Graphics Card vs Motherboard and pci-e 2.0

My graphics card died on me the other day, so I need to get a new one.

I am looking at the 280GTX and 4870x2 type of cards, but my mates raised the question of if my motherboard can handle pci-e 2.0

I'm using a Bad Axe 2 motherboard.

1) Can my motherboard support pci-e 2.0?
2) If not, will I still be able to use the good cards?
3) If I can still use them, will they be limited in speed because of the card?

I'm not looking to do stuff like overclock...I use the components as they come.

Can anyone else confirm this?

Does it really make no difference if I use a n280gtx card on a Bad Axe 2 motherboard that only has pci-e 1.0 (or x16 or whatever its called)?

The only card that will benefit from pci-e x16 2.0 is the 4870x2, and even then, it will only gain ~10% performance when using a pci-e 2.0 slot. You'll be fine with a gtx280 on a pci-e x16 board.

Thanks for the info on the pci-e!

My PSU is a Thermaltake TR2-420.....so 420watts.

Looking at some other forums, I'm concerned that may not be enough. Everyone is saying 550w minimum, but to aim for 1000watt to be safe :-/

I'm running 1920x1200 on a 24inch widescreen...one of the reasons I'm going for such a powerful card.

Been speaking to some techies down here and they're saying I can use the GTX280 with an ODIN GT 550w Modular PSU (apparently its quite a good psu).

I asked if the guy at the shop would install the psu and the card at the shop to make sure they work properly before I take it home, and they're cool with that.

I'm not too stressed about SLI though....one card is fine by me, and by the time I reach the point where I would consider dual cards I will be getting paid a fortune with my new job, so no stress there

But ya....thanks for the info about the Bad Axe 2 and SLI...thats good to know.

A good 600wat would be fine a gtx280/4870x2.