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pci-express 2.0 vs pci-express 2.1

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15 replies

by snuffy09

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From what i understand pci-express 2.1 cards will work on/in pci-express 2.0 bus slots you will just not achieve 2.1 speeds until pci-e 3.0 comes out... is this correct?

then will 2.1 and 2.0 work in 3.0 slots?

thanks!!!

15 replies

by jamesrl

Today a 2.1 card will work in a 1.0/1.1/2.0/2.1 slot Speedwise, a 2.0 and 2.1 are the same. 2.1 has some of the management functions of 3.0.

James

by ron k.

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=12069
The article was written 6/12/2008 though, before the specifications were even finalized. It appears that was sometime late last year but I didn't get the memo so I can't say.
If I had to guess I'd say they won't perform up to speed in an older slot.
Good question. I didn't even know that 3.0 was in the works so it's all new to me.

by snuffy09

but will 2.1 and 2.0 work in the newer slot 3.0?

by jamesrl

A 2.0 or 2.1 card in a 1.0 slot will have the same bandwith as any 1.0.

But of course bandwidth isn't the only parameter in a graphics card, a newer card often has a faster processor and RAM, and rarely is the bus speed the bottleneck.

From what I've read the 3.0 slot is supposed to be backwards compatible, but as the design isn't locked down yet, that could change.

James

by snuffy09

the final call probably wont be backwards compatible which i hate because typically with motherboard architecture you have to replace all your hardware when you want to upgrade your motherboard. you cant reuse any of it.

if you have ddr2 RAM you have to replace it with DDR3

if your have a AM2+ CPU you have to replace it with a AM3 CPU

so now im ready for the if you have a 2.0 pci-e you need to replace it with a 3.0

I'm a "slow budget builder" i could not plop down $700-800 for parts at one time i buy part by part by priority which is why i dislike the constant incompatibilities...

by jamesrl

The group says otherwise:
http://www.pcisig.com/news_room/faqs/pcie3.0_faq/
They suggest it will be backwards compatible.

If you are buying a MB today, you will have a 2.0 or 2.1, and you will be able to upgrade the video card for many many years to come.

If you are buying a video card today, how long do you expect to keep your MB?

Many of the changes are theoretical improvements. For example, when the AGP/PCI express 1.0 changeover happened, in theory the PCIexpress had a theoretical speed bump since it had twice the bandwidth. But in testing many PCIExpress cards, with the same GPU, were actually slightly slower.

James

by snuffy09

"If you are buying a video card today, how long do you expect to keep your MB?"

MB i would keep a few years, GFX cards are like $200 a year minimum to keep up

by ron k.

It'll be one component or another. For me it's almost certain, the day I take delivery of a new state of the art system is the same day they'll announce a breakthrough in (take your pick) technology. I don't even bother trying to keep up anymore. It takes too much effort.

by ---tk---

I figured it out a couple years ago that, regardless of what you have it will be out dated the next day. So, to me there is no reason to keep up with the Jones.

Now if there was no budget, that would be a different story... :)

by snuffy09

im content with my 2.7 dual core
4gb 1066 ddr2 ram
and crossfired 4830 and 4850

the only thing i wish i had was windows 7 but heck even 7 home premium isnt as much as most graphics cards... oh well

by ron k.

If money is tight and you just want to tinker try installing a Linux distro. I installed openSuse 64-bit on my old Dell, in a dual-boot configuration, and it flew. It was a lot faster than the same hardware with XP Pro.
I'm back to XP because there are a number of programs that I use which require it and I don't feel like tinkering anymore.
I remember the speed I had with Linux. Seeing my hardware really perform makes me think that Microsoft should get their act together. They should've fixed XP before moving on but, of course, then they wouldn't have people paying $300.00 a pop for Windows 7 Ultimate, or whatever it's called.

by jamesrl

Bragging rights mean absolutely nada. If your computer can run what you want to run, and do it well, don't upgrade.

When that next generation game comes along and the demo runs too slowly to be useable, then think about the upgrade.

I upgrade my video card every two years, my MB every 4 or so.

James

by snuffy09

im not bragging at all, i just noted what i was content with as of now.

i like your upgrade plan 2 years per gfx cars 4 per ram.

i know you may as well be a compulsive gambler if you try to keep up with it on a monthly basis. the amount of money you would spend.

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