DIY First Timer mobo question

[blackh2o]

I am a first time builder and Tom's has played a huge role in it, so thanks everybody!

Hopefully this isn't a terribly stupid question. I've settled on my budget build pc and all that's left is nerves and settling on the right mobo. My question: Will the mobo I'm currently hovering over have enough PCI lanes to support my discrete gpu and a PCI wireless adapter? I looked at the details and picture of the unit and don't feel confident enough to do it without asking.

Mobo
ASRock H61M-VS
Wireless Card
Rosewill RNX-G300EX Wireless Card
GPU
Sapphire Radeon HD 6850

Secondary Questions:
2) If this won't work might you suggest a budget board that will? Bonus: (I will love you forever.)
3) Any thoughts on AS Rock's H61?

 

[Rockdpm]

Ok i have looked at your board and you have 1 PCI express 2.0 X16 slot. You have PCI express x1 slot. You will not be able to use the Wireless card. Since the interfaces are different between the Express Slots and the wiresless card. there isnt any compatible slots. As for the video card your set. Might i suggest you get a Wireless USB adapter?

 

[blackh2o]

Whew! I'm glad I asked and thank you for confirming my suspicion.

I considered a USB adapter, but read that PCI cards were considerably more reliable - especially important since light online gaming will be a factor and running a cable would be extremely inconvenient.

So I suppose the follow up question is:
1) Are USB adapters about the same as PCI, or will USB drain CPU a little more like I think it might? I only ask since the setup has a relatively weak G620. (Sorry if this is really a nonfactor.)

EDIT: I realize this suddenly might be better for the Wireless Networking Forum. I'll take it there if asked.

 

[blackh2o]

Hmm, after looking around it seems that I'll be better served with a PCI adapter.

Are there any H61 boards ASRock or not that can support a discrete GPU and a PCI adapter?

 

[upsguy1974]

Just a question for you. Is there a reason why you're going with a microATX? A full size ATX board will give you more options as far as upgrades and expansion slots. They cost a little more but will save you a lot of hassles and headaches in the long run. Here are some worth looking into:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157249

This is a good buy with the rebate being offered:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128488

If you're set on the H61 here's a few PCI adapters that will work for you:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166051

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166038

Hope this helps.

 

[upsguy1974]

Just realized the board you want doesn't have any PCI slots. So those two adapters I just listed wont work for you. This one will work with your board. Sorry about that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166063

 

[blackh2o]

I had no idea there were wireless cards that could go into a PCIe x1. That is what the last card you posted does, correct?

Before upsguy's posts, I researched a little more and found a few boards to settle on with a regular PCI slot. This is the favorite atm.

MSI H61M-E23 (B3)

It's still cheap @$70, but I think it'll take care of what I need. With enough space to fit the PCI adapter, or do PCI-e x1 adapters have any performance bonuses? (I wouldn't think so, but I'm a first timer and had no idea they even existed.)

Thanks for the input!

 

[blackh2o]

Last thing. Would those PCIe x1 compatible cards work with the ASRock H61M-VS I originally planned on using?

Budget is biggest factor in my case and neither of my boards seem to have glaring problems from customer reviews, but I'm unsure how long I can really trust either of them to last.

I don't really need to future proof my mobo past the lga 1155 spot (i5 or i7 upgrade in a year or two) or the single video card slot. If I only need one more PCI or PCIe x1 for a wireless card I think I'm set until I'm actually rolling in Scrooge McDuck money from a better job that I'll hopefully secure this summer. *crossing fingers*

 

[upsguy1974]

I was taking a closer look at your mobo selections and I would definitely go with the MSI if I were you. There are big differences between the two and for only $15 more it would be money well spent. Yes, PCI cards do exist although they are a dying breed. I wouldn't put anything but a wireless card in a PCI slot just for speed purposes. In my opinion, for what you want and what you want to do the MSI board would be fine. Here's a good article that explains the differences between the different PCI slots.

http://directron.com/expressguide.html

 

[blackh2o]

Best answer selected by blackh2o.

 

[nikorr]

This topic has been closed by Nikorr