what exactly is a half height pci card?

and what can they be used for.regular pci cards?my buddy is looking for a pc and he came across this in one that he is looking at.can any pci car go in it?and whay make it half height?
thanks people
norm

 

A half-height PCI card is simply one that is only half as high as a full height card. Lots of modem and network cards are half height, just because they don't NEED to be full sized to hold all the components needed. The PCI slot and the metal bracket that hooks to the case are full sized. In a standard computer, the only advantage is airflow. If you put a half-height card just below your video card, there's less restriction in airflow to the vid card's fan. Other than that, it makes no difference.

Now, if that computer your friend is looking at REQUIRES half-height cards, it is probably a small crowded case with non-standard format where things are very cramped. I'd avoid that like the plague if he plans on trying to upgrad things.

 

My friend has a half height vid card, its a Radeon card i think, its not bad.. but not brilliant either. Good for space saving cases, where you need to keep good airflow due to restricted space. What GT said