Does it matter what pci 16 slot i use for my graphics card?

holyprof

Distinguished
Dec 16, 2011
566
0
19,360
Unless the motherboard is based on a CPU with more than usual PCI-E lanes, the first PCI-E slot, next to the CPU is the only appropriate for a GPU. There are some motherboards that use a PLX chip (usually denominated "Gaming" or "SLI edition") with 2 16x PCI-E slots but even in those cases i recommend putting the graphics card on the first slot.
 

Ben Hoy

Reputable
Jun 26, 2014
39
0
4,530

i have a wifi card as i can not move my router and i cant have a dual slot graphics card but there is another 16 pci further down my motherboard can i use that instead or not?
 

clutchc

Titan
Ambassador

Again, it will depend on the make/model of the board as to how many lanes you will have available at that slot. Some boards with 2 slots are x16, x16. Some are x16, x8. Some are x16, x4. Some are x8, x8.
And it would be nice if you'd tell us your gfx card too.
 

Move the Wi-Fi card to the slot further away from the CPU, and put the video card in the long slot closest to the CPU.

A wi-fi card only needs 1 or 2 PCIe lanes. A video card needs 16. So make room for the video card in the first long slot or the cards performance will suffer.
 

holyprof

Distinguished
Dec 16, 2011
566
0
19,360


can you take a picture of your PC opened and supply the motherboard brand and model please?
 

clutchc

Titan
Ambassador


Lol... good luck. I've asked him twice.
 
I cannot explain it any clearer than this.

126bgwk.jpg