Are PCI-E slots/cards backwards compatible like PCI-X?

[MichaelD]

I'm pretty sure the answer is "NO" but thought I'd ask. I've got my eye on a PCI-E SATA RAID card, but it needs a 4x slot. The only thing I've got open are 1x slots.

Will the card work in the 1x slot, albiet at a slower speed, ala PCI-X?

If "no", methinks I need a new MB.

*edit*

Well, it looks like I need a new motherboard. The card in question (3Ware 9650SE-4) will only work in a 4x or higher slot. See page 12, here.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
I'm pretty sure the answer is "NO" but thought I'd ask. I've got my eye on a PCI-E SATA RAID card, but it needs a 4x slot. The only thing I've got open are 1x slots.

Will the card work in the 1x slot, albiet at a slower speed, ala PCI-X?

If "no", methinks I need a new MB.

It depends upon the controller. I have a 8xPCIe RAID controller, but it functions in 4x (possibly 1x, I'd have to look it up). I would check out the manual for the RAID controller you are interested in, or e-mail the manufacturer.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo

Originally posted by: MichaelD
I'm pretty sure the answer is "NO" but thought I'd ask. I've got my eye on a PCI-E SATA RAID card, but it needs a 4x slot. The only thing I've got open are 1x slots.

Will the card work in the 1x slot, albiet at a slower speed, ala PCI-X?

If "no", methinks I need a new MB.

It depends upon the controller. I have a 8xPCIe RAID controller, but it functions in 4x (possibly 1x, I'd have to look it up). I would check out the manual for the RAID controller you are interested in, or e-mail the manufacturer.

Wow, exactly the kind of reply I was hoping for. :beer: Thanks, FMC.

Does your 8x card have a 16x connector, ala a videocard? And it's sitting in a 4x slot? What MB do you have? I'm searching the Egg right now for a possible new board.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo

Originally posted by: MichaelD
I'm pretty sure the answer is "NO" but thought I'd ask. I've got my eye on a PCI-E SATA RAID card, but it needs a 4x slot. The only thing I've got open are 1x slots.

Will the card work in the 1x slot, albiet at a slower speed, ala PCI-X?

If "no", methinks I need a new MB.

It depends upon the controller. I have a 8xPCIe RAID controller, but it functions in 4x (possibly 1x, I'd have to look it up). I would check out the manual for the RAID controller you are interested in, or e-mail the manufacturer.

Wow, exactly the kind of reply I was hoping for. :beer: Thanks, FMC.

Does your 8x card have a 16x connector, ala a videocard? And it's sitting in a 4x slot? What MB do you have? I'm searching the Egg right now for a possible new board.

I did a lot of research for my current build. I wanted a mobo that could do SLI AND have an available 8X PCIe slot for a RAID controller. I have a ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus, which is basd on the 680i chipset. The slot is a 8X PCIe slot, and it wired as an 8X. Some mobos have 8X or 16X slots that are physically wired as 4X slots. The machine is Chromatic Chocobo, and it's specs & pics are in my sig if you are interested.

 

[Twsmit]

I don't believe they will work with the end "hanging out" but I know that they absolutely work putting a smaller card such as a electrical 1x or 4x card into a 8x or 16x sized slot.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks a lot. NICE rig! :thumbsup: I've always liked the Supermicro cages...just wish their pedestal chassis were a little more silent...I'd have gotten one a long time ago.

I'll probably email 3Ware and ask them about the card and the connection. Their CS is usually very good.

BTW, here's the card in question. 3Ware 9650SE