ASRock Z77 Extreme4 User Manual - Page 22

Expansion Slots PCI and PCI Express Slots, Installing an expansion card - fan speed

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2.6 Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots) There are 2 PCI slots and 4 PCI Express slots on this motherboard. PCI slots: PCI slots are used to install expansion cards that have the 32-bit PCI interface. PCIE slots:PCIE1 (PCIE 2.0 x1 slot) is used for a PCI Express x1 lane width card, such as a Gigabit LAN card, SATA2 card or ASRock Game Blaster, etc. PCIE4 (PCIE 2.0 x1 slot) is used for a PCI Express x1 lane width card, such as a Gigabit LAN card, SATA2 card, etc. PCIE2 (PCIE 3.0 x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x16 lane width graphics cards, or to install PCI Express graphics cards to support CrossFireXTM or SLITM function. PCIE3 (PCIE 3.0 x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x8 lane width graphics cards, or to install PCI Express graphics cards to support CrossFireXTM or SLITM function. 1. In single VGA card mode, it is recommended to install a PCI Express x16 graphics card on PCIE2 slot. 2. In CrossFireXTM mode or SLITM mode, please install the PCI Express x16 graphics cards on PCIE2 and PCIE3 slots. Therefore, both these two slots will work at x8 bandwidth. 3. Please connect a chassis fan to the motherboard's chassis fan connector (CHA_FAN1, CHA_FAN2 or CHA_FAN3) when using multiple graphics cards for better thermal environment. 4. Only PCIE2 and PCIE3 slots support Gen 3 speed. To run the PCI Express in Gen 3 speed, please install an Ivy Bridge CPU. If you install a Sandy Bridge CPU, the PCI Express will run only at PCI Express Gen 2 speed. Installing an expansion card Step 1. Before installing an expansion card, please make sure that the power supply is switched off or the power cord is unplugged. Please read the documentation of the expansion card and make necessary hardware settings for the card before you start the installation. Step 2. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is already installed in a chassis). Step 3. Remove the bracket facing the slot that you intend to use. Keep the screws for later use. Step 4. Align the card connector with the slot and press firmly until the card is completely seated on the slot. Step 5. Fasten the card to the chassis with screws. Step 6. Replace the system cover. 22

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2.6
Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots)
There are 2 PCI slots and 4 PCI Express slots on this motherboard.
PCI slots:
PCI slots are used to install expansion cards that have the 32-bit PCI
interface.
PCIE slots:
PCIE1 (PCIE 2.0 x1 slot) is used for a PCI Express x1 lane width card,
such as a Gigabit LAN card, SATA2 card or ASRock Game Blaster, etc.
PCIE4 (PCIE 2.0 x1 slot) is used for a PCI Express x1 lane width card,
such as a Gigabit LAN card, SATA2 card, etc.
PCIE2 (PCIE 3.0 x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x16 lane width
graphics cards, or to install PCI Express graphics cards to support
CrossFireX
TM
or SLI
TM
function.
PCIE3 (PCIE 3.0 x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x8 lane width graph-
ics cards, or to install PCI Express graphics cards to support CrossFi-
reX
TM
or SLI
TM
function.
1. In single VGA card mode, it is recommended to install a PCI Express
x16 graphics card on PCIE2 slot.
2. In CrossFireX
TM
mode or SLI
TM
mode, please install the PCI Express
x16 graphics cards on PCIE2 and PCIE3 slots. Therefore, both these
two slots will work at x8 bandwidth.
3. Please connect a chassis fan to the motherboard’s chassis fan
connector (CHA_FAN1, CHA_FAN2 or CHA_FAN3) when using
multiple graphics cards for better thermal environment.
4. Only PCIE2 and PCIE3 slots support Gen 3 speed. To run the PCI
Express in Gen 3 speed, please install an Ivy Bridge CPU. If you
install a Sandy Bridge CPU, the PCI Express will run only at PCI
Express Gen 2 speed.
Installing an expansion card
Step 1.
Before installing an expansion card, please make sure that the power
supply is switched off or the power cord is unplugged. Please read the
documentation of the expansion card and make necessary hardware
settings for the card before you start the installation.
Step 2.
Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is already installed
in a chassis).
Step 3.
Remove the bracket facing the slot that you intend to use. Keep the
screws for later use.
Step 4.
Align the card connector with the slot and press
fi
rmly until the card is
completely seated on the slot.
Step 5.
Fasten the card to the chassis with screws.
Step 6.
Replace the system cover.