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how do i determine whether my computer has pci or pci express

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A short, practical checklist that complements the points from , and while avoiding guesswork.

First, get the motherboard model from the OS (no need to open the case). On Windows run msinfo32 or in a Command Prompt:

wmic baseboard get Manufacturer,Product,Version,SerialNumber

Tools such as CPU‑Z or Speccy also show the board model. On Linux:

sudo dmidecode -t baseboard
lspci -vv

In lspci -vv look for lines mentioning “PCI Express” or link-status fields like LnkSta/LnkCap (those indicate a PCIe link). Once the exact board model is known, the manufacturer’s spec sheet or manual lists the expansion-slot types.

If software methods aren’t possible, a safe physical check is next: power down, unplug, touch metal to discharge static, remove the case side panel, and inspect the expansion area. Many motherboards print silkscreen labels next to slots (examples: PCIEX16, PCIEX1, PCI1)—those markings identify slot types directly. A clear photo of the expansion area or the silkscreened model string on the PCB will also reveal slot types for later lookup.

When planning an upgrade, match the card’s listed interface (product spec will say “Interface: PCI” or “Interface: PCI Express x16/x1”), confirm case/bracket size and power-connector requirements, and check the OEM manual for any nonstandard layouts. The socket/era is only a hint; identifying the exact motherboard or reading the silkscreen/manual is the reliable way to know whether a machine uses legacy PCI, PCI Express, or a mixture of both.

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Member Avatar for Coconut Monkey

You have standard PCI slots. PCI-E support is only available on the newer motherboard chipsets - those with Intel's 775 CPU socket or (possibly and) AMD's 939 CPU socket.

Member Avatar for belama

Yes, some 775 socket motherboards and some 939 socket motherboards have one or two PCI-E slot(s). As of now, PCI-E is only used for video cards. If you have two PCI-E slots, they would be mainly used for SLI (two video cards).

Most PCI slots are white (there are some brands that make slots the color they want).


Here is a motherboard without PCI-E
[IMG][/IMG]
You can see there are 5 PCI slots. On top of them is an AGP slot (usually brown and located closer to the middle horizontally).

Here is a motherboard with PCI-E
[IMG][/IMG]
This one is more complex. As indicated, it has 2 PCI slots in the middle. The 3 shorter slots are PCI-E X1 used for Networks cards... I'm not sure what other use it has now. The longer slot is the PCI-E X16 that you would use for a PCI-E video card and is closer to the side of the board.

Another difference between the AGP and PCI-Express is the gap in the slots. This gap on the AGP is closer to the right if the board is positioned like in the picture. The PCI-E gap is closer to the left.

If you want you could tell us what model is your motherboard and we could tell you what slots you have...

Pictures linked from www.tigerdirect.com

Member Avatar for BILL S

The photo PCI slots look the same to me, but not the cards certainly do not. I found by looking at packages with windows, I could tell which ones would fit or not, also comparing to the modem card to see if they match, the PCI and PCI bus are the same type, the PCI Express is faster and physically different.

I found I bought an AGP 4x after they told me any computer a year old would likely by AGP... I found I had already bought an AGP off eBay that I had been stuck with as it didn't fit any of my slots, so my eMachine needs a PCI/PCI bus card as well, I'd imagine. I replaced that machine's Celeron 700 with a Pentium3 750MHz, but could use a higher speed to do video captures, etc.
-B

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