PCI Express Port Compatibility

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Hey guys...

I'm turning an older computer into a dedicated flight simulator, and I ran into a problem. I bought a widescreen monitor, so that I can view the instrument panel on MS Flight Sim better. I was using an older Dell that only has 4:3 aspect ratio on the board-mounted video chipset. I tried to update the drivers and it still will not allow me to adjust the aspect ratio, or resolution. So, what I need to do is update the video card to something a bit more "contemporary".

When I opened the case, I was surprised to find that I have a PCI Express port. It's an older, Version 1 port but it's a step up from an old PCI port.

The questions I have are:

1) Are all subsequent PCI express ports of that form-factor compatible with each other? (eg. PCI Express V1, V1.1, V2, etc.)

2) Which PCI Express card, compatible with this port, is a good option for my purposes?

Thanks for your help, guys!!!

[Wallabing]

If it's a PCI express x 16, then all the new video cards will work in it

(some powerful video cards also need a 6 pin pci express power from the power supply)

How much money can you spend on a video card?
Download and run CPUz, then save a screenshot so I can see what your setup is

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

What PCI express x 16 looks like



If by chance you have a pci express 1 port, then you're out of luck. They only make a GT610 video card for pci express 1, and it's weak for games.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Thanks for your reply!

Its not a PCIe x 16. It's a PCIe x 1, like the top port in your picture...

I also have a regular PCI slot open but I've been reading that the PCI Express are better, if you have them. Would it be better for me to get a card that runs off regular PCI, or try to get the GT610 card? Just to be clear, I'm not going to turn this box into a serious gaming machine. It's too old for that anyway, and between my kid and trying to learn how to fly, I don't have much time for serious gaming. I really just want the thing to run MS Flight Sim 2004, and display the correct aspect ratio.


What about something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Zotac-NVIDIA-G...s=gt610+pcie+1

It says PCIe 2 but I've been reading that those are compatible, in most cases. I just wanted to make sure before I bought something...

[Wallabing]

That video card will work, it wont provide stellar performance though.

Should be able to run FS 2004.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

That video card will work, it wont provide stellar performance though.

Should be able to run FS 2004.

Ok thanks.

Yeah, I have no illusions about this being a good gaming setup. The computer is almost 10 years old, and wasn't really "top of the line" when it was new.

Appreciate your help!!!

[CEDaytonaRydr]

I ended up going with a Radeon 5450 instead. It showed up today, and it fit into the PCIe port just fine but I ran into a problem: I installed the drivers but I can't see anything from the output on the video card. An error message came up saying I needed to update the drivers but it doesn't makes sense, since I loaded the drivers from the CD they sent with the card...

Any ideas?

[stilly]

I ended up going with a Radeon 5450 instead. It showed up today, and it fit into the PCIe port just fine but I ran into a problem: I installed the drivers but I can't see anything from the output on the video card. An error message came up saying I needed to update the drivers but it doesn't makes sense, since I loaded the drivers from the CD they sent with the card...

Any ideas?

Try the plug in the other video out in the back of your comp?

SOMETIMES the onboard video slots do not turn off when you insert another card, and sometimes you must go into the BIOS and tell it which you prefer to have first.

Also, MAYBE downloading the newest drivers from the manufacturer's site might help, but I dunno about radeon, I know Nvidia has a window and if you do not get the correct drivers your **** is gonna be jacked. also, the drivers that ship with a card tend to be a bit older, they can take as much as 2-6 months to get onto the street so they might work, but better would be newer in some cases.

[hdayreatohe]

they can take as much as 2-6 months to get onto the street so they might work, but better would be newer in some cases.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

I disabled the on-board chipset and it worked out fine. Thanks for your help guys!!!

We're really on borrowed time with this thing anyway but like I said, it's pretty much a dedicated flight sim now. We have a couple Macs we use for our primary computer needs...