How to Check the Generation of My Laptop
Knowing your laptop’s generation is one of those simple skills that can save you time, frustration, and money. Whether your laptop feels slower than usual, struggles with everyday apps, or you’re planning to compare laptop price in Pakistan, the processor generation tells you more about your device than almost any other spec. The good thing is—you don’t need technical background to check it. With a few easy steps, you can instantly know where your laptop stands.
Why Laptop Generation Matters
Two laptops may look identical, but if one is a 4th-generation device and the other is 12th-gen, their performance will be worlds apart. Generation affects how fast your apps open, how well your laptop handles multitasking, how smooth games run, and whether your device can support newer software like Windows 11. In Pakistan, where people often compare laptops before upgrading, processor generation becomes a key factor in choosing the right model or judging a fair resale value.
Quick Way to Check Your Laptop’s Generation
If you want the fastest method:
- Press Windows + R
- Type msinfo32
- Press Enter
- Look for Processor
You will see a processor name like:
- Intel Core i5-8250U
- Intel Core i7-10510U
- Ryzen 5 5500U
Now use this simple rule:
- For Intel, the first digit(s) after i3/i5/i7/i9 show the generation
- For Ryzen, the first digit of the model number gives the generation
That’s all you need for a quick check.
Check Generation Using System Information
This is the easiest built-in method to get your processor details:
- Press Windows + R
- Type msinfo32
- Open System Information
- Find the Processor line in the right panel
Examples:
- i5-8265U → 8th Gen
- i7-1165G7 → 11th Gen
- i3-1215U → 12th Gen
- Ryzen 7 5800H → 5th Gen
This method is reliable, quick, and works on every Windows laptop.
Decode Intel Processor Names Easily
Intel names look complicated, but once you understand the pattern, they become very easy to read.
The generation is shown right after the dash:
- i5-2520M → 2nd Gen
- i5-4210U → 4th Gen
- i7-6700HQ → 6th Gen
- i5-8250U → 8th Gen
- i5-10210U → 10th Gen
- i7-12700H → 12th Gen
Simple rule:
Older chips = 1 digit for generation
10th-gen and newer = 2 digits for generation
Decode Ryzen Processor Names Easily
Ryzen processors follow an even simpler rule. The first digit after the series tells the generation:
- Ryzen 3 3200U → 3rd Gen
- Ryzen 5 4500U → 4th Gen
- Ryzen 7 5800H → 5th Gen
- Ryzen 5 7530U → 7th Gen
This makes it easy to compare Ryzen laptops and understand their performance range—especially when looking at mid-range or gaming laptop models.
Check Generation Through Task Manager
If you want a visual method:
- Right-click the Taskbar
- Select Task Manager
- Go to Performance
- Click CPU
The processor name appears at the top-right.
Decode it using the same rules for Intel and Ryzen.
This is a great method when you want to quickly compare multiple laptops at home, work, or a repair shop.
Advanced Tools to Verify Your CPU Generation
If you want a deeper look into your processor details, you can use:
CPU-Z
A free tool that shows detailed CPU specifications.
DXDIAG
A built-in Windows tool you can open by typing dxdiag in the Run window.
Both tools display the exact processor model, allowing you to decode the generation with accuracy.
How to Know If Your Laptop Is Too Old
Here are the real-life signs most Pakistani users notice:
- Apps take too long to open
- Chrome becomes slow with multiple tabs
- Zoom or Meet freezes
- Games lag or don’t run properly
- Battery drains quickly
- Laptop heats up often
- Fans get loud while doing basic tasks
If this sounds familiar, your generation may be the bottleneck—not your hard drive or RAM.
When You Should Upgrade Your Laptop
It might be time to upgrade if:
- Your laptop is below 6th generation
- You want to use Windows 11 smoothly
- You work in editing, design, programming, or gaming
- You multitask heavily
- Your current model has low resale value
- Your laptop cannot keep up with daily tasks
And if you’re into graphics-intensive tasks, a modern gaming laptop becomes a far better long-term choice.
How This Helps You Buy Smarter in Pakistan
Knowing the generation of your laptop protects you from making bad purchases. It helps you:
- Avoid outdated laptops sold at high prices
- Understand performance differences clearly
- Judge whether a laptop is worth upgrading or replacing
- Choose the right model in your budget
- Identify good deals when browsing categories like gaming laptop
This small piece of knowledge saves real money and makes your decisions more confident and informed.
Final Thoughts
Understanding your laptop’s generation isn’t just a technical detail—it’s a practical everyday skill. It allows you to evaluate performance, plan upgrades, judge value, and navigate laptop price in Pakistan more intelligently. Once you learn to read processor names and generations, everything else becomes easier—from buying a new laptop to troubleshooting the one you already own.