Which expansion slot to use?

[squid4fl]

Hey guys,

 

I hope I posted this question in the right place (this is my first post here).

 

I've got a question about which expansion slots I should use on the Asus Gryphon Z87.

I want to install the "Asus Xonar DX 7.1 (PCIe 1x)" and the "Inno3D iChill GTX 780" but I'm not sure about which slots to use.

The Gryphon has (from top downwards)

1. PCIe 3.0 x16 slot,

2. PCIe 2.0 x1 slot,

3. PCIe 3.0 x16 slot

and at the bottom: 4. PCI 2.0 x16 slot. 

 

1^st option: I install the GTX 780 in the first slot and because it uses a triple-slot cooler design i would have to install the Xonar Soundcard at the bottom. I'm afraid the 780 would have restricted airflow in this configuration.

2^nd option: The Xonar in either the first or second slot (should not matter) and the 780 in the third slot. Is there any disadvantage of installing the graphics card in the third slot (on paper it's the same as the first one, PCIe 3.0 x16)?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Vitalius]

2 for the Xonar
3 or 4 for the GTX 780. The difference between PCI-e 2.0 x16 and 3.0 x16 is negligible. You literally wouldn't notice it.

It's not different in a way that will harm your performance (though it could be different). 

For how it could be different:

In motherboards with lots of PCI-e 3.0 lanes, there are multiple chipsets that handle them all. If yours has more than 1 chipset, (what is called a PLX chipset), it will just change which chipset handles the traffic from the card. 

But that shouldn't degrade performance in any way. Unless your chipset is faulty, but then that'd be a motherboard problem and you should RMA.

I don't know the limitations on the default Z87 chipset, so I don't know if you have a PLX chipset, but you may.

[Liam-McShane]

I would read the manual it should say in there. I would say the GPU in the top one and the sound card in the bottom slot

[squid4fl]

Thank you for the quick reply. In the manual it says to install a graphics card in the first slot if you only use one.

I don't know if that would reduce the amount of cool air the 780 would get but I guess I'll just have to try (I'm still planing my build).  

[Hodor]

You can install pcie x1 card into a 16x slot.

[Cryptonite]

Hey guys,

 

I hope I posted this question in the right place (this is my first post here).

 

I've got a question about which expansion slots I should use on the Asus Gryphon Z87.

I want to install the "Asus Xonar DX 7.1 (PCIe 1x)" and the "Inno3D iChill GTX 780" but I'm not sure about which slots to use.

The Gryphon has (from top downwards)

1. PCIe 3.0 x16 slot,

2. PCIe 2.0 x1 slot,

3. PCIe 3.0 x16 slot

and at the bottom: 4. PCI 2.0 x16 slot. 

 

1^st option: I install the GTX 780 in the first slot and because it uses a triple-slot cooler design i would have to install the Xonar Soundcard at the bottom. I'm afraid the 780 would have restricted airflow in this configuration.

2^nd option: The Xonar in either the first or second slot (should not matter) and the 780 in the third slot. Is there any disadvantage of installing the graphics card in the third slot (on paper it's the same as the first one, PCIe 3.0 x16)?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

Just install the PCIe x1 Sound card in the bottom PCIe x16 slot.

 

Edit: anyways just stick (the gfx card) it in a x16 slot and not a x8 slot and you will be fine performance wise.

 

Edit no 2: I laughed out loud when I noticed the board having "windows 8 ready" printed on there, my manager is staring at me with a WTF?! face.

[squid4fl]

Thanks for the help.

@Cryptonite Yes indeed! I suppose the developers are happy for every logo or "xxxxx ready" they can put somewhere ;-)

[Cryptonite]

Thanks for the help.

@Cryptonite Yes indeed! I suppose the developers are happy for every logo or "xxxxx ready" they can put somewhere ;-)

lol, what makes it more funny is the fact that it's Asus. I'd think a brand getting sponsored for having logos on their mobos would be cheaper than those hobos.

[Alphabloom]

Sorry for reviving an old thread however I was just wondering  Since the PCI-E 3.0 x16 slots are the same I could use the lower slot PCI-E 3.0 for my GPU and fit a TP-Link TL-WDN3800 on the x1 slot? I currently have the GPU on the top slot but im worried the large heat sink with the fan clips might touch the PCB. Thank you and sorry in advance.