Got a pci-e x8 slot. whats my best options to Upgrading Video card

[Matikari]

hi, i currently have an emachines w3644 desktop computer.

http://www.emachines.com/products/products.html?prod=W3644

i'm looking to upgrade the video card on a tight wallet. All i have found that i liked are video cards with pci-e x16. But the computer has a pci-e x8 slot. i don't know what to do. i've looked at a x8-x16 adapter and don't know how much that'll actually help. Does anyone got any advice or info for me.

 

[dirtmountain]

That motherboard in your E-machine will handle a PCIex16 1.1 (or 2.0...backwards compatible) socket graphic card.
mcp61sm2ma

I couldn't find any information on what power supply it has, you'll probably have to open it up to check it. If it has a 300w or higher PSU i'd go with a HD4670 graphic card, if 250w i'd go with a HD4650

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121274

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102805

there are a number of other options available if those are budget breakers.

 

[jaguarskx]

Basically you can stick any PCI-e card in your motherboard, but since it is only 8x instead of 16x, you will take a performance hit if you install a video card that is too powerful. Thus, you will be wasting money.

I would guess that a HD 4670 or 9600GT will work fine and should not be limited by a 8x PCI-e slot. Perhaps someone else can offer a better opinion.

 

[Matikari]

i've been looking at the geforce 8500gt

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3738465&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs

would this be good?

 

[dirtmountain]

At that price this would be a better choice, the 9500GT DDR2

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4035118&CatId=1826

But i'd recommend spending the extra $9 for the HD 4650

Here's a hierarchy chart comparing relative performance of different graphic cards
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2118-7.html

here's a chart showing power consumption of different graphic cards
http://forums.atomicmpc.com.au/index.php?showtopic=264

good luck.