inxi as a Linux alternative to CPU-Z
Updated
Our verdict
inxi is a solid replacement for CPU‑Z for Linux users who need quick, non‑intrusive hardware data. It outputs CPU model, core count, clock speeds, cache sizes, RAM type and speed, motherboard chipset, and BIOS version, all in a single command. It is ideal for developers, sysadmins, and power users who prefer the terminal over a GUI. For users who rely on a Windows‑style GUI or need to export data to a specific format, a bit of extra work is required.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 3.3.41-1
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both report CPU model, core count, clock speeds, and cache sizes
- Both provide motherboard and BIOS information
- Both give memory type and speed
- Both are lightweight and non‑intrusive
- Both can be used in headless environments
What is different
- inxi is command‑line only, no GUI like CPU‑Z
- CPU‑Z can export to .txt or .csv files, inxi requires redirection or JSON output
- CPU‑Z includes a dedicated Windows installer, inxi is packaged in Linux repos
- CPU‑Z shows more detailed CPU stepping and voltage info in some cases
- CPU‑Z has a built‑in update checker, inxi does not
Opening your CPU-Z files
CPU‑Z stores data in plain text or a proprietary .txt format. inxi does not read these files; to migrate you would need to run inxi on the Linux system and manually compare the output. No direct import/export exists.
Switching from CPU-Z to inxi, step by step
- 1. Install inxi from your distro’s package manager (e.g., apt install inxi).
- 2. Run
inxi -Fto display full hardware details. - 3. Redirect output to a file with
inxi -F > system.txt. - 4. Open the file in a text editor and compare with the CPU‑Z report.
- 5. If needed, use
inxi -F --json > system.jsonfor structured data.
Key features of inxi
- Reports CPU, motherboard, and BIOS details
- Lists GPU, monitor, and display server info
- Shows network interfaces and wireless status
- Details audio drivers and sound cards
- Identifies OS, kernel, and desktop environment
- Supports JSON and HTML output formats
- Works in headless environments without a GUI
- Includes flags for specific component focus
How to install inxi on Linux
sudo apt install inxisudo apt install inxisudo dnf install inxisudo pacman -S inxisudo zypper install inxiFrequently asked questions
Can I get the same output format as CPU‑Z?
inxi can output JSON or plain text, but it does not mimic CPU‑Z’s exact formatting. You can parse the JSON if you need structured data.
Is inxi safe to run on a production server?
Yes. inxi is read‑only, does not modify the system, and is lightweight.
Does inxi support ARM or only x86?
inxi works on most architectures, including ARM, but some details (like BIOS) may be missing on non‑x86 systems.
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