2nd PCI slot runs at 8x?

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alexjames89

New Member
Hey guys,

Sorry if this is a noob question:

I'm looking at getting a Mobo with 2 PCI express slots so I can add another ATI 4870 at some point in the future. Most of the Gigabyte ones I'm interested in say that the 2nd PCI express slot runs at 8x not 16x like the first one? Is this usual or should I be looking for a better mobo.

My planned system minus mobo is:
Intel Q6600
4gb OCZ DDRII 1066mhz RAM
500gb Samsung SATAII HDD
MSI HD4870
Antec Sonata Plus ATX with 550w PSU
Samsung 20x DVD drive
Zalman 9500A Cooler

Thanks for any advice!
 
A

alexjames89

New Member
I was looking at this one but am totally open to suggestions:

Gigabyte GA-EP45T-DS3R P45+ICH10R FSB1600MHz DDR3 1900MHz (O.C) PCI-E x16 2.0(CrossFireX) SATAII RAI
 
jjsevdt

jjsevdt

New Member
For a P45 chipset that's not normal. According to Intel's P45 over view they saw 2 PCI-e 2.0 connectors. You can read that here:
http://www.intel.com/Products/Desktop/Chipsets/P45/P45-overview.htm

That's not to say different manufacturers don't run different setups and change the amount of inputs. Looking over the newegg reviews it seems as though the board is quite a headache just to get it to boot up.

It shouldn't be that hard just to get the board to run stable brand new. I would persue another board, don't sell you self short.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128348
 
T

tyttebøvs

New Member
From P45 specs: PCI Express 1x16 or 2x8


And from the manual:

(Note 3) If you are installing one PCI Express graphics card, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16_1 slot
for optimum performance. When two graphics cards are installed, the PCIEX16_1 slot will
operate at up to x8 mode.
 
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