Standard ATX Question

[Luke Murtagh]

Hello all,

 

I have a quick question about ATX form factor motherboards (specifically the Asus ROG Maximus XI Hero (WiFi)). On standard ATX motherboards is the first PCIE slot always in the same place? I presume this would be so as it might be industry standard for ATX motherboards but this is a presumption. I am only asking so I know if my first PCIE slot will align properly with the expansion slot in the rear of my Meshify S2.

 

I have seen images online of the Meshify S2 and my brand of motherboard inside of it and it always appears as if the first PCIE slot wouldn't align with the expansion slots but there never seems to be any problems when people build inside them. I presume the fact that they appear misaligned is just a trick of the eye.

 

Thanks!

[emosun]

1 minute ago, Luke Murtagh said:

I am only asking so I know if my first PCIE slot will align properly with the expansion slot in the rear of my Meshify S2

ATX as a form factor wouldn't ever have an inaccessible expansion slot

only if you use incompatible cases or proprietary boards derived from atx like an oddball server board or case

[kdawwgg1221]

4 minutes ago, Luke Murtagh said:

I presume the fact that they appear misaligned is just a trick of the eye.

Your presumption is correct. All motherboards will provide a variety of PCIe slots (x4,x8,x16). It's just how you plan to use them.

 

Correction: all motherboards of any ATX form factor

[Luke Murtagh]

44 minutes ago, kdawwgg1221 said:

Your presumption is correct. All motherboards will provide a variety of PCIe slots (x4,x8,x16). It's just how you plan to use them.

 

Correction: all motherboards of any ATX form factor

Thanks for the reply. My motherboard has two PCIe x16 slots so in theory I could put my GPU in either one but because my GPU is a triple slot card it won't fit in the second PCIe slot because of where it is located in relation to the expansion slots. I believe there would only be two slots available but I would need three. The top one I imagine would be fine though.

[Luke Murtagh]

57 minutes ago, emosun said:

ATX as a form factor wouldn't ever have an inaccessible expansion slot

only if you use incompatible cases or proprietary boards derived from atx like an oddball server board or case

Thanks for the reply. My Maximus XI Hero and Meshify S2 case are both compatible so I should be okay then. The second of the two PCIe x16 slots on my motherboard will be inaccessible for my GPU as there would only be two expansion slots left on the case before the PSU shroud and my GPU is a three slot card. I can't see there being any misalignment for the top PCIe x16 slot though.

[G00fySmiley]

depends on the mobo maker on pci slot location. ususally a pci-e x16 on the top but I have bought mobos where there was a pci-e x1 on the top (presumably for expansion cards liek extra usb 3.0 or usb c ports higher up and closer to the io shield. 

[Luke Murtagh]

Just now, G00fySmiley said:

depends on the mobo maker on pci slot location. ususally a pci-e x16 on the top but I have bought mobos where there was a pci-e x1 on the top (presumably for expansion cards liek extra usb 3.0 or usb c ports higher up and closer to the io shield. 

Thanks for the reply. I've just double checked my motherboard manual and it absolutely lists the two longest PCIe slots as both x16.  I've also just seen a reviewer on YouTube install a three slot GPU into the Fractal Design Define R6 (which is basically the same chassis as the Meshify S2 which just has a mesh front and top to differentiate itself) with an EVGA ATX board which seems to share the same layout as my Asus board and that fitted in fine with no issues.