OT: Is it worth waiting for PCI Express?

NoJoke · Post by **NoJoke** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 11:18 am

Hey-

I need to get a new computer, and I have done a little reading on the subject. I see that Intel and soon AMD are going the PCI Express route. Should I hold off for a bit and wait until that technology gets further introduced into the market? Or does getting an older systems that presumably will go down in price make more sense? Will the older systems still be viable in 5 years or will everyone need to already be on the PCI express train by then?

Thanks for your help and sorry if the questions are weirdly worded. I hardly understand what I'm talking about.

Joe

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 11:43 am

How soon do you need your computer?

You can already buy motherboards with pci express slots and pci express hardware(video cards) online.

Try www.newegg.com or www.mwave.com

Both good solid online stores.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 12:04 pm

Wait.

There is no speed advantage at all to PCI-E right now. Wait about 6 months. You can't even buy the top of the line cards right now in that form factor. Not to mentiont he processors and mobo's are on average 50 bucks more apiece for that form factor.

AGP is going to be around for a while still...stick with it until the PCI-E form factor matures.

BTW...don't buy INTEL if you intend to play a game on your rig.

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 4:31 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:BTW...don't buy INTEL if you intend to play a game on your rig.

Hey db, would you mind expanding on your experiences there. I am in the process of pricing out complete upgrade, and I am want a system that will perform will with new games like TW 2005, Richard Burns Rally, and Half-Life 2, but more importantly perform excpeptionally well with older games like Grand Prix Legends, Nascar Racing 2003, and F1 Challenge 1999-2002.

I keep finding some conflicting results with some of the newer video cards, ie they may run Half-Life 2 or Doom 3 really well, but have major compatibilty problems with older games. Just interested if you have recently had bad experiences with Intel vs. AMD, and what you processor/motherboard recommendation would be. Thanks.

NoJoke · Post by **NoJoke** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 12:35 pm

Thanks for the info guys. I think I am going to hold off until I see some reviews on AMD systems with PCI express mobo's.

Rob81Lakes · Post by **Rob81Lakes** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 2:03 pm

PCI Express completely blows away AGP 8x in perfomance. It's at least 4x faster.

Two problems. It's a first time effort with a technology that's hard to design for. It could be a few months before all the bugs are ironed out. And don't discount Intel; theirs will more robust out of the gate.

The other problem is companies have a lot invested in AGP. It's gonna take a while before everyone jumps on the PCI Express bandwagon.

Go with a cheap APG solution for now. Hold out for the good stuff.

Parker · Post by **Parker** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 2:13 pm

I hope they change the name. Every time I hear PCI Express, I think it's a new package delivery company.

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 2:17 pm

Rob81Lakes wrote:PCI Express completely blows away AGP 8x in perfomance. It's at least 4x faster.

Theoretically on paper, yes. In practice, there is no discernible difference today. Hopefully PCI-E will begin to differentiate itself by mid-2005.