I want a new graphics card.....but my MB has a PCIexpress 2.0 x16 slot

[ualdriver]

Hello-

I have a Asus P6X58D-E motherboard currently with a Sapphire ATI HD5870 graphics card. I have a Dell W3008WFP monitor, 2560 x 1600 resolution.

I want to upgrade my single video card with another single video card, but the instruction manual in my Asus MB says that I have 3 PCI express 2.0 x 16slots. When I look on the various charts that compare video card performance, almost all the ones that look interesting are PCIexpress 3.0 x16 cards, and my MB has 2.0 x16 slots.

So I guess the question is, does it matter? Will the 3.0 x16 cards work in the 2.0 slot? Will I not see an increase in performance with a new video card because my 2.0 x 16 slot will be a choke point for performance?

Thanks!

 

[Kenmitch]

You'll loose little to no perceptible performance.

What cpu do you have?

 

[blackened23]

You'll loose little to no perceptible performance.

This. There isn't much real world difference between x16 gen 2 or 3. That said, your CPU is probably aging (is it a lynnfield? bloomfield) so it may be worth looking into an upgrade at some point - but a GPU will definitely offer more benefits over a CPU for pure gaming, generally speaking. And don't worry about PCIE gen 2.

 

[SlickR12345]

Its backward compatible and there is no difference in performance at all.

The only benefit for pci-e 3 right now is in 3-4 way configurations, where it can reach the maximum limit of the pci-e 2.

 

[ualdriver]

You'll loose little to no perceptible performance.

What cpu do you have?

This. There isn't much real world difference between x16 gen 2 or 3. That said, your CPU is probably aging (is it a lynnfield? bloomfield) so it may be worth looking into an upgrade at some point - but a GPU will definitely offer more benefits over a CPU for pure gaming, generally speaking. And don't worry about PCIE gen 2.

OK, thanks. So the slots are compatible.

As far as the CPU, I don't know the "nickname" for the CPU, but on the box it says it is a Intel Core i7-950 processor with a 8MB cache. When I bought it, I was told it was a decent processor....but that was a while back.

So Battlefield 4 is triggering this purchase. I was reading that HARDOCP BF4 video card review linked on some other threads on this forum, and I was thinking about the AMD Radeon R9 280X to replace the HD5870. I'd like to spend around 300 bucks.

What say you all?

 

[CRA5HMAN]

I think the 280x would be a good choice. I own an Asus Direct cu ll top 280x and am very pleased with its performance. I am less familiar with your processor but think it should be fine for BF4. Upgrading to a 280x from your present card, I think you will notice a considerable increase in performance.

Just my 2 cents and good luck!

 

[Sunburn74]

What are your thoughts on the fan on that Asus? I'm having a hard time right now trying to decide if I should upgrade my gtx 570 to a gtx 770 vs your Asus 280x. The Asus is more power hungry but if it's quiet I think I may go that route.

 

[CRA5HMAN]

I actually have the version 2 that takes up 3 slots. I thought I was getting the one that all the reviews were for (the 2 slot and the one you are referring to). That said, I was pleased with mine and it came with a back plate. I barely noticed any noise, with a slight overclock in BF4. The reason I wanted to get this card is for its silent cooling. I imagine the 2 slot version is silent. The reviews I read, when I was researching, definitely mentioned efficient and quiet cooling. I have seen a lot of comments that the "non v2" 2 slot Asus card is the best 280x. Great performance for BF4 and I think you will enjoy any 280x as an upgrade ( I came from a 570GTX as well)and the Asus Direct cu ll top would be a solid choice. The 770 is also a solid choice, but I wanted the extra vram and I am hoping Mantle will up the performance.

 

[blackened23]

Keep in mind that the fan on the 290 is nearly identical to that of the 5870 and you need to run it at 47/55% for best performance - If you're okay with that, the 290 will be a great buy or if not the aftermarket models should be around mid December. If you can snag a BF4 model you can probably sell the key for 45$ easy (I assume you own BF4 already) - that's what i've seen the keys selling for on classifieds. The 280X is a great card - i'm a big fan of the Asus DC II line, so you really can't go wrong with the 280X DC II. From what i've seen it is the best 280X model on the market at the moment. The 770 is also a fantastic card but it is 2GB like you said.

 

[ualdriver]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

So I'm looking at this card above at Amazon (280x) and in the comments for this 280x and another one, it says that "PCI express plugs" are needed. I'm assuming that's talking about those power supply cords that come off the PSU (mine is a Corsair TX750W), and plug into the card, correct?

The plugs off of my PSU that go to my video card currently (HD 5870) are two cords, each with 6 receptors, and then each power cord has a little "extra" 2 receptor cord, that is attached via wire, but the little "2 receptor cords" aren't currently being used by the 5870.

I'm good, right?

 

[ualdriver]

Keep in mind that the fan on the 290 is nearly identical to that of the 5870 and you need to run it at 47/55% for best performance - If you're okay with that, the 290 will be a great buy or if not the aftermarket models should be around mid December. If you can snag a BF4 model you can probably sell the key for 45$ easy (I assume you own BF4 already) - that's what i've seen the keys selling for on classifieds. The 280X is a great card - i'm a big fan of the Asus DC II line, so you really can't go wrong with the 280X DC II. From what i've seen it is the best 280X model on the market at the moment. The 770 is also a fantastic card but it is 2GB like you said.

I was looking at the 290 series cards, but they're at least $100 more and from the performance charts I have googled, it doesn't seem like the small performance boost is worth the $100? Maybe that is an incorrect observation?

Not sure what you mean by running it at 47/55%?

 

[Bubbleawsome]

Just to reaffirm the OP; it takes a 7990 to saturate 2.0. That CPU also is not holding back, so it's an otherwise fast system. I would go for a 7970 due to them being cheaper. If you can stretch go for aftermarket 290 as they will receive significant driver boosts due to being a new chip, while the 7970/280x is already pretty maxed.

PSU: Yep, it's good. A 6+2 *is* an 8 pin and will work fine.

 

[ualdriver]

Just to reaffirm the OP; it takes a 7990 to saturate 2.0. That CPU also is not holding back, so it's an otherwise fast system. I would go for a 7970 due to them being cheaper. If you can stretch go for aftermarket 290 as they will receive significant driver boosts due to being a new chip, while the 7970/280x is already pretty maxed.

PSU: Yep, it's good. A 6+2 *is* an 8 pin and will work fine.

Thanks!

 

[gooseman]

What these guys all said. You won't even notice. I have an Asus P8P67 board that only has PCI 2.0 x 16 slots. I recently bought a 4GB EVGA GTX760 card that is PCI 3.0 x 16 and it runs like a champ on the board.

 

[ualdriver]

Thanks for all the help in this thread. Just installed a 280x today. I put everything on ULTRA in Battlefield 4 and it runs like butter. I still suck at the game, but the guys who constantly kill me in BF4 look a lot better

 

[DaTT]

Thanks for all the help in this thread. Just installed a 280x today. I put everything on ULTRA in Battlefield 4 and it runs like butter. I still suck at the game, but the guys who constantly kill me in BF4 look a lot better

I went from an MSI560Ti twin Frozr II to an EVGA GTX680 and love how BF4 runs on Ultra. Just a side note, if you ever want to upgrade your GPU, and aren't in a rush to do so, shop around the FS/FT forum. Awesome deals to be had. I picked up my GTX680 for around $300 brand new still sealed in box.

Man, this sounds like a spam post. lol

Hit me up on BF4, DaTT78

 

[tripecac]

ualdriver, I am in the same boat that you were last year; I have the same motherboard (P6X58D-E) and have a video card very similar to your old one (HD 5850 instead of HD 5870). I am thinking of getting a new video card for AC Unity, and am trying to figure out what card to get. I've read that the R9 290 has compatibility problems with our P6X58D-E motherboard, but you went for the R9 280 instead.

Did you end up going with the Sapphire from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FLMKNE0 ? Has it been stable with your P6X58D-E? Have you had any problems with it over the past year? Or is it still going strong?

 

[FX2000]

I tried, by mistake, put my R9 270X in an pci-e 2.0 8x lane when I first built my PC. When I went to show the innards to my friend, I saw the mistake. Moved it to an 2.0 16x Lane. I saw about 3-6 frames more in games. I'd say modern high-end cards will be bottlenecked at a hypothetical pci-e 2.0 10x lane.

 

[Bateluer]

Little late now, but yesterday, Newegg was selling a Powercolor R9 290 4GB for 250 USD, with Alien Isolation and Star Citizen. Its gone back up to normal pricing now, though there's still Open Box cards in that price range.

 

[tripecac]

Amazon has an R9 290 4GB for $290, which isn't too much more:

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Computer-C...dp/B00HPS4AFG/

However, I'm worried about reports of compatibility issues between the R9 290 and X58. Also, I've read that R9 290s are hotter than 280Xs, and that the stock coolers (as of last year) aren't as good. I definitely want a reliable cooler. I don't plan to overclock, but I also don't want to have to install a third party cooler.

 

[master_shake_]

i don't think there is a card today that will bottleneck a 16x 1.1 slot.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Intel/Ivy_Bridge_PCI-Express_Scaling/23.html

 

[ualdriver]

ualdriver, I am in the same boat that you were last year; I have the same motherboard (P6X58D-E) and have a video card very similar to your old one (HD 5850 instead of HD 5870). I am thinking of getting a new video card for AC Unity, and am trying to figure out what card to get. I've read that the R9 290 has compatibility problems with our P6X58D-E motherboard, but you went for the R9 280 instead.

Did you end up going with the Sapphire from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FLMKNE0 ? Has it been stable with your P6X58D-E? Have you had any problems with it over the past year? Or is it still going strong?

Yup, I did get that card and it works great with my system. No problems whatsoever.

 

[tripecac]

Thanks for responding, ualdriver! Out of curiosity, are you planning to run Assassin's Creed Unity on that card?

 

[ualdriver]

Thanks for responding, ualdriver! Out of curiosity, are you planning to run Assassin's Creed Unity on that card?

No, unfortunately not. The only game I play with it is Battlefield 4.