Unlocking Your PC’s Potential: A Guide to PCIe Slots and Their Diverse Uses
In the ever-evolving world of personal computing, the trend towards miniaturization is undeniable. Laptops, mini-PCs, and all-in-one systems are gaining popularity for their portability and space-saving design. However, the classic desktop tower, especially those built around the ATX motherboard standard, remains a favorite among enthusiasts and power users. These larger systems offer unparalleled customization and expansion options, and at the heart of this versatility lies the often-underappreciated PCIe slot.
If you’ve ever built your own PC or peered inside a gaming rig, you’ve likely encountered PCIe slots. These slots are primarily recognized as the home for graphics cards, the component responsible for rendering the visuals that grace your screen. Replacing the GPU can be a real pain, especially when trying to navigate the retention tab on the PCIe slot. But beyond graphics cards, PCIe slots possess a utility that extends far beyond graphics cards. The possibilities are virtually limitless, and by ignoring their potential, you’re missing out on a wealth of extra power and useful functionality. The upcoming PCIe Gen 7 standard promises even faster performance, making PCIe slots an increasingly important asset for both gaming rigs and professional workstations.
Beyond Graphics: Exploring the World of PCIe Add-in Cards
Let’s delve into some of the most useful card types you can plug into your PCIe slots, and explore how to harness their capabilities.
Understanding PCIe Slot Configurations
If you have a desktop PC with an mATX motherboard or larger, you’ll likely have multiple PCIe slots at your disposal. The topmost slot typically operates at PCIe x16, providing 16 data lanes – ideal for bandwidth-intensive components like graphics cards. A secondary slot might run at PCIe x8, offering half the bandwidth, which is why the primary slot should always be reserved for your GPU. Smaller PCIe slots, operating at x1 or x4, are designed for low-bandwidth add-in cards.
The Graphics Card Myth: PCIe Isn’t Just for GPUs
The graphics card is undeniably the most well-known PCIe add-in. Some users mistakenly believe that PCIe slots are exclusively for GPUs.
There was a time when multi-GPU setups were hyped as the next big thing for gaming. Now Nvidia’s SLI technology for linking GPUs is no longer supported. This doesn’t mean you can’t leverage a second high-performance GPU for non-gaming tasks. Graphics and 3D applications, along with video editing software like DaVinci Resolve, can effectively utilize multiple GPUs for enhanced performance.
Resource-intensive tasks represent the best use case for multiple GPUs today. However, for gaming or streaming, a second GPU is usually overkill, causing more problems than it solves. The extra space and PCIe slots occupied could be better used for other add-ins.
Considerations for Multi-GPU Setups
If you decide to add a second GPU, it’s important to consider some caveats. On most ATX motherboards, installing two GPUs will limit each to x8 speeds, even when plugged into x16 slots. Only select workstation or high-end models can achieve higher speeds.
Moreover, thermals are crucial in multi-GPU configurations for video editing or 3D rendering. Modern GPU coolers are large and powerful, and a blower-style design may be preferable for multi-GPU setups. The top GPU is especially vulnerable to decreased airflow, potentially leading to overheating.
If you water-cool your GPUs, you may even be able to go beyond two GPUs, provided your motherboard supports it. Some applications can leverage three or more GPUs, and water cooling minimizes the risk of overheating.
Storage Solutions: Unleash Blazing-Fast Performance
Beyond graphics, storage represents another compelling use for your PCIe slots. Ultra-fast PCIe storage cards are available for both gamers and workstation users. Some NVMe PCIe add-in cards can run at x16 and support up to eight NVMe drives in an array for unparalleled performance.
With modern games exceeding 100GB in size, ample storage is no longer just a concern for video editors and data hoarders. If your motherboard has free PCIe slots after installing your GPU, consider adding a PCIe storage card. These cards can range from single-drive solutions to multi-drive arrays, offering significant high-speed storage.
Some high-end motherboards, such as the ASUS ROG Hero line, include a PCIe NVMe card for added storage. Maximizing your motherboard’s PCIe allocation can unlock serious storage gains.
The Advantages of Internal PCIe Storage
Internal PCIe storage offers two key advantages.
First, it reduces cable clutter and physical space occupied by external drives.
Second, internal PCIe storage is significantly faster. Even the fastest external drives are limited to the 40Gbps speeds of Thunderbolt 4 and USB4, which is around 5,000MB/s. PCIe Gen 4 drives can reach a theoretical maximum of 8,000MB/s, while PCIe Gen 5 drives can reach a blazing-fast 14,000MB/s.
PCIe storage also isn’t limited to NVMe. Other SSDs and storage types can be used, and RAID configurations can be created for data backups. This is a cost-effective alternative to more expensive Thunderbolt or USB-C solutions.
If you’re interested in a PCIe storage card, consider the Asus Hyper PCIe 4.0 expansion card, which supports four Gen 4 NVMe drives, or the Asus Hyper PCIe 5.0 expansion card, which supports up to four Gen 4 or Gen 5 NVMe drives. Always verify compatibility before buying a PCIe card.
Audio Enhancement: The Niche of PCIe Sound Cards
PCIe sound cards might seem outdated, and for many, they are. However, niche areas like professional audio work and specialized gaming scenarios still benefit from dedicated sound cards. The Apple Mac Pro even emphasizes PCIe slots for audio and video professionals.
A PCIe sound card offers high-quality audio that may not be achievable with onboard audio solutions. These cards often have extra inputs and surround sound capabilities and are less prone to interference due to their separate unit from the motherboard.
PCIe sound cards are typically small, making them compatible with smaller PCIe slots and freeing up larger lanes for other add-in cards.
While PCIe sound cards cater to a niche market, they remain relevant for audio professionals and audiophiles. High-end PCIe audio interfaces like the HDX PCIe Core Card by Avid Pro Tools can cost thousands of dollars, designed for real-time mixing and processing in professional audio projects.
For audiophiles, consumer-oriented options like the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX PCIe 5.1 or the Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus gaming sound card are effective ways to utilize unused PCIe slots.
Capture Cards: Record and Stream with Precision
A capture card ingests external audio/video sources for recording, editing, or streaming on platforms like Twitch or YouTube. It’s ideal for capturing footage from cameras or gaming consoles in real-time and making it accessible to your PC.
PCIe slots are well-suited for capture cards because their high data speeds can handle high-resolution, high-frame-rate video without bottlenecks. The Elgato 4K Pro is a popular PCIe capture card for gamers who record and stream.
While USB capture cards like the Elgato HD60 X are available, internal PCIe capture cards offer lower latency, higher resolution and frame rate support, and save on desktop space. If you’re a gaming content creator, a PCIe capture card is a worthwhile addition.
Professionals also benefit from PCIe capture cards. The DeckLink 8K Pro G2 by Blackmagic Design can capture 8K footage at high frame rates in professional formats with 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 video and full Rec. 2020 color.
Additional Options: USB, Network, and Beyond
If you have empty PCIe slots and aren’t sure what to use them for, consider adding more USB ports or a Thunderbolt PCIe card (if your motherboard supports it).
You might also consider a PCIe network card. Even with built-in Wi-Fi on many motherboards, PCIe network cards can add Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities affordably, allowing you to forgo Ethernet. The TP-Link AX3000 PCIe card supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
PCIe network cards are available in various speeds, offering opportunities to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7. The TP-Link BE9300 PCIe card is a tri-band adapter supporting Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
As you can see, PCIe slots offer diverse ways to enhance your PC and add new functionality. If your motherboard has unused PCIe slots, explore the possibilities and unlock the full potential of your system!
