PCI slots

I am reviewing motherboards for a first-time build, and am unfamiliar
with the availability of the PCI slot next the AGP slot. My present
computer is nearly 10 years old and doesn't have an AGP slot, but does
have some ISA slots, as well as PCI slots. If an adjacent PCI slot is
used on my present motherboard, this means I cannot use the
neighboring ISA slot, and vice versa -- if I use a neighboring ISA
slot, I cannot use the closest PCI slot. My questions is: is this
true of the PCI slot and adjacent AGP slot on current motherboards?
That is, if the AGP slot is used, does this mean the adjacent,
neighboring PCI slot cannot be used? Thank you.

Timothy Lee wrote:

I am reviewing motherboards for a first-time build, and am unfamiliar
with the availability of the PCI slot next the AGP slot. My present
computer is nearly 10 years old and doesn't have an AGP slot, but does
have some ISA slots, as well as PCI slots. If an adjacent PCI slot is
used on my present motherboard, this means I cannot use the
neighboring ISA slot, and vice versa -- if I use a neighboring ISA
slot, I cannot use the closest PCI slot. My questions is: is this
true of the PCI slot and adjacent AGP slot on current motherboards?
That is, if the AGP slot is used, does this mean the adjacent,
neighboring PCI slot cannot be used? Thank you.

..


No, the PCI slot and AGP slot are not "shared." The components and
bracket on an AGP card are mounted on the same side as a PCI card.

Timothy Lee wrote:
I am reviewing motherboards for a first-time build, and am unfamiliar
with the availability of the PCI slot next the AGP slot. My present
computer is nearly 10 years old and doesn't have an AGP slot, but does
have some ISA slots, as well as PCI slots. If an adjacent PCI slot is
used on my present motherboard, this means I cannot use the
neighboring ISA slot, and vice versa -- if I use a neighboring ISA
slot, I cannot use the closest PCI slot. My questions is: is this
true of the PCI slot and adjacent AGP slot on current motherboards?
That is, if the AGP slot is used, does this mean the adjacent,
neighboring PCI slot cannot be used? Thank you.

No. Most (if not all) motherboards with AGP slots have the AGP and PCI slots
placed far apart enough so that the above mentioned problem does not occur.

On 21 Jun 2004 11:24:43 -0700, (Timothy Lee)
wrote:

I am reviewing motherboards for a first-time build, and am unfamiliar
with the availability of the PCI slot next the AGP slot. My present
computer is nearly 10 years old and doesn't have an AGP slot, but does
have some ISA slots, as well as PCI slots. If an adjacent PCI slot is
used on my present motherboard, this means I cannot use the
neighboring ISA slot, and vice versa -- if I use a neighboring ISA
slot, I cannot use the closest PCI slot. My questions is: is this
true of the PCI slot and adjacent AGP slot on current motherboards?
That is, if the AGP slot is used, does this mean the adjacent,
neighboring PCI slot cannot be used? Thank you.

There's no technical limitation preventing you from using both AGP and
PCI slot 0, *but* it's generally recommended that you leave an empty
space between the video card and the other expansion cards. The
reason being that modern video cards produce a fair amount of heat.
Having the neighboring slot occupied reduces airflow and cooling
efficiency for the video card. It also exposes the neighboring card
to a fairly hot heat source. In theory, that can affect the
performance and longevity of both.


---------------------------------------------

MCheu

In message MCheu
wrote:

There's no technical limitation preventing you from using both AGP and
PCI slot 0, *but* it's generally recommended that you leave an empty
space between the video card and the other expansion cards. The
reason being that modern video cards produce a fair amount of heat.
Having the neighboring slot occupied reduces airflow and cooling
efficiency for the video card. It also exposes the neighboring card
to a fairly hot heat source. In theory, that can affect the
performance and longevity of both.

Any thoughts on mounting fans that either suck air out, or blow straight
on the video card (typically mounting in the empty slot, using airflow
through the expansion slot)


--
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On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 15:41:12 -0400, MCheu wrote:


There's no technical limitation preventing you from using both AGP and
PCI slot 0, *but* it's generally recommended that you leave an empty
space between the video card and the other expansion cards. The
reason being that modern video cards produce a fair amount of heat.
Having the neighboring slot occupied reduces airflow and cooling
efficiency for the video card. It also exposes the neighboring card
to a fairly hot heat source. In theory, that can affect the
performance and longevity of both.

I'll second that, it is best to leave that first slot empty unless you
REALLY need it. Further, many cases' airflow past the card is improved if
that PCI slot's case bracket cover is left off the machine. That may
allow more EMI to escape, but it is easy enough to notice whether that
makes a difference to any other equipment, whether the cover is on or off.

With my old AGP 1x card I can use the adjacent PCI slot with no problems. Newer AGP cards produce so much heat that the required heatsink and fan will block the adjacent PCI slot.

Timothy Lee wrote:

I am reviewing motherboards for a first-time build, and am unfamiliar
with the availability of the PCI slot next the AGP slot. My present
computer is nearly 10 years old and doesn't have an AGP slot, but does
have some ISA slots, as well as PCI slots. If an adjacent PCI slot is
used on my present motherboard, this means I cannot use the
neighboring ISA slot, and vice versa -- if I use a neighboring ISA
slot, I cannot use the closest PCI slot. My questions is: is this
true of the PCI slot and adjacent AGP slot on current motherboards?
That is, if the AGP slot is used, does this mean the adjacent,
neighboring PCI slot cannot be used? Thank you.

--

When replying by Email include NewSGrouP (case sensitive) in Subject

Mike Walsh
West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A.

Mike Walsh wrote:
With my old AGP 1x card I can use the adjacent PCI slot with no
problems. Newer AGP cards produce so much heat that the required
heatsink and fan will block the adjacent PCI slot.

No it doesn't. I have a GeForce FX 5600XT and the PCI slot next to it is not
blocked. The airflow to the video card is siginifcantly reduced but the slot
is definitly not blocked.

Timothy Lee wrote:

I am reviewing motherboards for a first-time build, and am unfamiliar
with the availability of the PCI slot next the AGP slot. My present
computer is nearly 10 years old and doesn't have an AGP slot, but
does have some ISA slots, as well as PCI slots. If an adjacent PCI
slot is used on my present motherboard, this means I cannot use the
neighboring ISA slot, and vice versa -- if I use a neighboring ISA
slot, I cannot use the closest PCI slot. My questions is: is this
true of the PCI slot and adjacent AGP slot on current motherboards?
That is, if the AGP slot is used, does this mean the adjacent,
neighboring PCI slot cannot be used? Thank you.

On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 00:56:32 GMT, "The Prophecy"
wrote:

Mike Walsh wrote:
With my old AGP 1x card I can use the adjacent PCI slot with no
problems. Newer AGP cards produce so much heat that the required
heatsink and fan will block the adjacent PCI slot.

No it doesn't. I have a GeForce FX 5600XT and the PCI slot next to it is not
blocked. The airflow to the video card is siginifcantly reduced but the slot
is definitly not blocked.


It may not be but with a card installed in that slot the fan will be
recycling so much of it's exhaust that it's effectiveness (and lifespan of
fan with higher spot-temp) will be far lower.