Difference between PCI & AGP slot
Hi:
I'm trying to upgrade my Desktop/System. I'm finding that it's a little confusing where a new PCI wireless card would go and having trouble distinguishing if I can put in another 4GB of RAM as well. I have a MSI AMD 780G/780v chipset MSI k9A2GM/K9A2VM mainboard- I wouldn't want to put the new PCI Wireless card in the wrong slot- http://www.microcenter.com/search/se...+n+pci+adapter How do I tell which slot is for PCI and which is for AGP? When I open the tower is it possible that the board is going to have to be disconnected to pursue any kind of hardware upgrading? |
Found the motherboard online:
http://xtreview.com/addcomment.php?id=4957&view=crysis Quote:
Would upgrading void my warranty?:scratch: |
You raelly have to find the model of your motherboard. K9A2GM/K9A2VM covers a whole bunch of models, with different chipsets (740+ 780) different max RAM, different number of RAM slots, etc.. NEVER use 3rd patry sites (like 'xtreview.com') to fidn out what the board is capable of if you can get the information from the manufacturer.
Try lshw (as su) it should get the the full motherboard model. If that fails, use the 'eyeball' method, most MSI boards have the full model marked. There is no AGP on those boards. See this to get an idea of the difference between AGP, PCI and PCIe- http://kaizan28.hubpages.com/hub/PC-...tout-the-years You shouldnt need to 'disconnect' the motherboard. You will need to remove the power cord/switch the PSU off (I do both if possible). Not a bad idea to remove the power cord, then hit the power button..they helps drain the caps, making it a tiny bit safer. |
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Thanks for the link.;) |
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Thanks; haertig for answering my questions.
I checked the reciept and my Desktop is only four years old but the warrantee is for 5 years-- I'll open the tower when I'm a little more educated with some more certainty about my motherboard and which slot is which. So far from reading I'm able to distinguish the PCI slot from the RAM- But I'd like to learn a tad more before proceeding. Thank you;) |
I can't think of any case, none at all, where you could plug an incorrect device into an incorrect slot. They are all different sizes and are "keyed" differently. If you try to "force a square peg into a round hole" so to speak, it just won't fit. But if you persist in trying anyway, you will break something.
The extra memory slot should be the easiest to identify. It will be right next the currently used memory slot(s) and look just like it. But all your memory slots may already be used. You will need to open the case and look. If they are all used, you will need to throw away some of your existing memory so that you may replace it with a higher capacity memory module in the newly vacated slot. When messing with anything on your motherboard, but especially with memory and CPU's, you need to use static protection. Get a static wrist strap and static mat and learn how to properly use them. If you can't find any info on your motherboard at all, you can probably take a picture of it, post a link to the picture here, and I'm sure many can help you identify what is what. |
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Its a lot easier to figure out what slot is what from looking a real motherboard over checking web pages. Neat hint- AGP, PCI, PCIe and all the other obsolete slots are always next to each other and the expansion slots on the rare of the case. RAM slots can appear in all sorts of places, but its most common at the top right (next to the CPU, futher away from the rear of the case). |
Tried to run lshw:
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ztcoracat@:~$ su Quote:
I don't have a static kit so I will have to purchase one- |
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I shouldn't need a static kit just to open the tower and take a pic; right? |
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root@:/home/ztcoracat# cat /proc/cpuinfo Quote:
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Based on the info in your dmidecode output, here is the user manual for your motherboard:
http://download2.msi.com/files/downl.../E7501v1.0.zip |
There are no AGP slots on that motherboard for you to be confused with. You have some PCI slots (two), and a PCIeX16 slot and a PCIeX1 slot. You have four memory slots. Your memory slots are four all right next to each other, all identical, and they are the longest of all the slots on the motherboard. They are labeled DIMM1, DIMM2, DIMM3, and DIMM4.
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haertig:
Thanks for the link! I downloaded the: Code:
E 7501v1.0. zip pdf http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/Ul...tml?sort=3&o=0 Looking at the board I see the PCI 1 And the PCI 2.......is obviously where I'd place the new PCI Wireless adapter card I want to purchase- However: Does it matter which slot? |
Looking at all 4 slots:
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