PCIE 2 backwards compatible

[LiftOff]

Need to upgrade my card as SPORE won't load. Have a Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 with Intel E6600 2.4G, 500W PSU and 2G of ram. Present card is the XFX MX4000 with TV out which I stream to my HDTV130 card. My MB has one PCIE x16 slot.

I see the Nvidia 9xxxx are more powerful and SLI capable. I could get a 8600 to fit but thinking I'd like to upgrade further to 8800 or 9xxx. These later cards are all PCIE 2.0.

My question, if I've got this correct, will the PCIE 2.0 cards work in my x16 slot? What do I loose in functionality purchasing a more powerful card? What do I gain over just installing a 8600 which is designed for the x16 slot.

Any suggestions on the fastest card to get that will work in the one x16 slot I have? I believe my MB and CPU are enough as I'm not a gamer. This is my first try at a game. It must be able to handle the TV out as well.

I know my PSU is borderline with the newer cards so will upgrade that if needed.

Thanks, Cliff

 

[tonyn84]

A 2.0 will work with pcie 1.x, I'm running that now without problems. Only thing I recall is there may be an issue with some of the old 1.0a spec pcie. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pci-e#PCI_Express_2.0

 

[LiftOff]

Cool!! Thanks for the link. Looks like I'll need to get clarification before purchasing since "some video cards" may not work.

tony: What card are you using?

Thanks for the info.

Cliff

 

[megamanx00]

Yeah you should be fine with a 16x PCI-E 1.0 slot. It shouldn't make too much of a difference. What surprises me is that you've made it this long on an MX4000!!!! If you want a budget card then get a Radeon 4670 since you really can't beat it at that price. The next step up would be a nvidia 9600GT. A step up from that would be the 8800GT (same as the 9800GT) series of cards since they are excellent values. If you can spend more money though then get a Radeon 4850 as I'm sure that will last you for some time. Anything faster will be noticeably limited by the rest of your system.

 

[rabidbunny]

I have the same exact motherboard with a 9600gt and it works without a hitch. Go for at minimum of the 9600gt for nvidia or an ati 4850.

 

[Sined]

It should be said though, that the 4850 matches a 9800GTX, so if you find a cheap one, go with that

 

[LiftOff]

Thanks for all the input. You've answered my question. Will be going after a 4850 or 9800.

You guys have been great!