Throughout the development of computer technology, connectors for connecting various components to motherboards have changed several times, improved and increased bandwidths and performance. The only downside to these innovations is the inability to connect older components due to differences in connector construction. This once also affected video cards.
How to check video card and motherboard compatibility
The video card connector and the structure of the video card itself have only changed once, after which there were only improvements and the launch of new generations with wider bands, which had no effect on the shape of the skirting boards. Let's cover this in more detail.
AGP y PCI Express
In 2004 last video card with AGP connection type went on sale, in reality, it was then that the production of motherboards with this connector ceased. The latest NVIDIA model is GeForce 7800GS and Radeon HD 4670 the AMD. All of the following video card models were manufactured in PCI Express, only his generation changed. The next screenshot shows these two connectors. The difference can be seen with the naked eye.
To check compatibility, just go to the official websites of the motherboard and graphics adapter manufacturers, where the specs will show the information you need. At the same time, if you have a video card and motherboard, compare the two connectors.
PCI Express Generations and How to Identify Them
There have been three generations of PCI Express since its inception, and the fourth is scheduled for this year. Any of them is compatible with the above, since the form factor has not been modified, and they only differ in the operating modes and the width of the Belts. In other words, do not worry, any PCI-e video card will fit on a motherboard with the same connector. The only thing that I would like to draw your attention to are the operating modes.. The width of the Bands depends on it and, Consequently, card speed. Pay attention to the next table:
Each generation of PCI Express has five modes of operation: x1, x2, x4, x8 and x16. Each successive generation is twice as fast as the previous one. You can see this pattern in the table above. Low-end and mid-range graphics cards are absolutely exposed when plugged into a connector 2.0 x4 or x16. Despite this, high-end cards are recommended for connectivity 3.0 x8 and x16. Avoid worrying: when you buy a powerful video card, you must combine it with a good processor and a good motherboard. At the same time, all motherboards that support the latest generation of CPU already have PCI Express installed 3.0.
If you are interested in knowing which operating mode the motherboard supports, you just have to look at it, because next to the connector, In most cases, both the PCI-e version and the operating mode are indicated.
When this information is not enabled or cannot be entered into the motherboard, it is best to download a special program to establish the characteristics of the components installed on the computer. Choose one of the most suitable representatives described in our post in the following link and go to “System control panel”. O “Motherboard”., for the PCI Express version and operating mode.
When installing a PCI Express x16 graphics card in a x8 slot on the motherboard, as an example, the operating mode will be x8.
Read more: Computer equipment detection software
SLI y Crossfire
More recently, a technology has emerged that makes it possible to use two graphics adapters on the same PC. Checking compatibility is pretty easy: if your motherboard comes with a special jumper for connection, as well as there are also two PCI Express connectors, then there is almost a hundred percent chance that it is compatible with SLI and Crossfire technology. For more details on the nuances, the compatibility and connection of two graphics cards to a computer, read our post.
Today we have covered in detail the topic of motherboard and graphics adapter compatibility check. There is nothing complicated in this procedure, all you need to know is the type of connector, and everything else is not so important. Only the speed and width of the bands depend on the generations and the operating modes. Doesn't affect compatibility at all.
