Where to find your chipset driver version
The fastest way to check your chipset driver version depends on your operating system. On Windows, you can find it through Device Manager in about 30 seconds. On Mac, the process is different because Apple handles chipset drivers as part of the system — you check your macOS version instead, since chipset drivers update with the operating system itself.
Knowing your chipset driver version matters because outdated drivers can cause system instability, slow performance, or hardware conflicts. If you are troubleshooting a problem or preparing to update, you need to know what version you currently have before you download anything new.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Device Manager, expand "System devices", right-click your chipset, and select Properties to see the driver version in the Driver tab.
- The chipset driver name varies by manufacturer — look for Intel Chipset, AMD Chipset, or similar entries under System devices.
- On Mac, your chipset drivers are built into macOS, so check System Preferences > About This Mac to see your current system version instead.
- Write down your driver version before updating, so you can roll back if the new version causes problems.
Finding the chipset driver in Windows Device Manager
Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Device Manager, or by typing "Device Manager" into the Windows search box. Once it opens, look for the category called "System devices" and click the arrow next to it to expand the list.
Scroll through the System devices list and look for an entry that says "Intel Chipset" (if you have an Intel processor), "AMD Chipset" (for AMD processors), or similar. The exact name depends on your motherboard and processor manufacturer. Right-click that entry and select Properties.
In the Properties window, click the "Driver" tab. You will see the driver version listed under "Driver Version" — this is the number you are looking for. Write it down or take a screenshot before you close the window. The date shown next to the version tells you when the driver was last updated.
Identifying your chipset when the name is unclear
If you cannot find an obvious chipset entry in System devices, you can narrow it down by checking what processor you have first. Right-click your Start button, select System, and look for "Processor" in the window that opens. This tells you whether you have an Intel or AMD chip.
Then go back to Device Manager and look specifically for "Intel" or "AMD" entries under System devices. Common names include "Intel 100 Series Chipset Family SMBus Controller", "AMD Ryzen Chipset", or variations with different series numbers. If you still cannot find it, look for entries with "Chipset" in the name or check under "Universal Serial Bus controllers" — some chipset drivers appear there instead.
If Device Manager shows a yellow exclamation mark next to any System devices entry, that usually means the driver is missing or outdated. Those entries are worth checking even if the name is not immediately clear.
Checking chipset drivers on Mac
On Mac, chipset drivers are not separate files you can check individually — they are built into macOS itself. Instead, you check your macOS version, which tells you whether your chipset drivers are current.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "About This Mac". In the window that opens, look at the line that says "System Version" or "macOS" — this shows your current operating system version. Chipset driver updates come with macOS updates, so if your system is fully updated, your chipset drivers are current.
To check if updates are available, go to System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), click "General", and then select "Software Update". If an update is available, macOS will show it here. Installing the macOS update will also update your chipset drivers.
What to do after you find your driver version
Once you have your chipset driver version, compare it to the latest version available from your motherboard or processor manufacturer. Visit the support page for your specific motherboard model (if you built a custom PC) or your computer manufacturer (if you have a laptop or pre-built system). Search for "chipset driver" on that page and look for the most recent version available for your system.
If your current version is older than the latest version, you can download the new driver from the manufacturer's website. Before you install it, restart your computer and create a system restore point — this lets you roll back to your current driver if the new one causes problems. To create a restore point on Windows, right-click "This PC", select Properties, click "System protection", and then click "Create".
After you install the new driver, restart your computer and return to Device Manager to confirm the version has updated. If you experience problems after updating, you can uninstall the new driver in Device Manager and Windows will revert to the previous version, or you can use your system restore point to go back further.
When you might need to check your chipset driver
Check your chipset driver version if you are experiencing system crashes, random freezes, or hardware devices that stop working. The chipset is the bridge between your processor and the rest of your hardware, so an outdated or corrupted driver can affect multiple components at once.
You should also check before upgrading Windows or installing a major system update, because sometimes a newer operating system requires a newer chipset driver. If you are building a new computer or installing Windows on an older motherboard, checking and updating the chipset driver is often one of the first things to do after the operating system is installed.
If you are troubleshooting with technical support — whether from your computer manufacturer or a repair shop — they will often ask for your chipset driver version. Having this information ready saves time and helps them diagnose the problem faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if Device Manager shows my chipset driver as "Unknown Device"?
An unknown device usually means the driver is missing or corrupted. Right-click the unknown device and select "Update driver". Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" and Windows will search for the correct driver online. If that does not work, visit your motherboard or computer manufacturer's website and download the chipset driver manually, then use "Browse my computer for driver software" to install it.
Can I update my chipset driver without restarting?
Some chipset driver updates do not require a restart, but most do. Even if Windows does not force a restart, restarting after a chipset driver update is recommended because the chipset controls core system functions. Restart as soon as you finish installing the update to ensure the new driver loads properly.
Is it safe to update my chipset driver?
Updating to the latest chipset driver from your manufacturer is generally safe and often fixes problems. The risk comes from installing a driver from an untrusted source or installing a driver meant for a different motherboard model. Always download from your motherboard manufacturer's official website or your computer maker's support page, never from third-party driver update tools.
Why does my chipset driver version number look different from what the manufacturer lists?
Different manufacturers use different version numbering systems. Intel might show a version like "10.1.27.3", while AMD might show "21.40.16.01". These numbers are not directly comparable across brands. What matters is whether your version matches the latest version listed on your specific motherboard or processor manufacturer's support page.
Do I need to uninstall the old chipset driver before installing a new one?
No. When you install a new chipset driver, it automatically replaces the old one. You do not need to uninstall the previous version first. Windows handles the replacement during installation. Just download the new driver, run the installer, and follow the prompts.