, size, timings and module specifications read from SPD.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 116 of 186
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
CPU-Z is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
CPU-Z at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Windows
- Made by
- CPUID
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
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.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Freeware. The vendor's page lists no paid plans, only an ask for PayPal donations. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Freeware with no cap and no trial clock. |
| Features | C | Processor, 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. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating is on record, but it is a program you install and start using with nothing to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Windows only. The page covers the x86/x64 edition and no Mac or Linux version. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
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 it 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
Good to know
Good for
- Identifying exactly which CPU, board and RAM a PC has
- Checking memory timings and module specifications
- Enthusiasts who post validation results
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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
CPU-Z is free to use.
The vendor's page lists no paid plans, only an ask for PayPal donations.
Freeware
$0
Installer and zip versions for Windows x86/x64; the page asks for ad-blocker exceptions or PayPal donations.
The free plan
Freeware; the vendor's page lists no paid plans for CPU-Z.
Read from cpuid.com on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Windows
Free Windows tool that lists CPU, mainboard and memory details. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: reports, system monitor.
Processor, mainboard, memory and live frequencies.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Windows
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
CPU-Z is made by CPUID.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
116/186
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
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
- AFree plan and trialAbove 107 of 186
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 186
- BEase of useAbove 78 of 186
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 186
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 desktop utilities. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. CPU-Z is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
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.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
HWiNFO, Core Temp, SpeedFan, iStat Menus and Stats
The 5 tools CPU-Z is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.0GPA
HWiNFO
Free
- 2.8GPA
Core Temp
Free plan · from $25
- 2.6GPA
SpeedFan
Free
Free Windows monitor for temperatures, fan speeds and voltages.
- CPU-Z also covers reports.
- SpeedFan also covers workflow automation.
- 2.4GPA
iStat Menus
Free trial · from $11.99 one-time
System monitor that lives in the Mac menu bar.
- CPU-Z has a free plan. iStat Menus does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only CPU-Z lists a Windows app.
- Only iStat Menus lists a macOS app.
- 2.8GPA
Stats
Free
Free, open-source system monitor for the Mac menu bar.
- Only CPU-Z lists a Windows app.
- Only Stats lists a macOS app.
- Stats is open source, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is CPU-Z free?
Yes. CPU-Z is free to use.
How much does CPU-Z cost?
CPU-Z lists one plan. Freeware: $0.
What platforms does CPU-Z work on?
CPU-Z is available on Windows.
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.
Who makes CPU-Z?
CPU-Z is made by CPUID.
What are the alternatives to CPU-Z?
The closest alternatives to CPU-Z in our directory are HWiNFO, Core Temp, SpeedFan, iStat Menus and Stats.
How does CPU-Z compare with other 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.
Is CPU-Z good value for money?
ToolGPA grades CPU-Z A for value for money. CPU-Z has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of CPU-Z?
CPU-Z is free, so making your own would save you nothing. What you could not make: Readings from inside the operating system.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from CPU-Z’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. 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.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by CPUID. Prices change, so check cpuid.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- CPU-Z, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/cpu-z
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "CPU-Z: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/cpu-z
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/cpu-z/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded desktop utilities after CPU-Z, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Desktop Utilities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 187 desktop utilities we grade, compared
- Just Color Picker Insider's GuideFree portable color picker and editor for Windows and macOS3.2 GPA
- LocalSend Insider's GuideOpen-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud3.2 GPA
- Mos Insider's GuideFree Mac menu bar utility for smooth mouse wheel scrolling3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what CPU-Z’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. CPU-Z is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by CPUID. Prices and plans change: check cpuid.com before you buy.