quick and stupid question

Reaper 392 · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:31

im just wondering is there anything stopping you from putting a PCIe x1 card into a PCIe X16 slot (even if the slot is running at PCIe X4 or X8 speed)

im asking because im recommending that someone gets this mATX motherboard but if he adds any graphics card the only PCIe X1 slot will be covered, and i dont want them to have no options for expansion cards

Gammawolf · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:39

According to Wikipedia you can: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express#Physical_layer

"a PCIe card will physically fit (and work correctly) in any slot that is at least as large as it is (e.g., an ×1 sized card will work in any sized slot);"

But I've not tried this myself, so can't comment on it from experience.

Reaper 392 · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:41

ah cool. i thought it would, but i thought i ought to check first

robin66 · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:41

Same, I've not tried it, but the cards do physically fit.

OrWolf · 4 Jun 2011 at 13:57

I ran a pcie x 1 network card on a x4 speed slot with a gigabyte 775 mobo, for just over 12 months without issue. Cant see a problem for your friend using the x16 slot.

MeatLoaf · 4 Jun 2011 at 14:13

Yes you can i had a PCI-E x1 TV card in an x16 slot. Before i got my current soundcard i also ran a x1 soundcard in the x16 slot also

Curunen · 5 Jun 2011 at 23:05

I've been running a pci-e usb 3 expansion card in a x16 slot no problem.