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x8 slot GPU?

G

Grayson

n00b
Joined
Oct 1, 2017
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My mobo does not have an x16 slot. Does anyone make x8 slot GPUs these days? Need one with HDMI. Thanks.
 
Grayson said:
My mobo does not have an x16 slot. Does anyone make x8 slot GPUs these days? Need one with HDMI. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Is the back end of the slot open? If not, you can trim the plastic down from the back end of the slot and stick any x16 video card in there, and it'll run at x8.
 
To clarify Brandalo's post here is an open ended pci-e x1.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PCIe_J1900_SoC_ITX_Mainboard_IMG_1820.JPG
You can see that moving away from the keyed slot the end is not closed off, so you can fit any pci-e card in there, it will simply function at slower speeds.

I don't know if its part of the PCIe spec, but it seems most cards will function with less pcie lanes. If your slot is not open ended and if you protect the motherboard well (maybe put down some small plate or a bunch of masking tape) you can simply cut the end open with some tools.
 
I don't recommend modifying your board if you aren't handy with tools or don't trust yourself to not break things.
 
Is it a physical x16 slot that is only wired for x8 or is it an actual x8 slot both physically and electrically?

If its a physical x16 but wired for x8, then you can plug a regular video card into it just fine.

I've yet to see a video card with a pysical and electrical x8 plug on it. Scratch that, I've now seen there is a such thing per above posts. They do make them with x1 plugs since there is enough demand for them in SFF and embedded systems where you simply need to add more monitors to a workstation. Those cards are by no means useful for gaming.

That being said, you can get adapter cables. Cards really don't need the full bandwidth provided by x16 and will perform within a small percentage of a ful x16 slot. The limitation is the physical plug itself, as the card will automatically negotiate to a lower slot speed when the interface is lower.

If your slot is closed ended then you will need an adapter cable, a card with PCIe x1 interface on it, or you will have to physically modify it yourself by cutting out the plastic to make an open ended connector.


If your slot is open ended like this one (2nd slot in pic), you can plug in a regular x16 video card:

pcie.jpg
 
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Bandalo said:
Is the back end of the slot open? If not, you can trim the plastic down from the back end of the slot and stick any x16 video card in there, and it'll run at x8.
Click to expand...

This. It is very easy with an appropriately sized file. Be sure to take the motherboard out of the case first and to clean the slot thoroughly afterwards. However, you should also check that the card will actually fit: there may be chips behind the x8 slot that will prevent the GPU from sitting correctly.

Not so easy but also possible is to cut off part of the tab on the GPU.
 
Grayson said:
The back of the slots are not open. Has anyone modded one before?
Click to expand...

It's super easy, just pull the board out of the case first and be careful to only cut the plastic. Go slow, don't rush yourself. I've done it with a file once, and an X-Acto knife in another case. The file is way less likely to damage anything.
 
PCI video card? Although they are pricey for what they are. If you are ballsy, try cutting the back end of the x4 slot open as discussed above.

Another approach... what kind of motherboard are we talking about? If your goal is any kind of real GPU power, ie: games, you should look at a different mobo, perhaps an inexpensive used one.
 
I think I'll watch eBay for a while and see if I can get a cheap gt710. Otherwise, I might try modding the motherboard.
 
You could use a PCIe extender (commonly found in mining rigs) that converts PCIex1 to x16. Wouldn't look pretty but would prevent you from having to file away at stuff on your mobo.

Make sure it's a powered one like this
 
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Net Prowler said:
You could use a PCIe extender (commonly found in mining rigs) that converts PCIex1 to x16. Wouldn't look pretty but would prevent you from having to file away at stuff on your mobo.

Make sure it's a powered one like this
Click to expand...

Thanks. I may look into that.
 
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You don't need the full bandwidth of x16, right? With the PCIe extender, you would only being getting x1. This would be fine for basic video output and maybe (MAYBE) rendering depending on the program and type. Not the best for gaming though.
 
Net Prowler said:
You don't need the full bandwidth of x16, right? With the PCIe extender, you would only being getting x1. This would be fine for basic video output and maybe (MAYBE) rendering depending on the program and type. Not the best for gaming though.
Click to expand...

No gaming, just output.
 
If anyone else comes across this thread, here is a list of cards I have found that will fit in x8 or smaller slot. I am sure there are a lot more:

geforce 8400
gt 630
gt 710
gt 730

hd 4350
hd 5450
r5 330
 
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