It means it has the physical width of a 16 lane slot but with only 4 of the lanes actually wired into the chipset.
Regards, Jason Tozer Database Analyst London Ext 1131 - 3SC.5 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Anthony Q. Martin Sent: 20 September 2007 01:24 To: The Hardware List Subject: Re: [H] PCI-e x16 vx PCI-e x16 (electrical x4) thanks for the explanation. What does "x16 physical ports with x4 electrical data lanes" mean, exactly? I guess I can go google this, though. Thanks. Greg Sevart wrote: > So you can install x8 or x16 cards into the slot and still operate them, > albeit at a reduced speed. For example, the P35 Express chipset has 22 total > PCIe lanes (16 on the P35 NB, 6 on the ICH9/R SB). There simply aren't > enough available lanes to provide two full x16 ports. Instead, they fit one > of the x16 physical ports with x4 electrical (data) lanes. This allows you > to use Crossfire if you're so inclined, or to install PCIe RAID adapters, > etc. > > Most PCIe cards can fall back to smaller lane widths if the full width isn't > available. My x8 Areca controller supports x8, x4, or x1--and I'm running it > at x4 in my P35-based board. > > Greg > > > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:hardware- >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Anthony Q. Martin >> Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 2:52 AM >> To: The Hardware List >> Subject: [H] PCI-e x16 vx PCI-e x16 (electrical x4) >> >> What does that mean? Obviously, the second is not a "real" pci-e 16 >> slot, though the mobo slot looks identical. Why would one want this? >> > > > > > This message and any attachment are confidential and may be privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, please telephone or email the sender and delete this message and any attachment from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you must not copy this message or attachment or disclose the contents to any other person. Incoming and outgoing email communications may be monitored by Clifford Chance, as permitted by applicable law and regulations. For further information about Clifford Chance please see our website at http://www.cliffordchance.com or refer to any Clifford Chance office. Clifford Chance LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales under number OC323571. The firm's registered office and principal place of business is at 10 Upper Bank Street, London, E14 5JJ. For further details, including a list of members and their professional qualifications, see our website at www.cliffordchance.com. The firm uses the word 'partner' to refer to a member of Clifford Chance LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications. The firm is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The Authority's rules can be accessed by clicking on the following link: http://www.sra.org.uk/code-of-conduct.page
