PCI-ex1_1 and -ex1_2 slots?

Just 'cause I don't know what they are for, and can't seem to easily find info on them, what are the -ex1_* slots for on mobos? I have an nVidia 7100 GS PCIe graphics card, and my mobo has both an -ex1_1 and an -ex1_2 slot.

Are they for having more than one video card installed at the same time, or for intranet/networking? No cables came with my video card, and there are no attachable connectors, so I'm sure I can't use it, but it sorta bugs me not knowing. confused

Thanks!

 

Well i think from what you described you are using the PCIExpressX16 lane for your video card. The PCIExpressX1 lane is just like X16 lane only it can not handle as much bandwidth, in theory you could put a card that does anything in there, it just may have some lag. Yes the most widely used application ive seen for them is networking, however im using a regular PCI slot mainly because i had a card laying around. Right now the PCIExpressX1 lanes aren't really too popular, but i think they will catch on with the new sockets and DDR2 memory and i think in a short time we will start seeing more applications for the bus.

 

I guess I assumed that whoever answered would know that I have the video card in the x16 slot - yes it is. Thanks for the info!

If it isn't too much trouble, can you briefly tell a little about DDR2 - or, better yet, point me to a site with a good write up? (Along the lines of compatability, comparisons, testing, etc. I will look after I reply here, but it can't hurt to ask those who know.

Thanks!

 

Wikipedia has a good article on DDR2 RAM

 

Are pci express x1 slots quite small? I know my motherboard has one, and i thought i had located it, but it looks to small to fit a video card. Its the same white colour as my pci slots, but its tiny. Which made me think that pci e x1 wasent made for video cards. But after reading this post im thinking that maybe that what im looking at isent the pci e x1 slot at all.

 

Yes the x1 slot is very small. No the x1 slot does not and probably wont support a video card. Right now only the x16 slot will support a video card. To use multiple video cards you have to either use a x16 slot card and a normal PCI video card, or you have to buy a special motherboard that has 2 PCI Express X16 slots on it. If you go with one X16 slot and one normal PCI slot make sure your motherboard will support 2 video cards. If it dosent the second video card isnt going to do you any good. Heres a pretty good article on PCI and PCI Express, kinda long though. Also if you want to use dual video cards, make sure you have the right chipset. Because nVidia and ATI use two differnt technologies, they are not interchangeable. Once again check the specs on your motherboard, chances are if you dont have at least 2 PCI Express X16 lanes your motherboard dosent support dual cards, and if you do im almost positive your motherboard will only support dual cards from one specific company because of the chipset issue. If your still confused (not sure how well i explained this) just leave another post and ill try again