Can a PCI-E 1x card work in a 16x slot?

[Nexworks]

Like on an SLI motherboard, if im only running 1 video card, can the 2nd PCI-E 16x slot be used for non graphics cards such as a TV tuner?

 

[arcenite]

The slots aren't even the same size...

 

[skooma]

Yes, you can.

 

[Nexworks]

Sure they are, the 16x slot is simply longer. Physically a 1x card should fit no problem. Same goes with fitting a 1x card into a 4x slot. Im just asking if it would work or not.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: arcenite
The slots aren't even the same size...

Very true. BUT, 66/100/133MHz PCI SCSI cards are not the same size as regular 33MHz PCI slots, yet most of those big cards are backwards compatible (but will run at reduced speed) with the smaller 33MHz PCI slot. 🙂

Hmm. I need to research the answer more.

 

[Nexworks]

Reason I ask this is because of pages like these:

http://www.anandtech.com/tradeshows/showdoc.aspx?i=2779&p=4

Where it mentions the GA-965P-DS4 . The 2nd PCI-E 16x slot actually runs at 4x speeds. Nobody would really want to run a SLI setup this way. Hence im wondering if that slot could simply be used for regular 1x cards instead.

 

[krotchy]

Basically... PCI-e is 100% backwards compatible.

16x fits 8x,4x,1x and of course 16x
8x and 4x BOTH fit 8x,4x and 1x in their slots. 8x devices work in 4x slots at reduced speeds according to the PCI-e design.
1x slots only fit 1x devices.

The whole point of PCI-e was to make a very easy to use socket.

The problem with PCI-X and PCI is that they were not always backwards compatible. There are 3v and 5V slots, 33/66/100/133 Mhz PCI-X, 33MHZ only PCI-X and all these different slots that are just a little different. Most companies try to make their cards compatible with both voltages and all speed slots, but this is not always the case. It should be backwards compatible to 3.3 and 5V but its really up to the card company.

In essence, if PCI/PCI-X were completely destroyed I would be happy. Give me 2 16x graphics cards, a 4x sound card, 8x SCSI Controller and a 1x Wirless card and I can lay them out pretty well in a mobo with no PCI LEgacy slots.

 

[Nexworks]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Smartazz]

It would, but I would never waste a 16x slot on a 1x card.

 

[acole1]

Originally posted by: Smartazz
It would, but I would never waste a 16x slot on a 1x card.

😕 Why not? if you arn't using it, then that is a waste in itself. You might as well use it for 1x or something else rather than not use it at all.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: acole1

Originally posted by: Smartazz
It would, but I would never waste a 16x slot on a 1x card.

😕 Why not? if you arn't using it, then that is a waste in itself. You might as well use it for 1x or something else rather than not use it at all.

That's true, but most motherboards that have SLI are loaded with pci-e 1x slots also.
edit: I forgot to add that if I had an SLI mobo, I'd probobly use SLI, but then again maybe you don't want to spend so much for SLI.