PCI or PCI Express

2006-07-17 06:14:30

#1

BigmacK: Back from the Dead.; +628|7051|Chicago.

Okay, I'm sick and tired of my crappy Radeon x300 128 MB graphics. Time to step it up. I know a good bit about computer systems, but graphics is a topic I haven't had the time to learn. So for you guys who are tech savy, can you help me out?

1) I need help figuring out what kind of slot I have (either PCI or PCI Express, I know its not AGP). I attained this screenshot when I went to the properties of my card. This is what I saw:

https://img63.imageshack.us/img63/825/pcipicuf0.jpg

Does this mean that its only PCI or what? The rig is a refurbished unit from Dell, 2 years old now. Any Ideas?

And for whatever it is, can I get some recomendations on good cards?

My other important specs:

P4 @ 3.4 GHZ
1 GB RAM

Thanks in advance for the help.

Last edited by BigmacK192 (2006-07-17 06:33:16)

2006-07-17 06:16:46

#2

DoctorFruitloop: Level 13 Wrongdoer; +515|6847|Doncaster, UK

How do you know it's not AGP? I'm almost sure mine reports just like this and mine is an AGP card.

There must be a better way of querying this.

2006-07-17 06:16:54

#3

Sydney: 2λчиэλ; +783|7144|Reykjavík, Iceland.

A 2 year old computer shouldn't run PCI Most likely PCI-E, my card also says PCI Bus there.

2006-07-17 06:19:38

#4

Teamsreth: Complete Tanker; +17|7144|England

Accoriding to OverclockersUk, X300 SE 128mb is PCI-E.

With regard to another card, what sort of budget?

2006-07-17 06:21:02

#5

DrM: Member; +33|6922

It's PCI not PCI-E.
If the motherboard is two years old then the chances are that it's not got a PCI-E slot in it.
The easiest thing to do is open the case up and have a look.

As for a new card.
I personally like Nvidia over ATI.
The best for BF2 are the 7900GTX series.

Hope this helps man

DrM

2006-07-17 06:24:07

#6

BigmacK: Back from the Dead.; +628|7051|Chicago.

*Smacks forehead*

Its only about a year and 5 months old, it felt much longer. lol.

Does this make a difference?

2006-07-17 06:27:09

#7

DoctorFruitloop: Level 13 Wrongdoer; +515|6847|Doncaster, UK

Teamsreth wrote:
Accoriding to OverclockersUk, X300 SE 128mb is PCI-E.

With regard to another card, what sort of budget?

But I do believe ATI did release an AGP version, and this would fit in better with the age of his PC. Didn't think PCI-E had been going 2 years?

2006-07-17 06:28:44

#8

BigmacK: Back from the Dead.; +628|7051|Chicago.

Well, since there is confusion, I'll just open up the case. Now, can you tell me, how do I tell what kind it is by looking at it?

2006-07-17 06:31:59

#9

DoctorFruitloop: Level 13 Wrongdoer; +515|6847|Doncaster, UK

You could just have a look at your startup, take a note of the motherboard number when the PC is turned on and then look it up on the net to see what the graphics interface is.

2006-07-17 06:32:58

#10

KILLZONE757: Member; +2|6934

You rig sounds just like mine. I have a PCI Express slot and the X300 series card. PCI express slots are long slots, like a AGP but a different color. PCI slots are short slots. Please if I am wrong correct me someone, since I am just going off my memory. You can open the side of you case and see pretty easily. I am still running the 128 mb card also, but hope to soon bump up. If the card wasnt an PCI express card it would barely run the game.

2006-07-17 06:33:30

#11

JVollmer82: Member; +3|6843|Germany

if you want to find out what kind of card you have, you can use programm for example EVEREST Home edition, it reads all kind of information from your motherboard (drivers, HDs, graphics ...)

Last edited by JVollmer82 (2006-07-17 06:34:02)

2006-07-17 06:34:22

#12

DoNER90: Member; +14|6818|South Africa

ok open up your PC case if you c a Slot that is shorter then the PCI slot and in a drffrent colour. if you c that it is AGP. ok if you c a slot which looks like a PCI but it is poiting in a Diffrent directoin and it is the same length it is PCI-E or Just give us your MoBo (motherboard model number then mybe it we can say what it is). and what socket is your CPU ??

2006-07-17 06:34:27

#13

Teamsreth: Complete Tanker; +17|7144|England

The ATI site has this on there = Promo sheet for x300................Just seen above, I couldn't see anything for an AGP version, but that doens't mean to say it wasn't there.

And if you download siSoftware Sandra Lite 2007, that will help let you know all of the juicy, and helpful bits.
UK page for siSoft.
In the main section of the program, display adapters, this will tell you which it is.

Hope that makes sense and helps a little.

Teamsreth

Last edited by Teamsreth (2006-07-17 06:38:50)

2006-07-17 06:35:19

#14

eusgen: Nugget; +402|7093|Jupiter

Lawl i have the same GFX card as the OP, I just got money, so now i can upgrade hopefully by the end of the week.

2006-07-17 06:35:19

#15

BigmacK: Back from the Dead.; +628|7051|Chicago.

KILLZONE757 wrote:
You rig sounds just like mine.

Dell Dimension 8400 (Refurb Rebuild)
P4 @ 3.4 GHZ
1 GB RAM
DVD-ROM
145 GB HD

lol, Sound familiar?

Edit: Okay, how about this:

Those of you who know you have PCI express cards, take a screen shot of the card you have, and display it here.

Right click on desktop > Properties > Settings tab > Advanced > Adapter > Properties

Thanks again guys.

Oh, and I don't wanna spend any more than $300, if possible. But I wanna be able to run on high.

Last edited by BigmacK192 (2006-07-17 06:41:10)

2006-07-17 06:40:02

#16

KILLZONE757: Member; +2|6934

Sounds like a mirror

The only reason i know that I have a PCI EXPRESS slot is that the build sheet that came with my computer says so. That and it looks totally different that a PCI slot, which my friend has.

Last edited by KILLZONE757 (2006-07-17 06:41:53)

2006-07-17 06:43:44

#17

Teamsreth: Complete Tanker; +17|7144|England

Just found this on US Dell site

Refurb 8400

Mine is a powercolor X1800 XT 512. Cant find pics at the mo'-----------------Found one. x1800xt

edited to add piccy

Last edited by Teamsreth (2006-07-17 06:46:04)

2006-07-17 06:43:58

#18

BigmacK: Back from the Dead.; +628|7051|Chicago.

Let me see if I can find my build sheet.

Dosen't say.

Last edited by BigmacK192 (2006-07-17 06:47:36)

2006-07-17 06:47:08

#19

DoctorFruitloop: Level 13 Wrongdoer; +515|6847|Doncaster, UK

Teamsreth wrote:
Just found this on US Dell site

Refurb 8400

Mine is a powercolor X1800 XT 512. Cant find pics at the mo'-----------------Found one. x1800xt

edited to add piccy

If that's the case then it looks like it's definitely PCI-E. One thing I would say, PSU at 350W is a bit wimpy for high end graphics cards. You might want to upgrade your PSU as well.

2006-07-17 06:49:35

#20

BigmacK: Back from the Dead.; +628|7051|Chicago.

Okay. Just to be sure, Imma open her up, and then I'll be back guys. Thanks again for all the help so far.

2006-07-17 06:53:35

#21

aqempty: Member; +6|6806|international waters

pci is before agp and are over 6-8 years oldi think iaccording for speed was pci, agp x2, x4, x8 pciex x16
so u cant even run original bf on on a pci card

i have a 6600 pciex but u just need to see if connection with motherboard is the same like this
http://www.gamepc.com/images/labs/rev-p … x700LG.jpg

Last edited by aqempty (2006-07-17 07:00:55)

2006-07-17 06:56:39