stupid question time about pci slots

**luna123black** · 10-19-2009, 08:16 PM

ok i need some confirmation if this is true or not.

can a pci expressx x16 slot use a sound card that is pci express x1?. i have the zotac 9300 board and read that it will run pci express x1 and i am trying to figure out my options for sound cards.

well im on the stupid question thing. if it could run a pci express x1 would it be possable to use pci express x1 to pci adapter. like this one?. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815158165

thank for the help.

**DarquePervert** · 10-20-2009, 06:05 AM

I have no idea whether the adapter will work or not.

However, the idea of PCI cards and adapters in a vehicle installation does not sit well with me.
The normal vibrations and bumps of everyday driving can easily cause a PCI or PCI-E card to work loose. That can cause all sorts of problems with the PC, up to and including frying equipment.

If you are dead-set on using a PCI or PCI-E sound card, make sure that is is 100% securely installed and has almost zero chance to work loose.
Easier said than done.

**soundman98** · 10-20-2009, 07:58 AM

agree with darque. i had alot of problems with pci sound cards in my install-- part of it was the way i was installing it though.

i beleive that a pci x16 port is much faster than a x1 port, and so you can adapt a x16 port to x1, but not the other way around, becaue the x16 device is expecting faster speeds.

**popi79** · 10-20-2009, 08:27 AM

I have used with great success for years a pci flex adapter with a audigy 2zs and with my new install in progress creative xfi xtrememusic.
Remember onboard audio is no match for an add on card, the audio quality is far superior and you will relieve your cpu from audio calculations. I really recommend the two I mentioned before, it really works great.

here is a link to a few, hope will help

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories

and

http://www.adexelec.com/pciexp.htm

**Maheriano** · 10-20-2009, 09:45 AM

You can't plug a PCI card into a PCI-E slot.

**DarquePervert** · 10-20-2009, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Maheriano

You can't plug a PCI card into a PCI-E slot.

Not natively, no.
The OP is talking about using an adapter that allows a PCI card to connect to a PCI-E slot.
In theory, that would work, but I have no real-world experience with adapters of this sort.

I look at it this way...
An adapter adds two more connections into the mix. Every connection, whether it's for an expansion card or a cable has the potential for coming undone. That makes it a potential point of failure.
With an expansion cord, the potential for damage is greater. Unplugging a PCI card from a system while the PC is on carries a high degree of potential for damage to the system.
A cable (mouse, USB, VGA, etc.) coming disconnected doesn't have that level of risk associated with, although it would certainly be an annoyance, at least.

**popi79** · 10-20-2009, 05:38 PM

get a pci-e audio card and a pci-e adapter extension.

**luna123black** · 10-20-2009, 06:54 PM

ok thansk for the replies. i agree the adapter seems like a bad idea but i was just looking at my options. so if im reading this right i can use a pci x1 card witha riser to my pci x16 slot correct? so that opens up the possability of useing a pci e x1 sound card. im also looking at a few different usb sound cards as a option.