pci lane question

[Mcthommo]

motherboard- Asus Maximus XI Formula
CPU- RTX3090

can I stick the GPU in the second PCI slot- is stated 16x- as my onboard sound is broken and I need to add in a SB card and the only slot is above the first PCI slot and wouldnt fit with the size of the GPU cooler

Its been years since I had to use a sound card and not sure it is still an issue these days

 

[SentineL-X]

You could always get an external DAC which connects via USB instead of an internal sound card?

 

[Captain_Bosh]

Short answer yes. But some motherboards limit the second PCI-E slot to 8x. Your manual should tell you. Saying that will not make a massive difference anyway.

USB sound cards are also an option like the Sound Blaster X3.

 

[TrojanWhore]

You can put the sound card in any of the PCIe x16 slots, not just the x1 slot at the top of the board.

 

[Mcthommo]

Have got an internal SB AE-5 plus to hand so cant do USB or external

So I should keep GPU in lane 1 and put SB card in lane 2?


Thanks for that!

 

[Purgatory]

Have got an internal SB AE-5 plus to hand so cant do USB or external

So I should keep GPU in lane 1 and put SB card in lane 2?


Thanks for that!

Looking at that motherboard.

Stick the gpu in the top slot (slot 2) and the sound card in bottom slot (slot 4).

 

[Mcthommo]

I forgot about the bottom lane!- should allow better airflow for the GPU
Appreciate the help guys