Would a graphics card work in my bottom PCIE slot?

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blujadajhdja

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Just curious is all. Currently using a Z97 Extreme6, there's a x16 slot on the very bottom. I'm wondering if I could use a GPU in that, it doesn't matter to me if the lane isn't actually running at x16, but it looks like my USB header and all my other stuff would block the card if I tried to put it in. Is there enough clearance or is there another way to make it so that it does fit or will it just not be able to be put in the bottom slot?
 
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Damn_Rookie
You really don't want to try. Ignoring the issues with blocking the various headers below the final x16 slot if you use a card that isn't single slot for a moment (and yes, there would likely be trouble), that final slot only operates at x2 mode, and that's at PCIe 2.0 transfer rates through the chipset, unlike the other x16 slots that are at PCIe 3.0.

Only having two 2.0 PCIe lanes would be a significant bottleneck on all but the weakest of cards, so if at all possible, use the top x16 slot (which runs at x16 mode), or the middle slot (that only runs at x8 mode, even when the top x16 slot is empty).
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Damn_Rookie

Damn_Rookie

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Feb 21, 2014
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You really don't want to try. Ignoring the issues with blocking the various headers below the final x16 slot if you use a card that isn't single slot for a moment (and yes, there would likely be trouble), that final slot only operates at x2 mode, and that's at PCIe 2.0 transfer rates through the chipset, unlike the other x16 slots that are at PCIe 3.0.

Only having two 2.0 PCIe lanes would be a significant bottleneck on all but the weakest of cards, so if at all possible, use the top x16 slot (which runs at x16 mode), or the middle slot (that only runs at x8 mode, even when the top x16 slot is empty).
 
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blujadajhdja

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Meh, the reason I was curious about this was because I didn't want to cram a dual-card air cooled config right next to each other. I guess I need a higher end motherboard to space them out. Thanks for the info.
 
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Damn_Rookie

Damn_Rookie

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No worries, glad to help :)

Wait a sec, unless my eyes are failing me, the top two x16 slots do have an extra space between them, so two cards wouldn't be directly on top of each other. Being a standard ATX board which is based around 7 expansion slots (I'm talking about the length of the board here, not the actual number of expansion slots on this particular board, as there are some gaps), the first card would take up the 2 and 3 slots, and the second card would take up the 5 and 6 slots, so you do get a gap between them.

ASRock-Z97-Extreme6-Motherboard-Released-with-7-1-Channel-Purity-Audio-439318-2.jpg
 
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blujadajhdja

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Well, there is a gap, but the cards are still pretty close to each other when you actually put them in. What I wanted to do was skip one slot altogether and use the first and third, I heard that the temperatures get a lot better, but it can only be accomplished without any setbacks when you use a higher end motherboard (such as the 4-way SLI ones).
 
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Damn_Rookie

Damn_Rookie

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Ahh, I see!

Yes, as you say, to do what you desire would indeed likely require a motherboard designed for 4-way SLI, and of course Z97 ones of those don't come cheap. You could certainly try it with your current board, and see just how much of a temperature difference the extra card makes to the top card (which will naturally be the hotter of the two); there are many people who run SLI and Crossfire with card spacing like that, but of course there are other variables at play, like case airflow, graphics card cooler type, and personal tolerance levels when it comes to temperature and noise.

Still, sounds like you're knowledgeable about this topic, so I wish you luck with whatever direction you choose to take your computer!
 
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