Installation of PCI-E x16 video card

[pwdbyhonda]

I am migrating to PCI Express for the first time. Never used it before. Anyway, I just ordered

Biostar 790GX
Silverstone LC13B-E case
4850 Radeon

The Newegg reviews say that for extra long cards, the middle drive cage has to be removed. However, I see more value for the corner or side cage to be removed because I don't use a floppy drive and the middle drive cage has a fan option that I would like to use. So I was wondering whether it matters which of the 2 PCI-E x16 clots I use on the mobo? Can I use the slot that is off-center/side and remove the corner/side drive cage?

Here is the manual for the case:
http://www.silverstonetek.com/...hp?pno=LC13-E&area=usa

 

[lopri]

First x16 slot is always preferable although in theory it shouldn't really matter. If you install the card in the 2nd x16 slot, the board will split the bandwidth to the two x16 slots, so electrically you will have x8/x8. While x8 bandwidth is enough for today's video cards:

1) Motherboard vendors often assume that users will use the first x16 slot for video, and optimize/prioritize that slot for such.
2) In the same context, I've even seen a malfunctioning motherboard if video card is installed in the 2nd slot and some other device is installed in the 1st slot. I hate to see things like this but it's a reality.. (even Intel's own X38 board was like this - if video card is installed in the 2nd slot the 1st x16 slot was rendered useless. To be correct, though, X38 is electrically x16/x16)
3) Usually the 2nd x16 slot is farther from NB/CPU than the 1st x16 slot, which means the latency can be increased.

Said that, well-designed and well-built motherboards will handle all PCIe slots just as well as the 1st one. I myself have been using a single video card installed in a x8 slot on many boards without an issue. I suggest the best way to determine is to test it out yourself. Run a few synthetic benches and play a couple games and see if there is any difference.

 

[Creig]

Can't get much better advice than that. I vote lopri for Motherboard Moderator!

 

[Red Irish]

The case you are going for seems to have the same internal layout as the lc17 I recommended on this thread:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2300559&enterthread=y

Providing your HD 4850 is no longer than the Club 3d model I recommended on the other thread, you should have no problem using any of the slots.