PCI-X 64/32bit and 33/100MHz

  • Thread starter Thread starter tom
  • Start date Start date
T

tom

hi folks

i have a mainboard (asus pp-dlw) with three PCI-X 64bit/100MHz and one
PCI-X 63bit/133MHz slots.
now i need firewire, so i looked for a ieee1394 PCI card.
i found one (adaptec FireConnect 4300).
but the card is only PCI 32bit 33MHz.
can i put it into the PCI-X slot?
will it slow down the other PCI-X devices (ICP sata raid controller)?

thanks
tom
 
tom said:
hi folks

i have a mainboard (asus pp-dlw) with three PCI-X 64bit/100MHz and one
PCI-X 63bit/133MHz slots.
now i need firewire, so i looked for a ieee1394 PCI card.
i found one (adaptec FireConnect 4300).
but the card is only PCI 32bit 33MHz.
can i put it into the PCI-X slot?
will it slow down the other PCI-X devices (ICP sata raid controller)?
Click to expand...

The PCI bus speed is always fixed at 33 MHz. The mention for the Asus board
means that the board has a built in frequency divider as well for 133 MHz
front side bus (ratio 1:4) as for 100 MHz (ratio 1:3). Therefor, if you
overclock your system, the PCI bus will be overclocked also, wich is
dangerous for all PCI components, except if your bios has a setting to lock
the PCI frequency (most actual mobos have this feature).
So your Fire Connect is at the normal PCI bus speed and it will not
influence any other component.
 
The Asus web sites says this motherboard has a standard 32 bit 33 Mhz slot. Use it if it is available.
 
If i recall correctly I read that you can use a 32 bit card in a 64 bit slot, but it must run at the speed of the PCI slot. The web site says the PCI-X slots are 66 Mhz and 133 Mhz, so you need at least a 32 bit 66 Mhz firewire card.
 
Back
Top