Important PCI-E Question

HeeyItsRay · May 3, 2014

Hello All,
I recently bought a new desktop and am looking to replace the GPU in it. According to hardware diagnosis from an application I downloaded, my motherboard has a PCI-E 2.0x1 port. I don't know much about pci-e and was wondering if I could use a newer, PCI-E 3.0 card on my 2.0 motherboard. Also does the x1 matter, can the card i buy be x16?
Thanks in advance

Poprin · May 3, 2014

It doesn't matter, they are compatible. PCIe 2.0 has less bandwidth but unless you are buying a monster graphics card it won't even effect performance at all.

Powerbolt · May 3, 2014

If it is able to be used on that motherboard, it's power would be bottle-necked like crazy by the board.

Poprin · May 3, 2014

Hang on PCIe x1... What model is the board?

Someone Somewhere · May 3, 2014

What's the motherboard? A GPU won't fit in an x1 slot, but very few motherboards don't have an x16 slot.

I suggest opening the case up and looking; software tends to be pretty bad at getting that kind of thing.

PCIe is backwards compatible.

swifty_morgan · May 3, 2014

yes.2.0 and 3.0 are not a problem in the slot......... the slot should be 8x or 16x for best power/results. ......... 1x ......... i use mine for sound cards.

hunter315 · May 3, 2014

You can use a PCI-e 3.0 card in a PCI-e 2.0 slot, that won't be an issue, the 1x part will be though. The PCI-e slots are different sized depending on how many lanes they have available. You won't be able to put a PCI-e 16x card into a PCI-e 1x slot, and even if you do, you are going to have a 1/16th the bandwidth of a PCI-e 2.0 slot, that will limit the performance of the card.

HeeyItsRay · May 3, 2014

Poprin :

Is this what you mean
Motherboard Name MSI 2AE0

Someone Somewhere · May 3, 2014

That board appears to have one PCIe x16 slot, and three PCIe x1 slots.

I'm guessing the software was saying you were using one x1 slot.

Poprin · May 3, 2014

Looks like a HP OEM, bit obscure not seen the big boys using MSI before.

HeeyItsRay · May 3, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

So would it be compatible with a card such as this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121855&nm_mc=OTC-Channel&cm_mmc=OTC-channel-_-Video+Card+-+Nvidia-_-ASUS-_-14121855&srccode=cii_7240466&cpncode=35-23075002&DEPA=0&refer=channel&CMP=OTC-

Someone Somewhere · May 3, 2014

What brand+model is the PSU?

Also, just to make sure, does your board look like the one here?

Karan Thakur · May 3, 2014

insert the card in to the 2.0 slot .......install drivers.........check gaming performance .........if you are not satisfied then......buy a new motherboard with pcie 3.0 slot and plug the card in it........along with other components from your earlier motherboard.
its simple as that.............

Poprin · May 3, 2014

Karan Thakur :

Well not really, as if it's a HP it might have a none standard case. Also the Windows install will be bound to the motherboard, so it's more like buy motherboard and a copy of windows for a start!

HeeyItsRay · May 3, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

How would I go about finding that out, and yes my motherboard does look like that.

Someone Somewhere · May 4, 2014

It should be printed on a label on the PSU.

HeeyItsRay · May 4, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

Ok so after taking a look inside I saw that it has 4 pcie ports, one labeled x16, one x1 one x2 and one x3.
The PSU brand is hp, manufacturer is Lite on technology, model number PS-5301-01, part number 667893-003

Someone Somewhere · May 4, 2014

Yeah, you'll need a new PSU for anything decent. That's 300W.

HeeyItsRay · May 9, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

Thanks for all the help, one more question. Since my PSU has a max of 300w, could I get a card that needs a minimum psu of 300w?

Poprin · May 9, 2014

HeeyItsRay :

Realistically if you want a decent graphics card without changing that PSU you are probably best getting a GTX 750Ti.

It has the best performance v's power ratio of any card on the market currently and only draws 65w and doesn't require an extra PSU PCIe connector (some reference boards do need to double check specs)

Someone Somewhere · May 9, 2014

You could.

However, that PSU is probably getting a bit old, and running it too close to the edge isn't a great idea. That said, if you're not stressing it heavily, it should be OK.

HeeyItsRay · May 10, 2014

Poprin :

HeeyItsRay :

Realistically if you want a decent graphics card without changing that PSU you are probably best getting a GTX 750Ti.

It has the best performance v's power ratio of any card on the market currently and only draws 65w and doesn't require an extra PSU PCIe connector (some reference boards do need to double check specs)

Yes the GTX 750ti has been the main card I am considering. Does it have to be plugged up to the PSU?

Poprin · May 12, 2014

HeeyItsRay :

It depends on the card, the reference design does not require a PSU connector. However some of the cards do, you will need to double check the specifications of the card before you purchase. It should clearly show you in the technical specs.

Important PCI-E Question

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