OK PC experts, I admit I know nothing so help appreciated:

I need to add firewire capability to my PC.

I have a spare low profile PCI Express slot - but cards seem expensive.

I could rip out my unused V92 fax/modem card to free a normal low profile PCI slot - cards seem much cheaper.

(1) Is there any advantage in using the express slot?

(2) Do I have to alter my PC's configuration in any way if I rip out the modem card?

How many PCIe lanes

Much of a muchness a PCIe x4 can support up to 10 F/Wire 800MB/s ports in theory a PCI slot can only support a few FW ports

Both work the only advantage a PCIe card has is you can move it to your next PC.

It's PCIe x1. I'll replace my modem then, I only need one connection - Express cards seem to be at least 3 times as expensive and they'll probably be obsolete by the time I get another PC!

Expresscard, or a PCI Express card?

Depends tbh, the PCIe one will go into the next PC you build PCIe 2 is just being released with double the data rate for a given lane width, however PCIe 1 cards will still work in these slots.

Yes, sorry, I meant in context express = PCIe. Just doesn't seem worth the extra cost TBH, cheers anyway.

No problem mate, reason i asked as express cards are the PCI express replacement for PCMCIA hence would be pretty pricey