PCI express or not?

[cpt_azad]

Got a new HP computer about 2 weeks ago, long story short I just wanted to know if the motherboard has a PCI-E already in there or not (most likely not, but still...). I first noticed (when opening it up to put in a crappy fx5200) that there was writing above the 1st PCI port that said PCI Express something something, that got me hyped I also noticed there was no AGP port. anyways, i did some diagnostics, nothing came up until I used ASTRA32, heres a screen. Can anyone tell me if this motherboard has PCI-E??? Thanks.


http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/4912/pcixornot7bj.th.jpg (http://img168.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pcixornot7bj.jpg)


Info on the comp:

Originally:

ASUSTek Compuet Inc. Goldfish 2 motherboard (never heard of it myself)
2.8 ghz Intel Pentium 4 HTT
512 MB Ram DDR (2 sticks of 256)
onboard 128mb video
1mb cache
200gb hard drive

now its':

same mobo
2.8ghz oced to 3.2
1.5gb ram
geforce fx5200 128 mb video card
200gbx2 hard drive.

i really hope it has a PCI-E that way my cousin can actually play games with decent enough quality (and me too, cuz i visit his house often), if it doesnt then i guess he'll (i will have to for him) have to change his mobo to atleast one that has a AGP slot. Thanks in advance guys.

[orcutt989]

PCI X is the fastest graphics data transfer! It is the future! PCI X all the way!

[lynx]

It has the Intel 915 Northbridge, which is a PCI-Express chip.However, whether it has a PCI-Express x16 slot is a different matter.

Here's an Asus board with the 915 chip, the PCI-Express x16 slot is the blue one immediately to the right (in this picture) of the standard PCI slots.
http://www.asus.com.tw/999%5Cimages%5Cproducts%5C538%5C538_l.jpg

You may have noticed that HP have quite a number of models. If you told us which one it was you would have a far better chance of getting the answer you want.

[cpt_azad]

ok, i will find out what model it is (gotta phone up my cousin and ask). will post back, in the meantime ill open the case to match the picture u posted to see if it's the one. thanks for ur quick responses guys :)

[cpt_azad]

ok it's not PCI-X :( :( . mobo only has 3 PCI slots, all the same size and all aligned (in the pic you posted lynx, the PCI-X is a bit longer than the other PCI and is slightly off to the right. Thanks anyway guys, but for the moment, you guys know of any motherboards to recommend that atleast has a 8xAGP port but is on the cheaper side? his CPU socket is 775 and has a max OC of 3.8 ghz.

and also, is there a good easy tutorial avail. that can show me how to transfer all the things i have in the current motherboard (including processor+heatsink) onto another mobo? And i mean everything. I've never done a "full transfer" from mobo to mobo before.

[Peerzy]

PCI-X and PCI Express are two different things if i remember correctly.

[peat moss]

Ya PCI Express is newer technology but have made the same mistake myself .

[lynx]

Correct, PCI-X is a high-speed extension to the standard PCI bus. Completely different from PCI-E. Not likely to get much uptake except for specialised servers.

@cpt-azad: there should be a label on the case which tells you the model specification. Probably next to the windows authentication label.

There is a good chance that the board is the same as the one I've shown, except that the PCI-E slot was never fitted. There is probably just a row of solder holes instead.

You haven't said what size board the case will take. I suspect there isn't room for a longer board in which case your options are limited, but the cheaper boards are likely to be microAtx form factor anyway.

Socket 775 boards, $60 or less (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Manufactory=&PropertyCodeValue=705%3A9908&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=757%3A7619&description=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=60&SubCategory=280&Submit=Property)

[accat13]

Just a thought but the board in my sig is very nice.It has on board video as well as a pci express slot.The onboard is better than I thought it would be.Lets me save up for a proper card.Depending on your power supply it may also require an upgrade. http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/asus_p5rd1-v/3.html

[Peerzy]

Correct, PCI-X is a high-speed extension to the standard PCI bus. Completely different from PCI-E. Not likely to get much uptake except for specialised servers.



Yeah thought so, it's just he and others were just using the PCI-X as a shorter name for PCI-Express and it was getting confusing as to what he has and what he didn't.

@Cpt_rtrd - Why did you buy a HP computer? I would have thought you would want to build one?

[cpt_azad]

i didnt buy a hp, my cousin did. I'm still saving up for a new comp. but for the moment i'm living at my aunts (summer, cuz it's closer to where i work durring summer). anyways, the mobo says PCI-X, and that is obviously not PCI-Express, sorry for the mix up.

@lynx: yes its the exact same board, i can see the solder points for where the PCI-Express slot would be, but its not there, just the soldering points. it looks as if the PCI-Express was "taken" out of it, but taht's not the case (it just looks like that). if i can get his webcam to work, ill take a quick pic of it w/ the case off.

right now i'm looking at some cheap 775 socket compatible mobo's that either has 8x agp or PCI-express.

and for the record, yes, it does definitely say PCI-X on top of the very first PCI slot.

edit: i shouldn't say i'm looking for a cheap mobo, it's his comp after all, so he's the one buying i'm just gonna end up telling him which one. he doesn't know shit about comps but oh well he asked for my help and since i'm staying there might as well. one thing though guys i should just say right now, i have never done a complete "motherboard to motherboard" transfer. is it hard? i mean taking everything from your old motherboard (cpu+heatsink, drives, psu, ram, cooling, etc.) and putting it in the new one. Hopefully it's easy :) (probably not.....)

[clocker]

i have never done a complete "motherboard to motherboard" transfer. is it hard? i mean taking everything from your old motherboard (cpu+heatsink, drives, psu, ram, cooling, etc.) and putting it in the new one. Hopefully it's easy :) (probably not.....)
Yes, it is relatively simple.
RTFM and you'll be fine.

[lynx]

Actually, I just looked at a similar pc, (another HP machine as it happens), 915G or 915GL chipset, no PCI-Express slot. Cheapskates. I don't know if this is an ASUS board or not, but it says PCIEx16 between the solder points. If that was poorly printed it could easily look like PCI-X16.

[cpt_azad]

Ya lynx, that's exactly what it says on mine except there is no 16, right above the very first PCI slot and there are the solder points for the PCI-Express. Oh well, and ya clocker i'll def. RTFM lol. One thing guys, should i get one of those wrist band things that ground me (or make me non-static or w/e the fuck)? Or should I just stick to touching the side of the comp. every few minutes.

[lynx]

Only time I've used an antistatic band is when I had an big assembly job which demanded we used one.

Best thing is if your PSU has a power switch on the back, or a switched supply socket. That way you can isolate it from the supply, but still have it connected to ground. Then you simply have to make contact with the case before you touch any components.