Having troubling placing my wireless PCIE card

[chefreinhold]

 

 

Hi guys,

I have a TP Link T6E PCIE card but I'm having some trouble fitting it into my system. My motherboard is a Asrock z87 Pro3 and I'm running Windows 10 (Fall update). This doesn't seem like it should be complicated, but I can't seem to get it right. Here's what I have tried so far.

PCIE1 Slot: The card fits here but the heatsink is quite close to the back of the GPU. I wonder how safe this is. See the attached photo. I've pressed on the wireless card and it's not going anywhere near the gpu back plate unless I attack it with a hammer (and I don't plan on doing that anytime soon!). I'm also wondering if this has any adverse effects on my GPU power as someone mentioned online somewhere that nothing should go into PCIE1 if you have a GPU in PCIE2. I'm not sure exactly what was meant by it.

PCIE2 (x16): The GPU (dual slot) sits here for obvious reasons

PCIE3 Slot: I have tried this. The PC detected it, but it seems very, very close to the GPU fans, and is essentially covering one half of one of them. It's a dual fan GPU and I would worry about airflow.

PCIE4 Slot: This would look like the ideal solution, but when I press the card in I notice that the wireless' heat-sink presses against the Front Panel Audio Header/Cable. This could be harmless, but I don't know, but it's enough pressure that you can physically feel it as you press the card down. I haven't powered on the machine with the card in this place.

Thanks for reading. I'd appreciate any advice!

[TH3R34P3R]

@jstudrawa look more PCIe stuff LOL

 

and for @chefreinhold, the top slot is completely fine. you won't experience issues with the backplate. 

[chefreinhold]

@TH3R34P3R Phew! Just, note, that's not a back plate on the GPU, that's the card itself. Does that change your opinion?

[Spotty]

5 minutes ago, chefreinhold said:

 I'm also wondering if this has any adverse effects on my GPU power as someone mentioned online somewhere that nothing should go into PCIE1 if you have a GPU in PCIE2. I'm not sure exactly what was meant by it.

Nah. PCIe1 (x1 slot) will likely run off chipset while PCIe2 (x16 slot) will run off CPU. Won't be an issue. Shouldn't be any thermal issues either - the Wifi card won't generate a lot of heat.

 

The bottom two slots appear to be PCI so won't be compatible with a PCIe card.

 

Use the top slot. How you have it in the picture is fine.

[Dedayog]

Just now, TH3R34P3R said:

@jstudrawa look more PCIe stuff LOL

 

and for @chefreinhold, the top slot is completely fine. you won't experience issues with the backplate. 

Lol, I can actually understand this one tho.  On my old machine, the GPU in slot one would actually turn off PCI slot 1 under it.  

 

Like Reaper said, you'll be fine.  Just don't ask about the chipset or CPU "lanes" and you'll survive unscathed.

 

Now, the more important question is... are you using an UltraWide with that RTX card?

[TH3R34P3R]

Just now, jstudrawa said:

Now, the more important question is... are you using an UltraWide with that RTX card?

then there is me... basic 1080p with 2080ti... XD

[chefreinhold]

1 minute ago, jstudrawa said:

Lol, I can actually understand this one tho.  On my old machine, the GPU in slot one would actually turn off PCI slot 1 under it.  

  

 Like Reaper said, you'll be fine.  Just don't ask about the chipset or CPU "lanes" and you'll survive unscathed.

 

Now, the more important question is... are you using an UltraWide with that RTX card?

Uh, I may not survive unscathed as I'm actually planning to play mostly 1080p60 on my couch with it! 

[Spotty]

Just now, chefreinhold said:

Uh, I may not survive unscathed as I'm actually planning to play mostly 1080p60 on my couch with it! 

Well, to be fair that's about the best you will get with RTX ON anyway...

[chefreinhold]

1 minute ago, TH3R34P3R said:

then there is me... basic 1080p with 2080ti... XD

I'm not alone!

[Dedayog]

Just now, TH3R34P3R said:

then there is me... basic 1080p with 2080ti... XD

Yes, there is that.  But according to you, you didn't pay $1200-$1300 for the card.  So you may be forgiven

[TH3R34P3R]

Just now, jstudrawa said:

Yes, there is that.  But according to you, you didn't pay $1200-$1300 for the card.  So you may be forgiven

naw i didn't, you right you right... best buy messed up, so i got this pc for like 500 less than it woulda been. i can't complain LOL

 

but i did sell the MSI card that came with it... didnt like the duke. so i traded it technically... 200 bucks and my friends EVGA XC card. also gave him the WD blue 500gb SSD i had... for an ADATA i had laying around that i use now... so i made out 200 bucks richer from selling an MSI card and a WD drive... 

[chefreinhold]

Guy, just to confirm. This GPU doesn't have a backplate. You still think I'm in the clear? 

 

 

[Dedayog]

Just now, chefreinhold said:

Guy, just to confirm. This GPU doesn't have a backplate. You still think I'm in the clear? 

 

 

More than fine.  Backplate or not, it's a non issue.

[TH3R34P3R]

however, my userbenchmark score now is down 11% in gaming... from 171 (peak with a stupid OC on the card... may have toasted the VRAM XD the person that took it hasnt had any problems so, im ok with it) but... i was like 1% short from userbenchmark score of the month with that... twas a shame.

[TH3R34P3R]

1 minute ago, chefreinhold said:

Guy, just to confirm. This GPU doesn't have a backplate. You still think I'm in the clear? 

 

 

yeah it wont matter. i have a wireless card above my GPU and im good. 

[TH3R34P3R]

is that an ASUS card that you have @chefreinhold

[chefreinhold]

No, it's a Palit 2070 Dual

[TH3R34P3R]

ahh okie