PCI Video Cards Backwards Compatibility

PCI video cards are backwards compatible with most PCI slots.

PCI is commonly used for computer peripherals, even though PCI came out in 1992. In 2010, PCI video cards are rare because of the limited bandwidth of PCI, although many PCI cards are compatible with new PCI slot types.

Identification

PCI and PCI-X, an updated version of the PCI standard, are backwards compatible with each other. You can even use a 32-bit PCI card in a 64-bit slot.

PCI Express

You cannot use regular PCI cards in a PCI Express slot. PCI and PCIe use completely different form factors.

Tip

You can still use the drivers and software from your regular PCI devices for your PCIe cards. Also, you can use a PCI card in a PCI Express slot with a special adapter.

References

• National Instruments: PCI Express -- An Overview of the PCI Express Standard
• University of North Carolina: PCI Technology
• Beagle Software: PCI Express to PCI Adapter
• Microsoft: PCI Express FAQ for Graphics