Using the PCIe 2.0 x16 slot, but not for video cards (H55 and H57 chipsets)

[noced]

Hi all,

I think that the answer to this question is *yes*, but I want to make sure before I make an investment. Can the PCIe 2.0 x16 slot in H55/H57 motherboards be used for add-on cards like SATA III controllers, and other things that are NOT video cards? Has anyone had real world experience with this? I've seen a few web sites refer to them as "PCIe 2.0 Graphics" slots, which sounds like the answer would be *no*.

Example motherboard:
http://gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3442

Thanks.

 

[Rifter]

There is no way to be sure. It should work since PCIe specs say it should but thats not always the case. Some mobos will indeed only accept graphics cards in the first PCIe slot.

For example i asked foxconn if my board would accept non graphics cards in my second 16X "graphics" slot and they honestly told me it should work but we cant guantee it, great the people that make my board cant tell me, how bad is that.... Anyways on my board it does work, i have tried a Intel 1x PCIe gigabit NIC and a Asus Xonar STX also 1x PCIe and they both work fine in the 16x "graphics" slots.

Also tested a Asus M3A78-EM and it works just fine with non GPU's in the 16x slot.

I think that 95% of the time it will work its just a few boards that will have issues and i think most of them are bios related, poorly written bios only setup for GPU's in 16x slot.

I think if you buy from a known company such as Asus or Gigabyte you will be fine but hearing someone chime in with that exact board would be very reasuring im sure 🙂.

 

[llee]

Of course they can, just like you can get USB or Firewire cards for PCI interfaces. The PCIe interface just has a higher bandwidth, it isn't designed exclusively for graphics cards.

Some boards are funky though, it's best to check before you buy. Most of the time you wont have an issue though.