The only reliable way to find your GPU serial number is to physically inspect the graphics card itself or its original packaging, software methods almost always fail because the serial number is not exposed to the operating system. To find the GPU serial number, look for a small white or silver sticker on the backplate, the edge of the card near the PCIe connector, or on the side of the card that faces the front of your case; if you still have the box, the same number appears on a label there.
The fastest way to find your GPU serial number
Physically inspecting the card or its box is the only method that works every time. Unlike the model name or device ID, the serial number is a factory-printed identifier that your operating system never reads. Software utilities, system information panels, and command-line tools can show you the GPU model, the BIOS version, or a UUID, but they will not show the serial number on the vast majority of consumer graphics cards. So before you try any digital method, power down your PC, open the case, and look at the card itself, or find the box it came in.
How to find the serial number on the graphics card itself
Start by removing the side panel of your computer case so you can see the graphics card clearly. The serial number is printed on a label, usually with the text “S/N” or “Serial No.” followed by a string of letters and numbers. You do not need to remove the card from the PCIe slot to read this label in most cases.
- Look at the backplate, the metal plate on the side of the card that faces away from the CPU. The serial number is often printed on a sticker in one of the corners.
- Check the side edge of the card, especially near the PCIe connector that plugs into the motherboard. Many manufacturers place a label here because it is visible even when the card is installed.
- If you have an Intel Arc graphics card, the serial number is located near the QR code on the back of the card, or near the PCIe connector. The QR code itself is a quick way to access warranty information, but the serial number is printed directly beside it.
- If the card is installed in a tight case or you cannot see the label clearly, remove the card by releasing the PCIe latch and gently pulling it straight up. Do not force it, the label is always on the outside of the card, never under the heatsink.
On some cards, particularly from ASUS, you will also find an 11-digit PPID (Piece Part ID) printed on a label near the PCIe or SLI gold finger. The PPID is not the serial number, but it is a related identifier that can be useful for warranty inquiries if the serial number label is damaged.
How to find the serial number on the box or receipt
If you still have the original packaging, the serial number is almost always printed on a label on the outside of the box. This is often the easiest method because you do not need to open your computer.
- Look for a white sticker on the side or bottom of the box that lists the model number, part number, and serial number. The serial number is usually labeled “S/N” or “Serial No.” and may be printed alongside a barcode.
- For Intel Arc graphics cards, the box packaging has a serial number that starts with the code “ADNF”. This is the code you would use for warranty requests, so write it down exactly as printed.
- If you have the purchase receipt, check the itemized list of products. Many retailers print the serial number next to the product description, especially for high-value items like graphics cards. If it is not there, the box label is your next best source.
Keep the box and receipt together in a safe place. The serial number on the box is your official record of the exact unit you purchased, which is the number you will need for a warranty claim or product registration.
Why software methods rarely work (and what to try anyway)
You might be tempted to skip the physical inspection and use a command or utility to read the serial number. On consumer graphics cards, this almost never works because the serial number is stored on a small EEPROM chip that is not accessible through standard operating system APIs. Here is what you can expect from the common software approaches, and what to try if you have no other option.
On Windows, the nvidia-smi -q command, which comes with the NVIDIA driver, may report a UUID (Universal Unique Identifier) but it often shows “N/A” for the serial number on GeForce gaming cards. Device Manager shows the hardware ID (like VEN_10DE&DEV_2684) but that is the model identifier, not the serial number. GPU-Z and similar utilities display the BIOS version and device ID but do not read the serial number on most cards.
On macOS, you can open System Information and look under Graphics/Displays, but the “Serial Number” field there refers to the system serial number, not the GPU’s. The Terminal command system_profiler SPDisplaysDataType | grep 'Serial Number (system)' returns the Mac’s serial number, not the graphics card’s.
On Linux, the lspci and lshw commands will show the vendor and device IDs, but neither command reads the GPU serial number. If you have a workstation or professional GPU (like an NVIDIA Quadro or AMD Radeon Pro), the manufacturer’s management tools might expose the serial number, but for gaming cards, you will get nothing useful.
The one exception is if your GPU is a professional or datacenter model, where the serial number is sometimes accessible via the manufacturer’s proprietary management software. Even then, you should verify the number against the physical label, because software-reported identifiers are not always the same as the printed serial number.
Why you might need this number
Your GPU serial number is the key to warranty claims, product registration, and technical support, manufacturers will not process a warranty request without it, and support technicians will ask for it to verify your purchase and identify the exact revision of your card. If you need to check warranty status or file a claim, having the serial number handy means you can get help without digging through old emails or hunting for the box. For troubleshooting steps that require knowing your exact card model, the serial number also helps you find the correct firmware or driver support page, so keep it recorded somewhere safe after you locate it.
