Graphics card help

I'm not very good when it comes to the insides of computers but i was gonna get a graphics card with PCI express. And my friend told me i need to make sure my comp. supports it. My questions are exactly about that.

Is there a way to check if my comp. supports Pci express or Pci? And is there a program or do i have to open my comp.?

Edit:My comp. came with a nvidia Geforce 2 Mx/Mx 400 if that helps. Its also a dell dimension 8200(old model not new ones)

 

No, looks like that came with a 4X AGP card. You will have to get one that fits that same slot. Be careful what you get though, most power supplies of that vintage won't support a much bigger video card.

 

Thanks and keep suggestions coming.

 

All motherboards have PCI nowadays, but on the subject of PCI-E that is the replacement for AGP, the current Graphics card standard. If you currently have a Geforce 2 then your computer is definitely AGP and not PCI-E so you can rule out buying a PCI-E card unless you want to buy a new motherboard (and cpu and ram probably.)

So unless you want to fork out serious cash you're best bet is an AGP card.

Unless your motherboard was made when Clinton was President there's a very likely chance you have AGP 8x and that isn't a great deal slower than PCI-E 16x (the current maximum in speed)

Almost ALL cards currently available have PCI-E or AGP 8x versions, so you can still get an amazing card for your system.