Pci-e compatability for a new card with old mobo

shaynet

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Aug 6, 2010
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i have an old system which isn't too great but the biggest setback in it is my graphics card
my system is:
cpu: AMD Athlon 64*2 4200+
mobo: ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe
ram: 3GB
graphics: Nvidia GForce 6600GT

so i want to upgrade my graphics card
and i thought of ATI 5000 series
but the thing is that those cards use pci-e 2.1 buss and my mobo has pci-e 1 (X16)
so i did some research and i found that the cards are supposed to be backwards compatible but there are some issues about it

so i'm asking for your help, please tell me what you think, would it be compatible?
and if it does do i have to format my computer in order to change the graphics card or bould it be enough to uninstall Nvidia drivers and install ATI drivers

thanks
 

Tamz_msc

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There are some issues with pci-e 2.1 cards on pci-e 1.x motherboards.However PCI-e 2.0 cards have no issue(usually).There are some very good 5000 series cards are a replacement for the 6600 GT.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102870
When installing,update the motherboard bios, uninstall the nvidia drivers completely using driver sweeper, install the new card and then install the ATi drivers.
 
Solution

shaynet

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Aug 6, 2010
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i also was thinking about that one (now after you opened my eyes)
it would seem that only sapphire make 2.0 cards
i am thinking about this one:
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?leg=&psn=0001&pid=310

also all of the nvidia cards are 2.0 but they have directX 10.1 vs the ATI cards that feature directx 11 which is the main reason why i prefer to buy the ATI card even though i am an nvidia person
am i right or does it make no defrence and i should also consider nvidia cards?