I want to know PCI express slots are different from PCI

[nawaz123]

I would like to know what is the difference in PCI express slots compare pci slots. Do not confuse with graphics pci express slots. Forget about PCI express slots for graphics. I know about that one. I Just want to know PCI express slots are small or they look same??. Becos if I upgrade my motherbaord with pci express slots. Can I connect my mercury tvtunercard which is having pci slot??

[hitman_never_dies]

there is a huge difference between pci n pci e slots.its like comparing ambassdor to mercedes.they look like same in colour.

[abhishek_sharma]

yes pci express slots can be used to add ordinary pci cards...i.e. theyre backward compatible

[drvarunmehta]

Not at all. Forget being compatible, the card won't even fit into the slot.

i've to buy a new motherboard for my P4 i'd also like to know about the differences and also which motherboard have the PCI express slots in them. Gigabyte's 915 or Intel's original 915? But here abhishek_sharma says theyre backward compatible whereas drvarunmehta says that the card won't even fit into the slot. Its totally confusing.

[KHUBBU]

wikipedia link on pci express:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pci_express

even better and comprehensive article:
http://arstechnica.com/articles/paed...dware/pcie.ars

hope it clears ur confusion.

[drvarunmehta]

You can see 5 slots in this photo.

1 & 3 are PCI Express x1
2 & 4 are PCI Express x16
5 is PCI

As you can see, the dimensions of all are greatly different. So how would a card meant for one slot, fit into another?

[thadhanihemant]

ya exactly as drvarunmehta
said
the card won't even fit into the slot

i think it is clear as the above picture mentions.............

thank you all friends. your replies helped a lot. KHUBBU's link and drvarunmehta's picture made the scene clear. now i'd like to know about your suggestion on the best Intel's 915 (Chipset & Original) mobo having both PCI express slots and PCI normal slots in them of course with an option of AGP slot for my P4.

[::vicky::]

what is "X" in this

[abhishek_sharma]

sorry guys i confused pcie with pci-x...

btw @ ::vicky::

A connection between a PCIe device and the system is known as a "link" and this link is built around a dedicated, bi-directional, serial (1-bit), point-to-point connection known as a "lane". A lane is capable of simultaneously transferring 250 MB/s of data in each direction. A link can use more than one lane at a time but all links compliant with the PCIe specification must minimally support single-lane connections, referred to as "x1" (pronounced "by-one") links.

For higher potential bandwidth, PCIe devices and systems can optionally support links using multiple simultaneous lanes – for example, a "x16" link uses 16 lanes. To support extra lanes, a PCIe card and slot must be designed to accommodate the extra electrical lines required (2 lines per lane). Card and slot types exist for x1, x4, x8, and x16 links

however, these are down plugging compatible...i.e. if u can add a x8 card to a x16 slot but a x16 card will not fit into a x1,x4,x8 slot...
that is actually clear frm the images posted earlier.

[nawaz123]

Originally Posted by drvarunmehta

You can see 5 slots in this photo.

1 & 3 are PCI Express x1
2 & 4 are PCI Express x16
5 is PCI

As you can see, the dimensions of all are greatly different. So how would a card meant for one slot, fit into another?

At last u cleared my doubt..

PICTURE SPEAK THOUSAND WORDS THAN anything..

[::vicky::]

thanks abishek

[dharmeshhtailor]

Originally Posted by abhishek_sharma

yes pci express slots can be used to add ordinary pci cards...i.e. theyre backward compatible

hey mate PCI Express slots are not backward compatible.............
bcoz the voltage ratings of both are different.................
i have got it confirmed from Nvidia authorised service center...............
so mate please first do search about wat u r saying.............

[rockthegod]

Hi drvarunmehta, what motherboard is that ? (frm which the pic is taken).. looks like an SLI mobo....

[drvarunmehta]

Yes its an SLI mobo. Since it's yellow coloured I guess it's DFI.