GA-Z97MX Gaming 5 PCIe slot question

[Count de Monet]

For a new project I need to use a Gigabyte mATX motherboard with a x1 PCIe slot and have chosen the above. Unfortunately the graphics card is a two slot design and when in use it obscures the x1 PCIe slot which I need to use. Will the graphics card work at full speed if installed in the bottom PCIe slot? (will it work at x16 speed if no card is present in the top x16 slot?)

The equipment I want to install into the x1 slot will only work in the x1 slot and NO other.

If this configuration is not possible can anyone suggest another Gigabyte mATX Z97 board with a x1 PCIe slot positioned towards the bottom of the board so it is not covered by a a dual slot graphics card.

Forgot to mention that I need 5.1 surround sound output as well.

[dmdilks]

The answer to your question it is NO. The 1st slot is x16 the 2nd slot is x8 and the last slot is x4. Sorry

[Fred155]

While correct that it will not work at x16, it's still a reasonable idea to try the x8 or x4  slot, and do a benchmark test.

Unless you have a top of the line card, it's very unlikely that the graphics card needs all the bandwidth of x16.

You might find that at x4 or x8 (if you can use the second last slot), depending on your configuration, graphics card, and games etc, you might not have any real world impact by stepping down in bus bandwidth.

I'd try both a synthetic test, such as unigene, as well as a couple of games.

It will also depend on whether your graphics card is PCIE 2 or 3, as that changes the bandwidth available at any x speed. (i.e. PCIE 2.0 x16 is slower than PCIE 3.0 x16)

[Fred155]

And also, can't you just put the x1 card in the last x4 slot?

My understanding is that a card can go in any PCIE slot, as long as the slot is the same size or longer.