pci 2.0 combatibility

[farlex85]

So whats the deal with these new pci 2.0. I read that it is backwards and forwards compatible, so I can put this in my pci express x1 slot? It also seemed indicated that this forwards compatibility does not neccessarily apply to certain chipsets. What about the nvidia p6n chipset? Does anyone know? I have not been able to reach any conclusive answers. Thanks for any input.

 

[Random Murderer]

this so-called "circular" compatibility just means you can use a pci-express x16 1.0 card in a pci-express x16 2.0 slot (like using a geforce 7600gt on a board with an x38 chipset) and you can use a pci-express x16 2.0 card in a pci-express x16 1.0 slot (like using an hd3870 in a board with an nforce 4 chipset)

 

[farlex85]

Right, I got that. Its just I can't find a definitive answer as to whether or not my current chipset (p6n 650) will support. For instance I read that the p35 chipset does not support the 2.0 cards. Hell, I guess I might just have to buy one and try it.

 

[panchoman]

your chipset cant do pci 2.0 only the x38/x48, 790FX/770x, and the 750i/780i chipsets can do it.

 

[Random Murderer]

your chipset cant do pci 2.0 only the x38/x48, 790FX/770x, and the 750i/780i chipsets can do it.

that is correct, however he can still use a pci-e 2.0 card, but it will operate in pci-e 1.0 mode.

 

[farlex85]

I guess for reference I will post the two cards i am looking into getting. I don't really want to turn this thread into a battle of the cards. I will continue to research and buy one of the two soon. I just want to know if it will work with my mb.


either: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814103050


or: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130306

 

[Random Murderer]

both will work as long as they fit in the slot.

 

[panchoman]

they would work fine, keeping in mind that the bandwidth that they'll be recieving is at pci speeds and not pci 2.0

 

[farlex85]

Ah, i think i get it. I can use the 2.0s but wont be at full capability. Thanks. So how much performance loss are we talking here? Major, or not too much?

 

[panchoman]

not too much, i dont think the new cards utilize pci 2.0 offerings that much.

 

[farlex85]

I guess half the bandwith right. So could I put in x16, or would it have to be x1? And what kind of perfomance loss would I have because of it. Thanks.

 

[farlex85]

Cool, thanks for the quick replies. I feel like I'm chatting. You answer the questions before I even send the reply to ask. Thanks a bunch. Think I will wait a month or so and see what happens when the new nvidia cards come out and the ati drivers mature. Then I will go for it.

 

[Random Murderer]

I guess half the bandwith right. So could I put in x16, or would it have to be x1? And what kind of perfomance loss would I have because of it. Thanks.

no, you won't see any performance loss, if any. even the highest bandwidth cards still use roughly the same amount of bandwidth as the max agp bandwidth. by the time cards start fully utilizing pci-e 1.0's full bandwidth, pci-e 3.0 will be out.

 

[panchoman]

well the slots would be the same, you'd use the pci express x16 slot

you'd have roughly half the bandwidth avaliable with pci 1.0 but as i said before, i dont think the 8800 and 3870 use that much extra bandwidth that pci 1 will really cause a big performance hit, though someone like damulta & tk will know a lot more in the video card field then i would.