PCI Express slot question

MythicaL · Jul 12, 2010, 12:01 AM

I'm going to be purchasing an 802.11n NIC pretty soon, but I have the choice between a PCI or PCI Express interface. Now, on my motherboard (680i SLI) there are two small PCI Express slots for add-in cards, but one is covered up by my huge graphics card, and the other is too close to the northbridge fan.

My question: is it possible to put an add-on card like this...

... into a slot realistically designed for a graphics card? Here's where I would place it on the motherboard:

My sound card sits in the very left PCI slot, and my graphics card takes up the far right black PCI Express slot, so placing the NIC in the place I have marked would be very fortunate. Is this possible? I never considered this scenario until last night.

mkk · Jul 12, 2010, 12:43 AM

Generally speaking, yes it's possible. However there have been exceptions where a motherboard can have limitations. Especially considering there's an Nvidia chip set involved I'd consult the motherboard manual extra carefully. If you don't have the manual at hand, it should be downloadable from the manufacturer.

MythicaL · Jul 12, 2010, 02:34 AM

Thanks for the reply. I found out that the NIC claims: "Fits any standard PCI Express slot x1, x4, x8, or x16".

This was the best thing I could find from the manual:

Doesn't say I can't do it, but that's not saying much.

I already knew the black slots were for SLIing graphics cards, and the blue slot is more for expansion, such a physics card. But it still seems awkward to stick a 1x card into a 16x slot. I wonder if it'd be a safer bet to just get a PCI NIC.

dipstick · Jul 12, 2010, 04:23 AM

It should work just fine; I run my nic and sound card in full size slots without any issues. The only negative I can see is that the board might drop the other slots to 8x but that is something you have to check on in the manual.

Takaharu · Jul 12, 2010, 07:56 AM

Unlike AGP, the longer PCI-E slots are not dedicated to graphics cards and nothing else. Using PCI-E x1 cards, reportedly, work just fine.

Matth · Jul 12, 2010, 04:12 PM

HEXUS.net - Review :: eVGA nForce 680i SLI LGA775 motherboard : Page - 2/8
Looks like the two black x16's are X16, and the blue is X8 (for the PHYSX card in a fully loaded SLI).

So it would appear there should be no dropping to X8, and it seems pretty much accepted that you can use shorter X cards in longer slots.

MythicaL · Jul 15, 2010, 06:44 PM

Thanks, I guess I'll try it out.

***Veridian3*** · Jul 15, 2010, 09:13 PM

Your NIC should fit in the top 1x slot fine (provided its similar to the one in the pic) unless you have changed the fan from the bundled 680i one.

Jul 12, 2010, 12:01 AM	#1
MythicaL I like computers. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In front of a monitor Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	PCI Express slot question I'm going to be purchasing an 802.11n NIC pretty soon, but I have the choice between a PCI or PCI Express interface. Now, on my motherboard (680i SLI) there are two small PCI Express slots for add-in cards, but one is covered up by my huge graphics card, and the other is too close to the northbridge fan. My question: is it possible to put an add-on card like this... ... into a slot realistically designed for a graphics card? Here's where I would place it on the motherboard: My sound card sits in the very left PCI slot, and my graphics card takes up the far right black PCI Express slot, so placing the NIC in the place I have marked would be very fortunate. Is this possible? I never considered this scenario until last night. __________________ Always knew I didn't belong in this world. I wasn't made for this. But I'll never forget those who betrayed me, and those who never failed my trust.

Jul 12, 2010, 12:43 AM	#2
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,490 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	Re: PCI Express slot question Generally speaking, yes it's possible. However there have been exceptions where a motherboard can have limitations. Especially considering there's an Nvidia chip set involved I'd consult the motherboard manual extra carefully. If you don't have the manual at hand, it should be downloadable from the manufacturer.

Jul 12, 2010, 02:34 AM	Thread Starter #3
MythicaL I like computers. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In front of a monitor Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	Re: PCI Express slot question Thanks for the reply. I found out that the NIC claims: "Fits any standard PCI Express slot x1, x4, x8, or x16". This was the best thing I could find from the manual: Doesn't say I can't do it, but that's not saying much. I already knew the black slots were for SLIing graphics cards, and the blue slot is more for expansion, such a physics card. But it still seems awkward to stick a 1x card into a 16x slot. I wonder if it'd be a safer bet to just get a PCI NIC. __________________ Always knew I didn't belong in this world. I wasn't made for this. But I'll never forget those who betrayed me, and those who never failed my trust.

Jul 12, 2010, 04:23 AM	#4
dipstick HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,609 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	Re: PCI Express slot question It should work just fine; I run my nic and sound card in full size slots without any issues. The only negative I can see is that the board might drop the other slots to 8x but that is something you have to check on in the manual.

Jul 12, 2010, 07:56 AM	#5
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,847 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Re: PCI Express slot question Unlike AGP, the longer PCI-E slots are not dedicated to graphics cards and nothing else. Using PCI-E x1 cards, reportedly, work just fine. __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Jul 12, 2010, 04:12 PM	#6
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Re: PCI Express slot question HEXUS.net - Review :: eVGA nForce 680i SLI LGA775 motherboard : Page - 2/8 Looks like the two black x16's are X16, and the blue is X8 (for the PHYSX card in a fully loaded SLI). So it would appear there should be no dropping to X8, and it seems pretty much accepted that you can use shorter X cards in longer slots. __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Jul 15, 2010, 06:44 PM	Thread Starter #7
MythicaL I like computers. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In front of a monitor Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	Re: PCI Express slot question Thanks, I guess I'll try it out. __________________ Always knew I didn't belong in this world. I wasn't made for this. But I'll never forget those who betrayed me, and those who never failed my trust.

Jul 15, 2010, 09:13 PM	#8
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 5,028 Rep Power: 181	Re: PCI Express slot question Your NIC should fit in the top 1x slot fine (provided its similar to the one in the pic) unless you have changed the fan from the bundled 680i one.