PCI-E x16 1.0 and PCI-E x16 2.0

English Hardware
1

I looked at my mother board specs. It is a nettle2 (Compaq Presario SR5123WM) I am assuming it is a PCI-E x16 1.0 since I can’t find anything that has “2.0” after it.

So from what I understand is IF I had a MB with a PCI-E x16 2.0 I could use a 1.1 and higher 3D card on it. But what I can’t find is if I can use a PCI-E x16 2.0 Nvidia 9800 card on my computer if the slot is a 1.0.

I understand the technical differences I think, 2.0 is 1.0 doubled. But what I can’t find out is if it would be ok to use a 2.0 on a 1.0 slot or if maybe it is a 2.0 slot but for what ever reason Compaq never gave that info out.

After rereading this I seem to sound a bit confused. Oh, I am that’s why, lol.

2

according to The PCI-SIG or Peripheral Component Interconnect Special Interest Group, an electronics industry consortium responsible for specifying the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), PCI-X, and PCI Express (PCIe) computer buses.

PCIe 2.0 motherboard slots are backward compatible with PCIe v1.x. PCIe 2.0 cards have good backward compatibility, new PCIe 2.0 graphics cards are compatible with PCIe 1.1 motherboards, meaning that they will run on them using the available bandwidth of PCI Express 1.1. Overall, graphic cards or motherboards designed for v 2.0 will be able to work with the other being v 1.1 or v 1.0.

Reference: PCI Express - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Regerence: The Quick PCI-Express 2.0 Guide - 10stripe

Reference: pci-e 2.0 card in pci-e 1.0 slot

3

I just had an after thought

Nvidia recommends a power supply with 2x6pin connectors and at least 400 watts for the 9800gt and 450watts for the 9800gtx.
Your Compaq has a 250-300watt power supply, unless you’ve upgraded it in the past

4

Yes I upgraded it to a 450 watt PSU. But I have three sata hd’s, two ide hd’s. If I get a 9800 can that power supply handle it?

5

You should be fine. I estimate your total power load (with the 9800gtx and a little capacitor aging worked in) to be about 375-425watts at 100% load, and 100% peek load is something you will not see.

Check this PSU calculator out and see what you think
eXtreme Outer Vision - eXtreme tools for computer enthusiasts