need help with graphic card:)

[mrplow99]

I'm looking at upgrading my graphics card, i currently have a crappy 6600.
My motherboard is sli but even with a single card only runs in pci-e x8 mode, so i know my bandwidth is limited. I'm not looking at getting vista anytime soon so dx10 is no issue. I'm thinking of getting a 7900gtx, will it work in a pci-e x8 slot?

Thanks

 

[slashzapper]

Yes it will no problem you can go ahead

 

[systemlord]

I think your mobo will only do 8x (SLI) with two graphics cards, but with one card it will do 16x because when PCI-E first came out the spec's were minumum 16x. I would get the new 8800GTS 512MB card. Theres no such thing as PCI-Express 8x, there is AGP 8x.

 

[mrplow99]

no my board has a 16x slot but it runs in 8x so its half the band width well at least thats my guess at the thing lol

 

[nvalhalla]

What's your budget? That will tell us what card you can afford.

 

[mrplow99]

around £100-140 because im needing a new psu also

 

[blackened144]

systemlord is right. in SLI mode each PCI-Express slot will be running in 8x mode, but when only one card is installed it will use all 16x. Im not sure what your budget is converted to USD, but trying to do the math in my head you should have enough for the 256mb 8800GT or the 3870 from ATI. If your not gaming at high res I would go with the 8800GT, personally. You mentioned not wanting DX10, but it doesnt matter because in DX9 mode this card will destroy the 7series cards you mentioned.

 

[JammerM]

On a distantly connected question....Can someone please explain the PCIe 2.0 connection compared to the PCIe x16 connection. I am confused about compatibility. The 8800 GT cards are PCIe 2.0, so does that mean they can't work in a PCIe x16 connection? If so, do they limit their ability to operate, etc? Help?

 

[blackened144]

16x just refers to the number of electrical lanes. 2.0 is just the newest version of the standard, it doubles the available bandwidth of 1.1 but its fully backwards compatible with all 16x PCIe video cards. Current video cards can not max out the 16x slot under the 1.1 standard, so boards with the 2.0 standard would be considered a bit overkill but are also more 'future-proof'.

 

[Shadow703793]

What is your motherboard? I have never seen a PCIe motherboard limit the bandwidth to 16x in non-SLI.

 

[JammerM]

Excellent Info, Thanks!

 

[Shadow703793]

16x just refers to the number of electrical lanes. 2.0 is just the newest version of the standard, it doubles the available bandwidth of 1.1 but its fully backwards compatible with all 16x PCIe video cards. Current video cards can not max out the 16x slot under the 1.1 standard, so boards with the 2.0 standard would be considered a bit overkill but are also more 'future-proof'.

Whats the point of getting PCIe 2.0 when the chip sets starts to get old, esp. Intel chip sets (X38 any one? :lol

 

[JammerM]

Just by the fact that all the x38 chipsets are on mobos that only allow ATI video cards? isn't that correct?

 

[blackened144]

No. Any single 16x PCIe card will work on any modern chipset. ATI cards will work on boards with Nvidia chipsets and Nvidia cards work on boards with AMD chipsets. Both AMD and Nvidia work on Intel, SIS, and VIA boards.. The only dual graphics solution on the x38 chipset is Crossfire for ATI. You can not do SLI with Nividia cards on the x38 chipset.

 

[JammerM]

"The only dual graphics solution on the x38 chipset is Crossfire for ATI. You can not do SLI with Nividia cards on the x38 chipset."

Ok, so you can only use ATI cards on x38 mobos if you want to be able to run DUAL graphics...right? Would it make sense to go ahead and get a 8800 GT vid card now and forego the duality and still be able to switch to an ATI card later? If I want to take advantage of that dual system?

 

[blackened144]

You are correct, sir. For dual graphic on the X38 you can only run ATI cards. I have never messed around with SLI or Crossfire much myself, but the prevailing doctrine is that its better to get one more powerful card than 2 mediocre cards. I am personally running the 8800GT w/ HR03-GT heatsink and its a beast so i cant say thats a bad idea at all.

 

[JammerM]

Thanks, please reread the post I edited it.

 

[JammerM]

blackened144, I am a new poster for this forum. Thanks for a great first experience. Merry Christmas!

 

[mrplow99]

my mother board is a ECS kn1sli extreme

 

[mrplow99]

I have read somewhere after reading posts that i should run in full 16x http://www.pcstats.com/artvnl.cfm?articleID=1856 but when i run cpuz it says.... graphic interface pci-e link width x8 max supported x16 if this is so why is it not running in x16.

sorry if im asking stupid questions

 

[mrplow99]

hmm i fink iv found a solution to my problem, my father built this pc for me and i fink the graphics card might be in the lower slot for the second card... so i just went and shouted at him sorry for waisting your time guys

 

[mrplow99]

sorry if im being even more of a pain i just dont wana buy something that wont. work would a 8800gt run in a older board (nforce 4) i know im probs being a stupid kid

 

[rolli59]

It will run fine on your board, specially if you are matching it with a X2