Any Affordable PCI-E x1 Card?

Slaimus

Senior member
Sep 24, 2000
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Is there a PCI-E x1 card that is under $50? I need one for my Intel SS4200 NAS box which is completely headless, but has a PCI-E x1 slot.

If not, can I "cut off" the extra connectors to convert a X16 card to X1?
 

frostedflakes

Diamond Member
Mar 1, 2005
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Actually you can just cut off the extra signal wires. Or at least I know it works with some cards, because I've seen it done successfully before.

You might check and see if Matrox or some other manufacturers have x1 cards available. I know Matrox cards can be kind of expensive, though. If you don't mind doing the cutting, grabbing a cheap ATI or nVidia card would probably be your best bet.

edit: Looks like there are a couple ATI x1 cards on NewEgg. The prices are ridiculous, though. Both are HD4350, and they're like 3x more expensive than their PCI-E x16 counterparts. :/

Definitely looks like buying a cheapie and cutting the connector is your best bet.
 
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zuffy

Senior member
Feb 28, 2000
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Doubt you will find one for under $100. If you have a PCI slot, you are better off get a PCI video card.
 

RU482

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
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damn, tiger direct used to have a PCIe 1x video card for ~$24.99, but no more
 

jdjbuffalo

Senior member
Oct 26, 2000
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I know they used to have cheap PCI-Express 1x but I can't seem to find any on Newegg or elsewhere.

One thing you could do is pickup a 16x to 1x adapter for $30 and then just get a cheap $25 - $35 standard PCI-Express 16x video card. Here is the one Newegg is selling: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-157-_-Product

I think these thinks are way overpriced and should be $5 but it's probably your cheapest option.
 

SHAQ

Senior member
Aug 5, 2002
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It's easier to melt the end of the 1x connector than to clip the card if you go that route. Newegg has a 16x to 1x adapter you can use. But it is about $30 by itself.
 

Slaimus

Senior member
Sep 24, 2000
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It looks like the Best Buy card is mislabelled, and is really a x16 card according to reviews. I am trying to avoid modding the motherboard since it is proprietary, so if I mess up I pretty much have to get a whole new box.
 
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Slaimus

Senior member
Sep 24, 2000
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I think I will buy a PCI-E x1 riser, and mod the connector on the riser to avoid messing with the motherboard.

BTW this is what the box looks like:

Intel_SS4200-E_open_right.jpg
 
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SHAQ

Senior member
Aug 5, 2002
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okay but you only had to melt the end of the connector with the tip of a soldering iron. Melt it only enough to fit the card in the slot and you could get the cheapest passive cooling card you can find. They also have a 1x to PCI riser so you can use a cheap PCI card.