Compatibility Check?

[DrFaroohk]

Hi all! I'm in the market for a video card, and I know basically what I need, but I was wondering if there's some website where I can just type in my computer model or mobo model and it will tell me what's compatible and what's not?

In past experience, I've found a lot of video cards seem to work as long as it fits in the slot, but I know there's other stuff like power supply requirements and all that.

[RealUnimportant]

Tom's Hardware? http://www.tomshardware.com/ (or http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/ if you're on this side of the pond...)

[Chromatix]

There are a few different things which can make a video card incompatible with a given computer. Some of them are less common than others.

1) Correct slot type. This shouldn't be a problem these days - almost all cards are PCI Express (PCIe) x16 and almost all m/boards have one of those - but check to be certain.

2) Power supply. Look inside the computer's case for a spare 6- or 8-pin plug with yellow and black wires. Now look at a photo of the card to see how many of those plugs you need, and make sure your power supply has enough of them. That is usually enough due diligence.

3) Card height, width and depth. Many cards these days require two adjacent slots for more efficient cooling. Even the ones that don't require it prefer it. So make sure there is space for that to happen. It doesn't matter what type of slot is in the second one, provided it's empty and th associated blanking plate can be removed.

Also check whether you are getting a full- or half-height card to match the slot type (most desktops take full-height cards) and that there is sufficient length between the slot cover and the front of the case to accommodate both the card and the power connector mentioned above.

It's easier to check these things yourself than to find a reliable source of compatibility information.

[DrFaroohk]

1) Correct slot type. This shouldn't be a problem these days - almost all cards are PCI Express (PCIe) x16 and almost all m/boards have one of those - but check to be certain.

Check. PCIEx16 confirmed.

2) Power supply. Look inside the computer's case for a spare 6- or 8-pin plug with yellow and black wires. Now look at a photo of the card to see how many of those plugs you need, and make sure your power supply has enough of them. That is usually enough due diligence.

This one...Not so sure on. I have one of those big four pin connectors free. And a tiny little one that i'm not even sure what it would go to except like an A-Drive. Do all video cards need to be plugged in? I've had a few that don't.

3) Card height, width and depth. Many cards these days require two adjacent slots for more efficient cooling. Even the ones that don't require it prefer it. So make sure there is space for that to happen. It doesn't matter what type of slot is in the second one, provided it's empty and th associated blanking plate can be removed.

Plenty of slots and room for the card.

My biggest worry is it's going to be some minor thing I never knew about. Some odd number associated with the motherboard or voltage or wattage or bittage or something that it 1 off so I can never ever find a card for it.

[emax4]

Actually, it's hard to recommend a video card without knowing what model computer you currently have. You may like one video card, but it may have a connector that is PCI-express while your motherboard only has an AGP slot.

[sms001]

Actually, it's hard to recommend a video card without knowing what model computer you currently have.

Yeah, shoot us the specs Faroohk. 10,000 heads are better than one. (and a lot scarier....)

[Chromatix]

This one...Not so sure on. I have one of those big four pin connectors free. And a tiny little one that i'm not even sure what it would go to except like an A-Drive. Do all video cards need to be plugged in? I've had a few that don't.

What you're looking for is a PEG connector - PEG is PCI Express Graphics. It looks like this:


If you don't have one, you will only be able to fit relatively low-end cards which can survive on the power available through the PCIe slot itself. Generally this is also a sign that the PSU in your computer is not designed to handle high-end graphics cards.

Even that is not a complete disaster though. If your PSU is the standard size and shape, you can just get a new one which does suport proper graphics cards.

[emax4]

What you're looking for is a PEG connector - PEG is PCI Express Graphics. It looks like this:


If you don't have one, you will only be able to fit relatively low-end cards which can survive on the power available through the PCIe slot itself. Generally this is also a sign that the PSU in your computer is not designed to handle high-end graphics cards.

Eh, one's definition of "high end" may differ from another. Just because a video card doesn't have the 6-pin socket, I wouldn't rule it out. Depends on what you're looking for. The higher-priced the video card is, the longer it'll last you when newer games come out in the next couple of years. The drawback is that by that time; the amount you paid for that video card previously might get you the newest video card at that future moment.

I've got a Zotac GT440 for $20 which was a black Friday special. It runs all my games at relatively high framerates, and it doesn't have the 6-pin socket for a power supply cord. With a higher video card, you pay for higher framrates and more eye candy, but is it worth the cost? You need to ask yourself that. I think for the longest time I've been into getting the most bang for the buck, hence my reply.

[Chromatix]

I make no assumptions about whether you're aiming for a high-end card or not. A mid-range card would still be a big upgrade for many computers.

I'm just saying that all high-end cards - from the Radeon 6770 upwards - currently require one or more PEG supply cables.