What Does PCIe x16 Mean? [Beginner’s Guide]

Today, I’ll be diving into everything you need to know to understand this specification whenever you see it, including how different PCIe generations compare and what devices use PCIe x16.

Let’s not waste any time, and dive right in!

What Does PCIe x16 Stand for?

First, let’s just break down “PCIe x16”.

“PCIe” means “PCI Express”, referring to the dominant standard of PC motherboard expansion for the past twenty or so years.

That “x16” is a specification referring to either the x16 PCIe slot form factor ( physical length of the slot) or a full x16 lanes of PCI Express bandwidth ( electrical bandwidth of the slot). Usually both, but not always.

With the name itself broken down, we can now dive into deeper definitions of PCI Express and PCIe x16.

What is PCI Express?

As mentioned prior, PCI Express is the dominant standard for PC expansion cards and has been since its debut.

That “PCI” stands for “ P eripheral C omponent I nterconnect” if you’re curious, and there were also a few (very old) non-Express PCI versions before we got PCIe.

The main reason PCI Express is the dominant standard for PC expansion cards is that it doubles its bandwidth every generation, making it by far the fastest slot on any motherboard where it happens to be present.

PCI Express also allows flexibility by coming in 4 different slot sizes and matching lane configurations*:

• PCI Express x1 — Single lane, smallest slot.
• PCI Express x4 — Four lanes, second-smallest slot.
• PCI Express x8 — Eight lanes, second-largest slot.
• PCI Express x16 — Sixteen lanes, largest slot.

*some slots may not have matching lanes in bandwidth, more on this throughout the article.

Types of PCI Express slots overview – x1, x4, x8, x16

Today, our main focus is on PCIe x16, so let’s dive deeper into that.

What Does PCIe x16 Mean?

PCIe x16 is your 16-lane PCI Express slot, or at least your largest/longest PCI Express slot. It is the most high-bandwidth, high-performance expansion slot inside any PC.

Devices Commonly Used With PCIe x16 Slots

So, what usually goes in a PCIe x16 Slot? It largely breaks down into the following three categories:

• Graphics Cards — The most common use for a PCIe x16 slot is a graphics card, or GPU.
• Heavy Duty Networking Cards* — For high-end networking environments (servers, etc), the higher bandwidth of PCIe makes sense for managing multiple Ethernet connections at once.
• Heavy Duty Storage Cards* — Also usually on servers, some heavy-duty storage setups (like multi-drive RAID setups with lots of high-capacity drives) may be managed by a PCIe x16 RAID card.

In general, PCIe x16 is mostly known for being used with graphics cards. Other PCIe x16 cards tend to be rarer and very workload-specific.

*These are also common in an x8 form factor.

How Different Versions of PCIe x16 Compare

PCIe x16 Gen 1

• Single Direction Speed: 4 Gigabytes per second
• Dual Direction Speed: 8 Gigabytes per second
• Release Date: 2003

Originally released in 2003, the first PCI Express standard introduced the x16 slot with unprecedented bandwidth.

It was also the first successor to the original PCI, often sharing space on motherboards with regular PCI slots.

PCIe x16 Gen 2

• Single Direction Speed: 8 Gigabytes per second
• Dual Direction Speed: 16 Gigabytes per second
• Release Date: 2007

Just four years after the original release in 2003, PCI Express Gen 2 dropped in 2007.

Boasting a full double-speed improvement over the original standard, PCIe Gen 2 lived up to the promises made by the evolving standard.

Non-Express PCI slots were still common at this time, too, for supporting older peripherals.

PCIe x16 Gen 3

• Single Direction Speed: 16 Gigabytes per second
• Dual Direction Speed: 32 Gigabytes per second
• Release Date: 2010

PCI Express Gen 3 is probably the first “modern” PCI Express standard and has by far the longest lifespan, being released in 2010 and not succeeded until 2017.

Over the course of PCI Express Gen 3’s life, many advancements were being made in the PC hardware space, including the increasing adoption of SSDs and the removal of legacy ports like PCI.

One change introduced by PCIe Gen 3 that continues into the newer generations is the introduction of NVMe M.2 slots onto the motherboard.

These enable SSDs with PCI Express bandwidth, though they’re usually limited to x4 bandwidth. However, x16 and x8 cards can be used for adding M.2 to systems without the slot.

PCIe x16 Gen 4

• Single Direction Speed: 32 Gigabytes per second
• Dual Direction Speed: 64 Gigabytes per second
• Release Date: 2017

PCI Express Gen 4 is one of the current standards and the most common in motherboards released since 2017.

Once we breach PCI Express Gen 4— which was the first major change to PCIe in the seven years since Gen 3— we also start breaching the higher-end of what NVMe storage and modern GPUs are capable of.

Even last-gen GPUs begin to breach the maximum bandwidth capabilities offered by PCIe Gen 3, requiring PCIe 4.0 or newer:

PCIe x16 Gen 5

• Single Direction Speed: 64 Gigabytes per second
• Dual Direction Speed: 128 Gigabytes per second
• Release Date: 2019

PCI Express Gen 5 was released in 2019 and served as a quick high-end refresh to Gen 4 boards.

This is also the fastest version of PCI Express currently available at the time of writing (late 2022) since Gen 6 has been announced but not actually launched in market-ready motherboards yet.

At the time of writing, not even the most powerful GPUs available on the market— like the RTX 4090— can fully saturate the bandwidth offered by PCI Express 5.0 x16.

The day when we need more than PCIe Gen 5 for running GPUs without bottlenecks should be pretty far away.

PCIe x16 Gen 6

• Single Direction Speed: 128 Gigabytes per second
• Dual Direction Speed: 256 Gigabytes per second
• Release Date: 2021* (Announced, not actually in motherboards at the time of writing, likely to come to market in 2022)

PCI Express Gen 6 is the newest PCI Express standard, but thus far has only been announced and has yet to be seen in motherboards.

Even if it does become available, outlets like Anandtech suspect that we won’t see commonplace usage of PCIe Gen 6 until 2023, and consumer boards may not even get the feature until 2024.

And, yeah— I highly doubt any graphics cards released in the next five years will be saturating the usage of PCIe Gen 6 x16 bandwidth.

Are All PCIe x16 Slots The Same?

Besides the generational differences discussed directly above, it’s important to clarify that on many motherboards, PCIe x16 lanes may actually be restricted to x8 bandwidth instead.

Alternatively, there may be only a single x16 slot instead of an additional x16 slot on x8 bandwidth. Cuts like these are usually made to make the motherboard cheaper to produce, which is why you see these compromises in budget boards so often.

You can usually see the difference if you look carefully enough, though, as shown in the image below:

Even though the slot has a mechanical length of a x16 slot, the pins only reach up to x8 length.

Usually, you’ll only see multiple full-size, full-bandwidth PCIe x16 Slots on a higher-end motherboard.

Higher-end boards with better chipsets and more powerful CPUs are able to more effectively utilize all of the raw bandwidth needed for multiple full-speed PCIe x16 slots.

FAQ

How Do PCIe Lanes Work In a Motherboard?

Curious about how PCIe Lanes work and how many you need to support your PC’s workloads? Consider Alex’s Extended Guide To PCIe Lanes.

Before you consider heading off there, though, I do have a few quick tips about PCIe Lanes:

• Users who are only using a single x16 card usually don’t need to worry about buying higher-end boards or CPUs for increased lane support.
• The visual difference between a True PCIe x16 Slot and an x8 PCIe x16 Slot is obvious once you know what you’re looking for.
• The higher-end boards are generally the better bet if you plan on using multiple PCI Express expansion cards, NVMe drives, or both. Higher-end boards will also support higher RAM speeds and CPU overclocking headroom.

Can PCIe x16 Cards Be Used In PCIe x8 Slots or Vice Versa?

Yes, in both directions! There is a catch, though.

For PCIe x8 cards used in PCIe x16 slots, there is no downside. Larger slots can support smaller cards without any problems.

For PCIe x16 cards used in smaller PCIe x8 slots, basic compatibility is still maintained…but since not all of the connector is being used and you’re on a slower slot in general, not all of the bandwidth is going to be kept.

So PCIe x16 cards work in x8 slots but may face performance degradation as a result, especially high-end cards.

Are There PCIe x16 SSDs?

Nope! PCI Express and NVMe SSDs don’t tend to use x16 bandwidth. NVMe SSDs are reliant on PCIe x4 bandwidth with dedicated M.2 NVMe slots.

Meanwhile, most PCI Express SSDs that came in actual cards have long since been phased out in favor of NVMe drives as well.

Even Intel’s specialized Optane SSDs, which still come in a card form factor, rely on PCIe x4 instead of x16.

Over to You

And that’s it, at least for now! I hope that this article helped you come to a fuller understanding of PCIe x16!

I tried to answer any pressing questions you might have about the PCIe x16 slot in this article, but feel free to ask any more you may have in the comments below or head to the CGDirector Forums to interact with the rest of the team and community.

Until then or until next time, have a good one! And remember to double-check your PCIe x16 slots if you’re using a multi-GPU configuration since some high-end cards can be bottlenecked by PCIe x8!

Best PCI Express X16 Graphics Cards: Your 2023 Guide

If you’re looking for a powerful graphics card to upgrade your gaming setup or for professional use, a PCI Express x16 graphics card is the way to go. These cards offer high performance and are the standard for connecting to a computer’s motherboard. In this article, we will be discussing the best PCI Express x16 graphics cards of 2023, providing a comprehensive overview of the top options available in the market.

From high-end options like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 to the more budget-friendly options like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, we’ll cover it all.

• List of Best PCI Express X16 Graphics Cards
• Factors to consider when buying a PCI Express X16 graphics card
• Best PCIe 2.0 X16 Graphics Cards
  • MSI GeForce GT 710 1GB DDR3 PCI Express X16
  • ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express X16 graphics card
  • MSI GeForce GT 730 2GB DDR3 PCI Express X16 Video Card
  • MSI GeForce GT 730 4GB DDR3 PCI 2.0 Express X16 GPU
  • MSI GeForce GTX 1050TI 4GT OC 4GB GDDR5 PCI 3.0 Express X16
  • ASUS GeForce GT 1030 2GB GDDR5 Low Profile PCI Express X16
  • ASUS AMD Radeon R7 240 2GB DDR5
  • AMD Radeon Pro WX 4100 4GB DDR5 Graphics card
  • NVIDIA Quadro P400 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express x16

  List of Best PCI Express X16 Graphics Cards

  Factors to consider when buying a PCI Express X16 graphics card

  Budget:

  One of the most important factors to consider when buying a PCI Express X16 graphics card is your budget. High-end graphics cards can be quite expensive, so it’s important to set a budget and stick to it. You should also consider the potential return on investment (ROI) for the card, such as how long it will last you before needing to upgrade.

  Performance:

  Another important factor to consider is the performance of the graphics card. This includes the GPU clock speed, which determines how fast the card can process data, and the memory size, which determines how much data the card can hold. A higher clock speed and larger memory size will generally result in better performance.

  Compatibility:

  Before purchasing a PCI Express X16 graphics card, it’s important to ensure that it is compatible with the rest of your computer’s components. This includes the power supply, which must be able to provide enough power to the card, as well as the motherboard, which must have a compatible PCI Express slot. Additionally, you should also check that your monitor has the necessary ports to connect to the card.

  Cooling system:

  Graphics cards generate a lot of heat and cooling is an important factor to consider when buying a PCI Express X16 graphics card. A good cooling system can prevent the card from overheating and prolong its lifespan. Look for graphics cards with a good cooling system such as multiple fans or liquid cooling.

  Display output options:

  Display output options are another important factor to consider when buying a PCI Express X16 graphics card. Most graphics cards have either HDMI or DisplayPort output ports, but some also have DVI ports. Be sure to check the ports on your monitor and your desired usage, such as gaming or video editing, to ensure that the card has the necessary output options.

  Game or application support and optimization:

  Some games or applications are optimized for specific graphics card, so it’s important to check if the card you’re considering is supported by the games or applications you plan to use. This will ensure that you get the best performance out of your card.

  Brand reputation and customer support:

  The brand reputation of a graphics card is an important factor to consider when buying a PCI Express X16 graphics card. Reputable brands such as Nvidia and AMD have a history of producing high-quality cards and providing good customer support.

  Overclocking potential:

  Overclocking is the process of running a graphics card at a higher speed than it was designed for. Some graphics cards have a higher overclocking potential than others, so it’s important to check if the card you’re considering has good overclocking potential, if that’s something you’re interested in.

  Best PCIe 2.0 X16 Graphics Cards

  Here check out What is the best PCI Express 2.0 graphics cards? So let’s start one by one.

  MSI GeForce GT 710 1GB DDR3 PCI Express X16

  MSI GeForce GT 710 is the Best PCI 2.0 Express X16 Graphics Card for low price users. The office graphics card MSI GeForce GT 710 belongs to the budget price category. It will also perfectly show itself in a home multimedia computer, since it can easily cope with playing Full HD quality video with a maximum resolution of 4096×2160 pixels, which allows you to play movies on large screens using the adapter. MSI GeForce GT 710 graphics card is compatible with any motherboard equipped with PCI-E slot.

  The card is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 chipset with a frequency of 954 MHz and 1 GB of DDR3 video memory. The device demonstrates excellent quality visual effects due to its support for modern visual technologies DirectX 12 / OpenGL 4.5. Cooling is of a passive type (radiator), the power consumed by the device during operation is 19 W.

  ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express X16 graphics card

  The ASUS nVidia GeForce GT 710 graphics card has 1GB of GDDR5 memory. The unique AUTO-EXTREME technology means complete automation of video card production for the highest reliability. Tweak II provides intuitive tuning of map performance. The patented large surface heatsink guarantees efficient passive cooling.

  The ASUS nVidia GeForce GT 710 graphics card is a compact device with three output ports (HDMI, DVI and D-Sub). No additional power supply is required for its operation.

  MSI GeForce GT 730 2GB DDR3 PCI Express X16 Video Card

  Inexpensive, but at the same time productive discrete graphics card MSI GeForce GT 730 N730-2GD3V2 will provide comfortable work in office applications and the Internet, will allow you to relax while watching videos, photos and playing computer video games.

  A high-quality component base guarantees reliable operation of the board. Proprietary technologies FXAA and PureVideo HD will give the user excellent clarity and smoothness of the image, excellent color reproduction. HDMI, DVI, D-SUB connectors are available for connecting monitors, three monitors can work simultaneously.

  3D Vision support gives you the thrill of watching 3D and incredibly realistic 3D images. Afterburner software allows the user to fully control and customize the operation of the MSI GeForce GT 730 N730-2GD3V2 graphics card.

  MSI GeForce GT 730 4GB DDR3 PCI 2.0 Express X16 GPU

  A budget but high-quality dual-slot video card MSI GeForce GT 730 N730-4GD3 with 4 GB of video memory is designed for personal computers for office and gaming purposes. It is equipped with a 750MHz GPU and 1000MHz video memory. It contains HDMI, DVI and D-SUB connectors, which are used to transmit analog and digital video signals, as well as HDTV high definition video.

  The powerful MSI GeForce GT 730 N730-4GD3 graphics card uses an active cooling system and DDR3 memory. This model supports DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.4 technologies. It features the latest PCI-E 2.0 standard connection and the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 GPU for advanced features such as support for 128-bit applications, video capture, and static screen capture.

  best pcie 3.0 x16 graphics cards

  MSI GeForce GTX 1050TI 4GT OC 4GB GDDR5 PCI 3.0 Express X16

  MSI GTX 1050 TI 4G OC Graphics Card is a 177mm, 75W ready-to-install and ready-to-use model with Display Port, DVI and HDMI ports and an active cooling system that includes a heatsink and fan.

  The model has a modern graphics processor at 1341 MHz, 4 GB of memory, operating at a frequency of 7008 MHz, and a resolution of 7680×4320 pixels. All of the above parameters make it indispensable for a gaming or multimedia computer.

  Also, the MSI GTX 1050 TI 4G OC graphics card supports DirectX 12 / OpenGL 4.5 and OverClock Edition technologies, which provide the highest possible speed of changing pictures in dynamics. The product is guaranteed for thirty-six months.

  ASUS GeForce GT 1030 2GB GDDR5 Low Profile PCI Express X16

  The compact ASUS NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 graphics card is characterized by an efficient cooling system. It is able to provide high-quality video playback due to the processor’s ability to operate at 1228 MHz, and in Boost mode – 1506 MHz, and a memory capacity of 2 GB.

  The powerful ASUS NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 graphics card is built with innovative technology and select components. This made the card more energy efficient, improved its performance, and lowered the operating temperature, which is important.

  The graphics card is compatible with the GPU Tweak II utility, which provides the ability to get full control over the graphics subsystem. It provides a variety of visual effects, allows you to connect two monitors via HDMI and DVI-D video connectors.

  ASUS AMD Radeon R7 240 2GB DDR5

  The ASUS AMD Radeon R7 240 graphics card has a PCI-E 3.0 interface. The graphics processor operates at 730 MHz (780 MHz in Boost mode), the memory capacity is 2 GB. It operates at a frequency of 4600 MHz, which guarantees picture quality. The bit width of the video memory bus is 128 bit, the maximum resolution is 1920×1200. The card supports DirectX 11.2 / OpenGL 4.3 technology.

  The ASUS AMD Radeon R7 240 graphics card has several different types of connectors. Therefore, when assembling the computer yourself, it will be easy to make the necessary connections. Additional food is not provided. The cooling system is active. It includes one fan and heatsink. The card’s advantages include its low profile. The compact dimensions ensured versatility of use.

  AMD Radeon Pro WX 4100 4GB DDR5 Graphics card

  It is the Best PCI 3.0 Express X16 Graphics Card. The DELL AMD WX 4100 video card has the technical characteristics that are typical of professional-type video cards. The powerful graphics processor supports OpenGL 4.5, Vulkan 1.0, DirectX 12 standards, which allows you to provide a high level of performance when running any games and graphics programs. The DDR5 video memory has a capacity of 4 GB.

  The manufacturer has provided the ability to connect up to 4 monitors to the DELL AMD WX 4100 video card simultaneously. The maximum resolution is 5120×2880 pixels. An efficient cooling system with a turbine fan ensures reliable overheating protection, thereby significantly extending the life of your graphics card.

  NVIDIA Quadro P400 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express x16

  DELL NVIDIA Quadro P400 graphics card provides high quality, realistic graphics. Supports DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.5 technologies, which guarantees the maximum use of all the achievements of the PC gaming industry. The amount of video memory is 2 GB GDDR5 type.

  Connection to the motherboard is provided via the PCI-E 3.0 interface, and for a comfortable monitor connection, the DELL NVIDIA Quadro P400 video card is equipped with Mini Display Port connectors. The heatsink and fan keep the unit cool under continuous use. No additional power connection is required for this video card.

  Are PCI Express X16 Graphic Cards Worth It?

  PCI Express has been around for a while now and is the standard for video cards. PCIe X16 cards are supposed to be the best, but are PCI Express X16 graphic cards worth it?

  There are a few things to consider when deciding if a PCIe X16 card is worth it.

  The first is how much you plan to use your card. If you only plan to use it for basic tasks like web browsing and word processing, then a lesser card will probably do just fine. However, if you plan on doing more intensive activities like gaming or video editing, then you will need a card that can handle those tasks.

  The second thing to consider is your computer’s hardware. Your motherboard needs to have a PCIe X16 slot in order for the card to fit, and your power supply also needs to be able to handle the extra load.

  Comparison of the top PCI Express X16 graphics cards

  Performance benchmarks:

  One way to compare the top PCI Express X16 graphics cards is to look at their performance benchmarks. These benchmarks measure the card’s performance in various tasks such as gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering. This can give you an idea of which card will perform the best in different scenarios. Some popular benchmarking tools include 3DMark, Unigine, and Furmark.

  Price comparisons:

  Another way to compare the top PCI Express X16 graphics cards is to look at their prices. This can give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for each card and can help you make a decision based on your budget. Keep in mind that the price of a card can vary depending on where you purchase it from, so it’s important to shop around and compare prices from different retailers.

  Conclusion

  If you are searching for best PCI Express X16 graphics cards, then any of the graphics card in above listing would be a best choice. So, take your time and do your research to find the perfect card for your specific needs.

  As an avid tech enthusiast and the brains behind MyGraphicsCard, I’m excited to welcome you to a realm dedicated to all things graphics cards. With years of experience under my belt, I’m here to offer insights and support. Don’t hesitate to drop a line at [email protected] if you need assistance.

  © 2024 MyGraphicsCard | Privacy Policy | Amazon Associates Program MyGraphicsCard.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

  What Does PCIe x16 Mean? Everything You Need to Know

  PCIe x16 is the largest and fastest consumer-grade PCIe slot currently available. It is located on your computer’s motherboard, and “PCIe x16” means it contains 16 PCIe lanes or communication data interfaces. PCIe x16 slots are popular for their high throughput rate and compatibility with very high bandwidth requirements of expansion cards.

  Table of Contents

  Modern motherboards are highly customizable and sophisticated. PCIe slots are important to understand for those who want to equip their motherboard with other components, such as expansion cards, to boost their computers’ performance. There are different sizes and versions of PCIe interfaces, and PCIe x16 is one of them.

  The whole concept of “what does PCIe x16 mean” may be confusing to you right now as it is difficult to grasp at first glance. Therefore, in this article, we will explain the PCIe interfaces and further learn about PCIe x16 slots. Let’s begin!

  What Are PCIe Slots?

  The full meaning of PCIe is Peripheral Component Interconnect Express. It is considered as a standard for interfaces that connect HSIO (High-Speed Input Output) components. They are located on your motherboard, and they provide faster speed, higher bandwidth, lower latency, and more performance than SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment).

  The “Peripheral Component Interconnect” part of PCIe’s name indicates that the technology is developed to enable connection with non-core components. Using PCIe slots, you can add graphics cards, WiFi cards, RAID cards, SSD add-on cards, etc. The cards you can connect with PCIe slots are known as PCIe cards. The physical links between your processor and supported devices are known as PCIe lanes.

  PCIe lanes facilitate data transfer in both directions. They are made of four copper wires. These wires are called “traces,” and they connect any PCIe-compatible device to the processor or motherboard chipset.

  How Does PCIe Work?

  PCIe, or PCI Express, technology is the latest version of traditional PCI technology. Just like its predecessor, PCIe slots can be connected to any PCIe-compatible component by physically sliding the card into it. After that, you will enjoy PCIe’s high bandwidth communication capability between your motherboard, device, and other components of your computer.

  There are some external PCIe slots available as well. To use them, the components you want to add will have to be ePCIe-enabled. They also require special cables and ePCIe ports to establish connections with your computer.

  Different PCIe Formats

  When discussing different PCIe formats, you will need to understand two key characteristics of PCIe: its physical size and technology version. Below, we will look at both.

  PCIe Sizes

  The “x16” part of the PCIe x16 indicates the slot’s or card’s physical size. There are four PCIe sizes available: x1, x4, x8, and x16. Here, x1 is the smallest, and x16 is the largest in size. The table below contains the length and number of pins of different PCIe sizes.

  When installing a PCIe card, you will have to ensure that the card is no bigger than the slot’s size. A smaller card can fit into a bigger slot, but a bigger card, in most cases, cannot fit into a smaller slot. For example, you can install a PCIe x4 card into a PCIe x4, x8, or x16 slot. But you cannot fit it into a x1 slot unless the slot is open-ended.

  PCIe Versions

  On a motherboard or device, if it is PCIe-supported, you will find the PCIe version it supports. All PCIe versions have forward and backward compatibility. However, each upgraded version offers significantly better bandwidth, more power efficiency, and a few additional features.

  Currently, there are six PCIe versions available. Among them, PCIe version 6.0 is the fastest and the best performing. Below, we have listed each version’s bandwidth and how it is amplified in an x16 slot.

  Where Is the PCIe x16 Slot Located?

  As we have already mentioned, PCIe x16 slots are located on your motherboard. A PCIe x16 slot will sit right below the CPU socket in most cases. However, some modern motherboards have an M.2 storage drive between the PCIe x16 slot and the CPU socket.

  What Do PCIe x16 Slots Look Like?

  Since PCIe x16 slots are the largest, you can easily find them on your motherboard. PCIe x16 slots look like RAM slots, with 82 pins on their surface. They are 89 mm in length. In comparison, a PCIe x1 slot has 18 pins and measures 25 mm in length. Therefore, x16 slots are visibly much larger than x1 slots.

  What Are the Uses of PCIe x16 Slots?

  PCIe x16 slots are primarily used for installing graphics cards as they generate the most amount of data and require high bandwidth. However, since PCIe slots are also backward compatible, you can install WiFi cards, RAID cards, SSD expansion cards, and other PCIe-compatible devices as well. However, by using a smaller card, you will underutilize the full potential of a PCIe x16 slot.

  Does It Matter What PCIe x16 Slots You Use?

  Yes, it matters what PCIe x16 slot you use to connect your expansion card. Not all x16 slots are equal; some have fewer lanes despite having the same physical size. When there are multiple PCIe slots available, at least one of them often has 8 or 4 PCIe lanes.

  The PCIe x16 slots that actually contain 16 lanes are called True PCIe x16 slots. If you want to take full advantage of the high bandwidth and performance of a PCIe x16 slot, you will need to connect your device through a True x16 slot. For example, for installing graphics cards, always use True PCIe x16 slots.

  On the other hand, some motherboards have multiple PCIe x16 slots, and at least one of them offers at most 8-lane bandwidth. The x16 slot with lower lane measures can never fully utilize a powerful graphics card. Therefore, you will never get your desired performance. So you have to be very careful in deciding which PCIe x16 slot you use.