GA-P35-DS3P rev 2.1, using PSIE_16_2 as a x1 slot

[sjlb197]

I've been using this motherboard for some time with no probs. I have an NVIDIA 8800GT in PCIE_16_1, and some video editing hardware in two of the x1 slots. I wanted to buy a further card for the edit hardware, which also needs x1. The issue is that I have a double-height graphics card that blanks off the third x1 slot.

The 3 x1 slots on the board are shared with PCIE_16_2; I recently submitted a question to tech support, asking if I could put a x1 board in the PCIE_16_2 slot, while still being able to use the other 3 x1 slots. The answer came back from tech support, saying that a x1 card would be fine.

I've installed my x1 card in PCIE_16_2, and it makes the two cards installed in x1 slots disappear, so suggesting that the answer from tech was incorrect. Anyone able to shed any light?

Many thanks

[Dark Mantis]

I am not sure that I unstood your question correctly but if you are asking if it's alright to use a PCIe x1 card in a PCIe x16 slot then the answer is yes.

[sjlb197]

Sorry; to clarify, the question is whether the motherboard will allow the x1 slots that are shared with the PCIE_16_2 slot to be used at the same time as a x1 card in PCIE_16_2.

PCIE_16_2 gives x4 bandwidth; x3 from the three x1 slots, and x1 that is dedicated to PCIE_16_2. If I want the full x4 bandwidth from PCIE_16_2, then I cannot use the three x1 slots. Fair enough. However, as PCIE_16_2 has a dedicated x1 bus, can I use a x1 card in that slot, and still get the x3 bandwidth from the other three x1 slots?

[Dark Mantis]

I would have thought that the answer is yes from the information that you have given. If it is on a dedicated bus then there should be no trouble. I expect someone with some experience with this problem will have a definitive answer for you.