PCI CARDS for PCI-X SLOTS

[piperent]

If PCI-X is both hardware and software compatible with PCI, is there any kind of adapter to permit usage of old PCI cards in the PCI-X slot?

Just a simple query. I have lots of customers asking me, and to be honest, I haven't got a clue.

Thanks
piperent

 

[kestrel1]

I dought this very much. I have never seen or heard of such an item.

 

[piperent]

Dumbest marketing ploy I think I've ever heard of. It just can't be hardware compatible if the old hardware doesn't fit. I've found one card manufacturer who is actually re-tooling their OLD PCI boards to fit the new slot, then allowing their customers to 'SWAP' old boards for new at 'no cost to the customer'. Seems pretty desparate to me, but I have to tip my hat those guys; they saw the falacy with the PCI-X slot and stepped up to correct it. It would certainly make a lifelong customer out of me.

Thanks for the response.

JP (piperent)

 

[kestrel1]

What you have got to be aware of is that even if you can get the older hardware to work, it will probably not run at the faster bus speed of PCI-X. But as most new mobo's & systems are now using PCI-X, the manufacturer who does do what you mention should make some very happy customers. Eventually though all PCI will disapear as did ISA. I still have some old ISA cards & I just can't bring myself to throw them out. I know I should though.
What manufacturer is re-tooling thier cards?

 

[piperent]

It's a group called ACCESS I/O Products

http://www.globalspec.com/FeaturedP...rsal_PCI_and_PCIX_Compatible_IO_Cards/12233/0

Go to this link to read about it.

You are right, though, the PCI-X port will only run at the speed of the slowest device attached.

Check out this link:

http://www.dinigroup.com/pipermail/pci-sig/2005-September/000023.html

These guys say you can plug a PCI into a PCI-X and it will work!!!!

Who knows??? Guess I'll just have to try it and hope it works.

piperent

 

[kestrel1]

I found another site that says PCI-X & PCI cards are inter changable:

http://searchwinit.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid1_gci213746,00.html

I haven't used PCI-X cards yet, so I haven't had a chance to check out the physical size, but I assume that they are basically the same as PCI, if they can be used on the same ports.