[TOOLS] PCI-e versus PCI-e Graphic slots

[ASTeC]

(second try ;-)

Hello,

Before working as a Technical Communicator, I worked for several years 
as an electronics engineer. In my last job, we developed PCI-e boards.

So, if a slot is defined as graphics, it means only a graphics board can 
be plugged and used in it. In fact, it is not so much a hardware 
limitation than a software one (BIOS in fact). A PCI-e board must 
identify itself once plugged in a slot. So the motherboard can detect 
the add-on board type, its functions and characteristics and configure 
itself accordingly.

As the most probable board that will be ever used in this slot is a 
graphics board, the motherboard manufacturer limits its BIOS to such a 
board detection and support. Time to market and design reduction cost, 
as usual :-(

I could talk longer about motherboards and BIOS design "shortcuts" ;-) 
By the way, most PCI-e slot under-wired are not even compliant with the 
PCI-SIG standards.

IMPORTANT REMARK: according to the PCI-SIG specification, a slot as well 
as a board are required to work ONLY as x1 and their maximum 
configuration. Thus a x4 board inserted in a x16 slot for example must 
work in a x1 configuration but not necessarily in a x4 configuration as 
the slot may work only as x1 and x16 (depending on its design).

Regards,

    André

ASTeC a écrit :
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