Compatibility Question

[chameleonclone]

Hello everyone, I'm looking to buy a new PSU & Videocard, but after searching I can't find several key deatails I need to know

How do I know what kind of PCI-e slot I have? I know it's a PCi-express but i can't tell if its x1 x16 2.0x16 2.1x16 ect.

second I can't find information letting me know if the PSU would be compatible

"Acer inc. IPISB-VR" is the text on the motherboard

http://us.gateway.com/gw/en/US/content/model/PT.GCPP2.022 <-- that's my tower, it's the cheapest model


can somebody help me out here

 

[geofelt]

I can't imagine that there is a current motherboard that does not have at least one pcie-x16 graphics slot.

So I did some research, and it will support a high end discrete graphics card.
http://support.gateway.com/s/desktop/2011/gateway/dx/dx4860/DX4860sp2.shtml

Pcie 1/2/3 etc is irrelevant, they are forward and backward compatible. And... no card sold today will be impacted much by running on a slower interface anyway.


Your 300w psu should be good enough to run a card as strong as a 7750 that is powered entirely by the pcie slot.
Possibly, the new GTX640 will be ok.

Otherwise, you are looking at a psu upgrade also.
If you are looking at a really strong card, or an older one, check the length of the card, and how much space you have in your case for it. Some can be 11" long.

 

[Wolfshadw]

Given that the system is running a Core I3 2120 processor, I would expect it to have a PCI-Ex16 2.0 (or 2.1) slot. This means it could accept any PCI-Ex16 graphics card, as there are no compatibility issues with this version of PCI Express.

The system has a 300W power supply, and I would expect you could swap that out, easily enough with a better power supply.

-Wolf sends

 

[chameleonclone]

thanks a lot guys you answered all my questions =D