PCI Express version compatibility

[Kelemvor]

So I have a Dell 745 and have no idea what type of PCI Express slot it is. I need to add a video card that has an HDMI port on it.

The cheapest one at Newegg is this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131339

Does it make a difference if the PC has a different version slot than the card?

Thanks.

 

[Qbah]

Looking at the wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express#PCI_Express_2.1

PCI Express 2.1
(...) Unfortunately, the increase in power from the slot breaks backward compatibility between PCI Express 2.1 cards and some older motherboards with 1.0/1.0a, but most motherboards with PCI Express 1.1 connectors are provided with a BIOS update by their manufacturers through utilities to support backward compatibility of cards with PCIe 2.1.

You have a Q965 chipset in that Dell, that's quite old and is using PCI-e 1.0a so you may have problems.

If you only need a HDMI port, perhaps this one would be safer?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150640

It uses PCI-e 2.0 so it should be no problems. And the card is cheaper AR

 

[Kelemvor]

Looking at the wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express#PCI_Express_2.1



You have a Q965 chipset in that Dell, that's quite old and is using PCI-e 1.0a so you may have problems.

If you only need a HDMI port, perhaps this one would be safer?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150640

It uses PCI-e 2.0 so it should be no problems. And the card is cheaper AR

Yeah, I want to use this as a Media PC running XBMC. All I need is one VGA port and one HDMI port so that card looks like it'd work. However, there's on reviews on it at all. I'm not familiar with that brand. Anyone know anything about it?

 

[lamedude]

I don't think a 5450 needs 75watts so it wouldn't need the 150watts that only PCIe2 provides.