How to Make Sure Your Video Card and Motherboard Are Compatible

Choosing the right parts for your PC is not as daunting as you might think.

When building your own PC, choosing the right parts can be a daunting task. If your hardware is incompatible, you could end up with an extremely expensive paperweight. Choosing the right parts, though, requires only a little knowledge and some research. Follow along to learn how to know if your motherboard will be compatible with your video card.

Things You'll Need

• Internet connection

Instructions

1. Ensure the motherboard contains a PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot. This is the type of connection most video cards use to plug-in to the motherboard. If you will be using two video cards (e.g., in a Crossfire or SLI configuration), make sure the motherboard supports this type of technology.

2. Check the video card manufacturer's website for a compatibility list. This will list all the motherboards that the manufacturer has tested to work with the chosen video card. Though the list is not definitive, it may help when choosing the right motherboard.

3. Ask for help from more knowledgeable PC users. Many Internet message boards are designed to help amateur builders to find the right hardware for their systems. This can help you ensure you are getting 100 percent compatible hardware, and learn how others have fared with similar configurations.

References

• PC Mag: Graphics Card Compatibility
• NVIDIA: GeForce 7950 GX2 - Motherboard Compatibility

Resources

• CNET: PC Hardware Forum
• Tech Support Forums: Motherboards, Bios & CPU