Installing an expansion card – ASRock X79 Extreme4-M User Manual

Page 17

ASRock X79 Extreme4-M Motherboard

English

2.4 Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots)

There is 1 PCI slot and 3 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 / PCIE3 (PCIE 3.0 x16 slots) are used for PCI Express x16 lane

width graphics cards, or used to install PCI Express graphics cards to
support CrossFireX

or SLI

function.

PCIE2 (PCIE 3.0 x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x8 lane width graph-
ics cards.

1. In single VGA card mode, it is recommended to install a PCI Express

x16 graphics card on PCIE1 slot.

2. In CrossFireX

mode or SLI

mode, please install PCI Express x16

graphics cards on PCIE1 and PCIE3 slots. Therefore, both these two

slots will work at x16 bandwidth.

3. Please connect a chassis fan to motherboard chassis fan connector

(CHA_FAN1, CHA_FAN2 or CHA_FAN3) when using multiple

graphics cards for better thermal environment.

4. Currently Intel

Socket 2011 Sandy Bridge-E Processor doesn’t

support PCIE 3.0, but this motherboard is already PCIE 3.0 hardware

ready. It depends on Intel’s CPU to enable PCIE 3.0. Please check

Intel’s website for information on future CPU updates and releases.

Installing an expansion card

Step 1.

Before installing the 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.