Which CPU-Z tabs to capture for forums

If you have ever posted a hardware question on Reddit, an overclocking forum, or a Discord server, you have probably been told: "Post your CPU-Z screenshots." It is the universal shorthand for "show me your system specs." But which tabs should you actually capture? Grabbing all seven wastes time, while posting only one rarely tells the full story. This guide explains exactly which CPU-Z tabs to screenshot, when to include extras, and how to present them so forum helpers can diagnose your issue fast.

The essential trio: CPU + Mainboard + Memory

Nine times out of ten, forum moderators and experienced helpers want three screenshots bundled together:

• CPU tab — processor model, code name, stepping, core count, thread count, base and boost clocks, and cache hierarchy. This single tab answers "What processor do you have?" and "Is it running at the right speed?"
• Mainboard tab — motherboard manufacturer, model revision, chipset, BIOS version, and BIOS date. Helpers need this to check BIOS updates, compatibility lists, and chipset-specific quirks.
• Memory tab — DDR type, total size, channel mode (single vs. dual vs. quad), DRAM frequency, and primary timings. This quickly reveals whether RAM is running in the correct configuration.

Together, these three tabs paint a complete baseline picture of any desktop or laptop. They cover the CPU, the platform it sits on, and the memory feeding it data. When someone simply says "post CPU-Z," this is what they mean.

When to add the SPD tab

The SPD (Serial Presence Detect) tab reads the EEPROM chip on each memory stick. Include it when your question involves:

• XMP / EXPO profiles — the SPD tab shows every saved profile, its rated speed, voltage, and timings. If your RAM is not hitting its advertised speed, this tab reveals whether the profile exists and what it promises.
• Mixed-kit troubleshooting — when you combine sticks from different kits, SPD lets helpers compare the specs of each slot side by side.
• Timing questions — advanced users tuning sub-timings need the full SPD readout to suggest safe values.

When to add the Bench tab

The built-in benchmark produces a single-thread and multi-thread score. Add a Bench screenshot when:

• You are comparing before-and-after performance — for example, after a BIOS update, thermal paste replacement, or overclock adjustment.
• You suspect thermal throttling — if your score falls well below the reference line for your CPU, helpers can confirm the issue.
• A forum thread specifically asks for benchmark results to rank submissions or validate claims.

Keep in mind that the Bench tab only tests CPU compute. It does not measure memory bandwidth, storage speed, or GPU performance.

When to add the Graphics tab

Include the Graphics tab when your question relates to:

• Hybrid laptops — machines with both integrated and discrete GPUs. The Graphics tab confirms which GPU is active and its driver version.
• GPU identification — verifying the exact model, device ID, and VRAM size of a discrete graphics card, especially useful when buying second-hand.
• Driver troubleshooting — the tab shows the driver version and date, helping helpers spot outdated or mismatched drivers.

Screenshot best practices

How you capture and share your screenshots matters almost as much as which tabs you include. Follow these guidelines:

• Use PNG, not JPEG — JPEG compression blurs small text and numbers, making values hard to read. PNG preserves every pixel.
• Capture at full size — do not resize the CPU-Z window before screenshotting. The default size is designed for readability.
• Blur or crop serial numbers — the Mainboard tab may display a board serial number. If you are privacy-conscious, blur it before posting.
• Use the built-in save button — CPU-Z has a small camera icon or you can press the Save Screenshot button (labeled with a floppy-disk icon) to export a clean PNG of the current tab.
• Name your files clearly — something like cpuz_cpu.png, cpuz_mainboard.png, and cpuz_memory.png helps moderators find the right image quickly.

Quick checklist

Text reports as an alternative

If the forum accepts text uploads or you need machine-readable data, CPU-Z can generate a full text report instead of screenshots. Run the following from a command prompt:

This creates a file called report.txt in the same directory as the executable. It contains every detail from every tab in a single plain-text file. Some forums and Discord bots actually prefer this format because helpers can search the text for specific values. You can also generate an HTML report using cpuz.exe -html=report for a formatted version.

For a full walkthrough of every tab and what each field means, visit our CPU-Z guide. If you want a printable reference card, check the screenshot checklist on the reference page.