PCI-e cards: must they be in a 16x slot?

[gnaget]

stuck in this forum still, so please bear with me.  I want to jump into mining, and I am trying to spec out a rig for myself.  I would like to run 3 GPUs per box, but it is difficult to find motherboards that have 3 PCI-e slots that can run at 16x.  If I run them at 8x or even 4x, will I take a substantial hit in Mh/s?

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[SomeoneWeird]

stuck in this forum still, so please bear with me.  I want to jump into mining, and I am trying to spec out a rig for myself.  I would like to run 3 GPUs per box, but it is difficult to find motherboards that have 3 PCI-e slots that can run at 16x.  If I run them at 8x or even 4x, will I take a substantial hit in Mh/s?

Yep, you can run GPU's for mining at x1. Grab a few PCI-E x1 extenders, cut the side off (OF THE EXTENDER, DONT CUT YOUR MOTHERBOARD!) so the GPU will fit in, stick a wire in it like so and then put the extender in, and plug the GPU into that, should work like a charm then

[thinkweis]

I've read that mining doesn't require the high PCI-e speed. I is more reliant on the gpu itself. You shouldn't lose much, if anything, because you are using a lower speed slot. Good Luck!

[SomeoneWeird]

I've read that mining doesn't require the high PCI-e speed. I is more reliant on the gpu itself. You shouldn't lose much, if anything, because you are using a lower speed slot. Good Luck!

Well done, you just repeated my answer, with less info.

[imafish2002]

Thanks for the detailed reply there SomeoneWeird, just ordered myself a 1x pci-e extender off ebay. Now should I order another 5830 or stick my old 4870 in there? hmmm

[SomeoneWeird]

Thanks for the detailed reply there SomeoneWeird, just ordered myself a 1x pci-e extender off ebay. Now should I order another 5830 or stick my old 4870 in there? hmmm

Get at LEAST a 5830

[jgm_coin]

I've read that mining doesn't require the high PCI-e speed. I is more reliant on the gpu itself. You shouldn't lose much, if anything, because you are using a lower speed slot. Good Luck!

Well done, you just repeated my answer, with less info.

LOL! hilarious, SomeoneWeird

[wetjet43]

I've been looking for the answer to this question. Thank you!

[xrobau]

DealXtreme have some 1x -> 16x Extenders. I'll find the link.

(No need for potentially dangerous wires on your motherboard then)

--Rob

[xrobau]

Here you go:

http://dx.com/p/pci-e-1x-to-16x-riser-card-extension-cable-15-5cm-length-100061

[jbower]

or if your looking to go all the way.
http://3.14.by/en/read/videocard-pcie-conversion-x16-x1

[paul21]

Be careful with this, the x16 slots are designed for 75W and the x1 only 25W. You run the risk of drawing too much current from your motherboard since the video card might be designed for 75W. You could modify the cable to provide more 12V power.

[tencevad]

Be careful with this, the x16 slots are designed for 75W and the x1 only 25W. You run the risk of drawing too much current from your motherboard since the video card might be designed for 75W. You could modify the cable to provide more 12V power.

Don't mean to be spammy, but I sell 1x to 16x adapters with molex power that are perfect for mining and provide the extra needed power. If you're interested, I link to my items in my signature.

[joemmm]

Yup, x16 is not needed.