Is getting a used PCIx system a good idea?

[Sixstringer7]

Is getting a used PCIx system a good idea? Financially, you can get a used HD3 PCIx with a 192 and PC/MAC for a lot less than just the one PCIe Core card.

How much performance is sacrificed by going with the PCIx ? Any thoughts would be great.

[ProTooler]

Mine is working great.
I just got a used Accel card for $700.
I'm now HD 4 and lovin' it!

[Delta Music Belgium]

Originally Posted by Sixstringer7

Is getting a used PCIx system a good idea? Financially, you can get a used HD3 PCIx with a 192 and PC/MAC for a lot less than just the one PCIe Core card.

How much performance is sacrificed by going with the PCIx ? Any thoughts would be great.

I have a HD7 Accel PCI (PCIx), the only difference with PCIe is:

- PCI Accel (PCIx): the HD Core card is not an Accel card
- PCIe Accel: the HD Core card is an Accel card

Once you go to (or above) a HD 3 Accel the difference between PCI (PCIx) and PCIe is not really noticeable.

Btw, Avid still sells PCI Accel (PCIx) cards at full price, when you buy a brand new HD Accel system you can still choose between PCI or PCI-e cards, the price is exactly the same... So the very low prices of used PCI (PCIx) systems can be very interesting...

[gsilbers]

i got an pcix system and i researched the process cards because i didnt know about acell vs regular processing cards.

the difference is not that great. its about 15%-20% faster overal.

but the plugins coded in acell, which can only be used with acel cards, then the acell card will be much faster.

and non accell cards are very inexpensive.


as for pci-e and pcix acell im not sure. i think it is the same card except the throughput will be bigger as its inherited in the pci-e specs.

but as someone pointed out above, if u go hd3 pcix then i doubt youll run into issues.

[Sixstringer7]

So, if you have a PCI system that is HD3 or higher, the difference in performance is minimal compared to PCIe ?

[Delta Music Belgium]

Originally Posted by Sixstringer7

So, if you have a PCI system that is HD3 or higher, the difference in performance is minimal compared to PCIe ?

Exactly, Digidesign calls the difference 'insignificant' and 'with systems larger than HD 3, there is no advantage to running on PCIe versus PCI other than slot-type compatibility' (these are quotes from the Digidesign support document linked below).

For all relevant info, please read this document:

http://akmedia.digidesign.com/suppor...ower_26690.pdf

[jeremyroberts]

Originally Posted by Delta Music Belgium

For all relevant info, please read this document:

http://akmedia.digidesign.com/suppor...ower_26690.pdf

And my favorite line from that very helpful pdf:

The Future is Safe