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My question is fairly simple. Can a x4 physical (mechanical component) fit in a x16 PCIe, which is at x4 mode?

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  • I have never seen x16 slot run at x4. Why is it doing that? What motherboard chipset is that?
    – paradroid
    Jan 18, 2011 at 13:55
  • newegg.ca/Product/…-13-131-665--Product Take a look at the last black slot.
    – Burnzy
    Jan 18, 2011 at 14:30
  • I would guess it is for compatibility since a x16 pci-e component will never fit in a x4 physical slot, unless you are really really persuasive and have an hammer nearby
    – Burnzy
    Jan 18, 2011 at 14:48
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    @burnzy the sabertooth has slightly larger heatsinks, which will be beneficial if overclocking. Otherwise they don't matter. The sabertooth has USB3 which might be useful over the next year or two. Otherwise I'd make my decision based on the slot layouts, and what slots will be free after you install all your cards. Jan 18, 2011 at 21:20
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    @paradroid they're not common (16/8/8) is more likely to be useful, but I'd rather have the option of inserting an x16 card later if I find a need to do so; 4x physical slots often preclude this, and have reduced mechanical support even when the card will physically fit. Jan 18, 2011 at 21:22

1 Answer 1

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Yes. The x16 slot is physically bigger than the x4 card and has 4 PCIe lanes available, so the x4 card will fit, and run at full speed.

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  • +1 right on, also works with X1 slots too. Jan 18, 2011 at 14:00
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    @Kyle isnt a x1 slot smaller than an x4? Im not sure I agree with your statement.
    – Chris
    Jul 14, 2012 at 2:23
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    @chris a I meant x1 card can fit in a 16x slot. Wording is a little weird there since I used the term slot instead of card. For clarification a 16x slot can take a 8x, 4x, and 1x card. Jul 15, 2012 at 3:04
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    @Kyle ahh my mistake, I was assuming you were speaking in context of the original question. Cheers
    – Chris
    Jul 15, 2012 at 3:22
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    it might not work or require complicated configuration: superuser.com/questions/1602514/… Dec 5, 2020 at 19:21

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