Installing a new graphic card

[yomikumar]

Hi people.
I'm using a pretty old motherboard, a Gigabyte GA-VM900M. It comes with an integrated VIA chrome 9 HC IGP graphics unit, which is reeeeally bad. The manual for my motherboard says it has one PCI-E x16 slot. I'm not sure if it is 2.0 or not.
I'm planning on buying the ATI Radeon HD 5570 1 GB DDR3 graphic card. The description of the card says it requires PCI-E x16 v2.1. My question is, can I use the card on my motherboard if mine isn't v2.1? Will I face any problems?
Any help is much appreciated. 😀

 

[siddharthmukul007]

no you wont....pci-e revisions are both backward as well as forward compatible

 

[completelyrandomname]

PCI-E 2.1 is backwards compatible with 2.0. PCI-E 3.0 is backwards compatible with PCI-E 2.0 and 2.1. Why are you getting a 5570? Are you doing gaming or is this just a HTPC? What are your PSU specs?

 

[yomikumar]

@completelyrandomname: I'm going for a mid-range card, for gaming. My PSU can't take any more than the 5570. Its a 450W.
Thanks

 

[completelyrandomname]

Secs on the 12v rail? The 7770 is 2 generations ahead, and will blow it out of the water (obviously). The GTX 650 Ti is a tad faster.

 

[completelyrandomname]

*Assuming you live in U.S.A.*
The 7770 is cheaper but just a little slower and cheaper, I would get it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102993
The 650 Ti is a bit faster and more expensive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162127

 

[yomikumar]

As I said, a MID range card. I'm getting the 5570 for 3300 INR, which is approximately 60 USD. I don't think i'll even use this computer for long, maybe the next 2 years.

 

[siddharthmukul007]

if your budget permits...you can also take a look at the hd 6570 or the hd7750.
both these cards are great performers and will work fine on your psu.

 

[yomikumar]

if your budget permits...you can also take a look at the hd 6570 or the hd7750.
both these cards are great performers and will work fine on your psu.

The 6570, yes. I considered that. I've not place the order yet, as my computer is yet to be moved from my dorm.
The 7750... not so much. 7k-odd INR is WAAAYY too much to spend for something that i'll hardly use for 2 years.

 

[siddharthmukul007]

ok.....good luck

just remember not to make an online purchase without checking local shops.

flipkart
theitdepot
bitfang

in fact all of them charge a lot

 

[yomikumar]

I'll look out.
Thank you!

 

[yomikumar]

Best answer selected by yomikumar.