Byteside
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts
Twitter Facebook Instagram RSS
Twitter Twitch LinkedIn RSS Instagram Facebook
Byteside
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts
Twitter Twitch LinkedIn RSS Instagram Facebook
Byteside

ASRock makes legacy graphics card that fits M.2 slots

Hope CorriganBy Hope CorriganDecember 14, 2020

Like your backward compatibility but not at the expense of ripping fast new stuff? Now you can get a graphics card to fit into a PC’s M.2 slot. Caveats being this card won’t play modern games and, technically, you probably can’t buy it… yet.

As spotted by Tom’s Hardware, ASRock has come out with a legacy VGA module that hooks directly into your M.2 slot with PCIe interface and is set to support both Windows and Linux. 

Now, let’s be really clear. The M2_VGA module is not going to play any of the latest games. Or probably even games from the past 20 or so years. It uses a very basic silicon chip that can only process 2D graphics, but it can output them at a resolution of up to 1920 x 1080. It also has its own DDR memory and uses basically no power with a draw of only 1.49 Watts.

But you can use it to connect to a 15-pin D-sub connector, if that’s your jam. This could be really useful for people trying to keep legacy software alive in its somewhat pure form. It could also be neat if you just have an old VGA monitor you desperately want to use.

However, the coolest thing by far about this niche little product is definitely the form factor. Having any graphics fit the M.2 slot is a neat idea, especially as almost all computers from the past few years are likely to be rocking one. It’d be so easy to install something like this, even if it was only for occasional use.

This could even make a great gift for the niche tech-head in your life, but if people have slightly broader tastes maybe check out our gift guide for more ideas.

It’s nice to see any innovation that could end up making multi-card set ups more viable. However, I wouldn’t expect to see any ray tracing cards come to this format any time soon. Check back in a decade and see how things are going on that front.


Some Byteside outbound links may include affiliate programs to support Byteside’s operations. Our recommendations and review commentary remain independent of any potential revenue that may come through including such links.

Hope Corrigan

Secretly several dogs stacked on top of one another in a large coat, Hope has a habit of getting far too excited about all things videogames and tech. She loves the new accomplishments and ideas humanity conjures and believes in a future where we work for the betterment of all. Until then, she does her best to bring light by sharing her excitements with you here. You can also find her screaming into the void on Twitter.

asrock pc retro

Previously on Byteside...

Culture

Fans produce the never animated final episode of the 1980s D&D cartoon

Byteside

Streaming retro arcade games with Steve Cottam, CEO of Antstream

Culture

Watch almost 200 Georges Méliès classic films for free online

Comments are closed.

Get On It
Follow us
  • Twitter
  • Twitch
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
Latest
Hamster in the palm of a hand

Why one cute hamster says everything you need to know about what online learning should be

Best budget laptops for 2022

The best budget laptops for 2022

Apple iPhone SE 3rd gen colours midnight, starlight and red - best budget phones

The 5 best budget phones in 2022

LG C1 OLED TV - Best TVs

The best TVs: 4K, OLED, QLED and more

best laptops

The best laptops for work, gaming and more

Byteside mug ad
Twitter Twitch LinkedIn RSS Instagram Facebook
© 2022 Byteside Pty Ltd

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.