What does one do when one runs out of PCI slots?
- Thread starter LordJezo
- Start date
just curious
how many slots do you have, and what is in them all that prompts you to ask such a question?
What is your layout that you ran out? list off your config and we'll see what we can suggest....
basically though, you're hosed
basically though, you're hosed
McW3rd. Offhand, I can think of:
2nd video card
Sound card
NIC
RAID
USB/IEEE1394
Modern ATX boards have 6 PCI slots. WTF do you have?
- M4H
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
McW3rd. Offhand, I can think of:
2nd video card
Sound card
NIC
RAID
USB/IEEE1394
Modern ATX boards have 6 PCI slots. WTF do you have?
- M4H
Well, I suppose you could also add the following to the list:
1. gameport or some other daughterboard for the sound card (the Audigy and Fortissimo series comes to mind).
2. Second NIC if you're running a server.
3. TV Tuner or FM/AM tuner (or both).
4. Modem (you wouldn't believe how many people are still on Dial-up.
Video card, sound card, network card. Then another slot is taken up by 2 extra usb ports (motherboard panel). Also, the way the case/mobo lines up not every slot can be used.
If the slots don't line up, either you have a case that doesnt conform to ATX standard, or its broken.
And concidering your Video card must be AGP (I hope?), then you have a motherboard with 3 PCI slots... If thats the case, you will have to get a proper motherboard with 5 or 6 PCI slots.
With modding you can free up the usb headers by cutting cutting a hole in the back of the case or something and. I dont know why motherboard companies dont but 4 usb ports on a single bracket im sure there is room, you can mod that too.
Also most NICs are half height so cut a usb hole on the unused side, and boom you got a NIC/ usb card.
And lets not forget external sound cards.
Also most NICs are half height so cut a usb hole on the unused side, and boom you got a NIC/ usb card.
And lets not forget external sound cards.
Or get a USB 2.0 hub and just unplug the 2-USB-ports, and you've got another usable PCI slot.
Do you need more than 1 more usable PCI slot?
Do you need more than 1 more usable PCI slot?
onboard soundOriginally posted by: MercenaryForHire
McW3rd. Offhand, I can think of:
2nd video card
Sound card
NIC
RAID
USB/IEEE1394
Modern ATX boards have 6 PCI slots. WTF do you have?
- M4H
onboard lan
onboard raid
onboard usb...i wasnt being an ass, i said i was curious as to what he had, thats all
in my pci slots i have...a sb live, and thats all. i know there are numerous things to put in pci slots, which, again, is why i asked what he had, out of pure curiosity
Either get a new mobo that has more onboard items(NIC,USB2.0,etc.) or get a new case that everything lines up correctly.
MDE
Lifer
- Jul 17, 2003
- 13,199
- 1
- 81
Asus spec page. Only 3 PCI slots, but there's almost everything onboard! Only things I could think of adding are FireWire\USB 2.0 card, SATA\RAID\SCSI card, maybe a second NIC, and maybe a sound card.
You can either replace the motherboard with one that has more things onboard, or you could start buying external USB devices for sound, NIC, and that would free up some slots. Or you could go with a video card that has dual monitor capability and free up a slot that way. It is probably cheaper to replace the motherboard and get rid of redundant cards.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes + WCL Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 22K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
News NVIDIA and Intel to Develop AI Infrastructure and Personal Computing Products- Started by poke01
- Replies: 400
Facebook
Twitter