Pci-e slots

[redvexy]

Can my GF 9600 GSO VGA run good in a PCI-E x16(max x4 mode) slot? Or is it so neceserry to use a PCI-E 2.0 slot?

 

[outlw6669]

Yes, you can run it.
PCIe 2.0 is backwards compatable with PCIe 1.1.
You may wish to consider upgrading to a better platform that supports PCIe 16x to avoid bottlnecking your GPU, though.

 

[redvexy]

I just want a new VGA for my PC, because its not worth upgrading other components. I will buy a new PC in the future.

 

[redvexy]

Oh and could you explain me this part ''PCIe 2.0 is backwards compatable with PCIe 1.1. '' in simple words? That would be nice.

 

[Kari]

PCIe 2.0 parts will work just fine in a 1.1 slot, at the 1.1 speeds of course.

And apparently it works the other way around as well, so 1.1 parts will work in a 2.0 slot at the 1.1 speeds...

 

[outlw6669]

Straight from the Wikipedia page on PCIe:

PCIe 2.0 is backward and forward compatible with PCIe v1.x. Graphic cards and motherboards designed for v2.0 will be able to work with v1.1 and v1.0, and vice versa. In some rare cases it is possible that a PCI-E 2.0 card will not work correctly on a PCI-E 1.0a slot. This is only limited to certain video cards.

Basically, any video card wither it is PCIe 1.1, 2.0 or the future 3.0 will work in any motherboard that has a PCIe 16x electrical slot using any of the standards. Both the video card and Mb will auto negotiate the maximum speed supported by either device and enable operation. IE, you wish to use a PCIe 2.0 card in a PCIe 1.1 slot. As PCIe 2.0 has twice the bandwidth of PCIe 1.1, the Mb will tell the GPU to switch to a slower data transfer mode to allow both devices to properly communicate.

 

[redvexy]

OH now i understand it. Thanks guys, that helped a lot.

 

[randomizer]

The only exceptions are if you have a motherboard with a VIA chipset, if you do, don't get an 8800GS or 9600GSO! You WILL have problems.

 

[gillagad]

On the subject of 1.1 vs 2.0, if I was to get lets say a 4870 and put it in a PCI-e 1.1 slot would there be a noticeable difference in performance compared to a 2.0?

 

[outlw6669]

No, you would see almost no difference according to Tom's PCIe 2.0 scaling review.
As the 9800GX2 is still the most powerful single card out for the next month, you should have nothing to worry about.

Here are some of the results from the test nominalized to PCIe 2.0 16x being 100% performance.

As PCIe 1.1 @ 16x has the same amount of bandwidth as the PCIe 2.0 8x shown in this review, it should give you a good indicator of required bandwidth. Also, keep in mind that the 4870 should not be passing as much data across the bus as the GX2 and should show slightly better scaling.