PCIe 3.0 or PCIe 2.1?

[EarlVal]

Hello,
I recently built a new system using a Sandybridge i3-2120, MSI's Z77/GDI55 board with onboard PCIe 3.0 capability, and currently no discrete graphics. I'm using this primarily for internet and light gaming, and want to upgrade the graphics capabilities while spending less than $200. Should I get the best card in my budget or limit my search to PCIe 3.0 cards only?

 

[crisan_tiberiu]

PCIe 2.0 / 3.0 card on PCIe 3.0 slot = no difference in gaming. The difference appears if you compute with your GPU

 

[EarlVal]

Best answer selected by EarlVal.

 

[dalmvern]

Dont limit your search at all, while your board has PCIe 3.0 capability, your processor does not, so whatever GPU you get, it will be limited to the PCIe 2.0 capability of your Sandybridge CPU.