PCI express/ PCIe 2.0 16x

I heard that it makes no difference whether you use a PCIe 2.0 x16 card in a regular PCIe x16 slot. Is this true?

 

Pci express x16 2.0 may be faster for some GPUs.

 

ok so it may limit the actual performance used of the video card (limit the clock speed)

 

What I can say is that for if you don't do like SLI or Xfire for a single graphics card an x16 will be enough since it won't even use all of the bandwith it has. And it won't matter also unless you get a hidh end card. Peace.

 

There are a few known compatibility issues with older PCIe 1 boards and PCIe 2 cards, but usually you will be fine. My stance on this is that if you have a board too old for PCIe2 that will genuinely affect the performance of the card, then your CPU is probably going to be so old it's a bottleneck for the system anyway. You are only likely to see performance hits with the HD4870, HD4890, GTX260,275,280,285 and dual cards (HD4850X2,HD4870X2,GTX295) - I would, however, strongly advise against using the next generation of graphics due out in a couple of months with a PCIe 1 board, they are much more likely to suffer performance drops and/or compatibility issues when used in an old board.

To spot the games where lack of PCI express bandwidth is most likely to cause you problems, look for game benchmarks comparing two HD4870 1GB cards in Crossfire against the HD4870X2. This is an ideally matched setup that should perform the same, free from bandwidth limitations. You'll notice, however, that in many games the two-card config is better than the X2 by some margin, which is almost entirely due to the PCI express bus bandwidth limitations.

 

Well let me just tell you what I'm thinking about doing and you tell me what you think...

I have the ATI all-in-wonder 2006 PCIe 1 16x and I'm thinking about buying this card to upgrade: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121314

I'm wanting to hook my computer up to an HDTV 1080p and if there's a better card that can reach that potential I'd very much appreciate knowing about it... within reason, like under $80-$100

 

Do you play games? Because if you don't, you'd do fine with this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102838

Much more efficient card designed for HD video from the outset. It probably isn't even that much slower than the GSO for 3D performance either.

 

I do play games (racing) and i would like GRID to work better than 640x480 smoothly. I raise the resolution any higher than that and it starts to become unplayable. Would this card help do you think?

I love the fact that the one you picked out has full hd and 7.1 surround output. I just would like to have one that is great with games and a few future ones too. I'm not sure there's a card out there that "has it all"

I also capture and record tv. I was thinking of using the PCIe x1 slot (unused) for a tv capture card... Thanks for all the advice

 

That card will probably play GRiD as high as 1680x1050 without too many problems.

 

thanks for all your help! I bought that card from newegg and its on its way, along with a few other things. lol