PCI-E x1 GPU

[Ovazealous]

Hello,

I've got an old computer, that I want to hook up with a more recent graphics card. Only thing is, is that it only has a PCI-E x1 GPU. Can you recommend a GPU that works with that? The motherboard is here: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_775/P5VDCMX/#specifications

 

[benski]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/249291-30-card

You can modify your slot and use an x16 card apparently.

If you're not comfortable with that your choices are very limited and overpriced.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814139069&cm_re=pcie_x1_video_card-_-14-139-069-_-Product
Thats the cheapest card on newegg other than some ion htpc card that I've never heard of.

 

[Sick Jargon]

I wouldn't worry about the PCIe version. You can find pretty good backward compatible cards that will work well but...

If people are to help you, you're going to need to give more information about your system.

Your PSU, RAM, CPU would be useful information to have.

 

[benski]

^His slot is x1, not 1.0.

 

[benski]

You would actually have more luck finding an AGP card than you would a PCIE x1 card. Is there some reason you don't want to use the AGP slot?

 

[Ovazealous]

I actually didn't know GPU can use AGP, if there is a good card, then please recommend. (as long as it works with the motherboard)


The CPU is a single core with 2 threads, Pentium 4 at 3.0GHz.
It has 2GB RAM with some horrible integrated graphics that can't display 1920x1080. (the resolution of all the monitors I have), the reason I want a new card is so I can run this at native resolutions of the monitor and also for a bit of gaming. Motherboard is above (first post)
It has a 350W PSU. That's really all I can say as my dad just picked this up from his work as a computer they were giving away. This is for my sister as she is using an even worse system and this is a small upgrade. (celeron... Very old)

 

[benski]

How much do you want to spend and what kind of gaming are you talking about?

 

[Ovazealous]

I'd probably spend under $50. The priority is to get a GPU that can display 1920 x 1080. Maybe something that can play Age of Empires 3 at reasonable frames, nothing too super crazy - else I'd just use my computer.

Just need to be sure that the AGP can fit up with the slot on the Mobo.

 

[benski]

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=256-A8-N542-T2&cpc=SCH

Descent old card pretty cheap. Should work fine in your AGP 4x/8x 1.5v slot (the top dark grey one) assuming you have a full size case and not some slim line thing that only takes low profile cards.

That card does recommend a 350w power supply you probably should make sure you have enough power before doing anything.

Have you looked at the thread I linked to in my first reply? If power is an issue you can cut the slot and get a gt 220 or something.

 

[Ovazealous]

I have had a look - I had no idea you can just simply cut the slot, I would prefer to get an older card that fits - but I can actually get the GT220 for only $30, but is it worth the risk modifying the slot?

 

[benski]

Depends on the tools you have and how comfortable you are using them, it's just a piece of plastic.

 

[Ovazealous]

I don't exactly have a soldering iron though, so it might be quite hard...
I might then stick with just an AGP card, apparently the Radeon 3850 is quite good as well.

 

[benski]

Well 33 bucks for that 7600gs isn't too bad a deal if you don't want to cut the slot. Probably about the same performance level as a GT220.

 

[benski]

The 3850 is the best AGP card you can get I think, but it will be wasted with your single core P4.

 

[Ovazealous]

Well I have found a used 7600GS on eBay, probably go with that - unless the auctions ends up more than $33, the 3850 doesn't even fit the type of AGP i think.