x8 vs x16 pins

[Kermit]

So I know that a 16x has all the pin going the length of the pci-e slot, but is x8 just half of that? 

 

I guess my question is: in an x8 slot, is the second half of the slot just a placeholder for the card to sit in? Because I bought a Maximus IV Gene-Z with a bent pin in the x8 slot, but when I got it, the bent pin was at the end of the x8 slot where I don't think a pin should've even been.

 

Or is there usually a pin at the end of x8 slots?

[Glenwing]

So I know that a 16x has all the pin going the length of the pci-e slot, but is x8 just half of that? 

 

I guess my question is: in an x8 slot, is the second half of the slot just a placeholder for the card to sit in? Because I bought a Maximus IV Gene-Z with a bent pin in the x8 slot, but when I got it, the bent pin was at the end of the x8 slot where I don't think a pin should've even been.

 

Or is there usually a pin at the end of x8 slots?

Yes, the second half is just blank. They do usually have 1 pin in the end, which is not used for anything officially, perhaps just for identification for the motherboard, so it can tell when you have a full length card plugged in.

[Kermit]

Yes, the second half is just blank. They do usually have 1 pin in the end, which is not used for anything officially, perhaps just for identification for the motherboard, so it can tell when you have a full length card plugged in.

 

I tried unbending that pin, and I think it worked but even if it didn't, will a second 280x still function normally in crossfire with that bent pin?

[Glenwing]

I tried unbending that pin, and I think it worked but even if it didn't, will a second 280x still function normally in crossfire with that bent pin?

Unless the pin is bent in a way where it would be contacting a different pin on the card instead, I don't see why it wouldn't work.

[Kermit]

Unless the pin is bent in a way where it would be contacting a different pin on the card instead, I don't see why it wouldn't work.

 

Great thanks. I should be getting another card after newegg restocks the Tri-X 280x in a billion years. RIP

[mathijs727]

Great thanks. I should be getting another card after newegg restocks the Tri-X 280x in a billion years. RIP

Cant you try your current GPU in that slot and see if it works?

If that works there should be fine in crossfire too.

[Kermit]

Cant you try your current GPU in that slot and see if it works?

If that works there should be fine in crossfire too.

 

I did do that, although I didn't stress test it. It seemed to work fine on just browsing web and watching youtube so I hope it should be almost as good as the x16 slot when I get the second card.