How to get a PCIe 1x Wifi Card into a PCIe x16 size slot at only x4 speed?

[thegreatman212]

Hi everybody.

I am thinking about upgrading my graphics card. My current graphics card is dual slot only, but the new one is 2.5 slots. For most, this isn't an issue. But for me it is because I have a WiFi card (Atheros AR5BWB222) directly under the current graphics card. If I install the new one, the WiFi card have to be moved and I will have no internet. Fortunately for me, though, I have a second PCIe slot that is x16 sized but runs at x4 speed safely below the area that will be taken up that could be used. Whenever I put the WiFi card into this slot, though, Windows crashes before even starting up (Machine-check exception). Is there something I have to do so stop this crashing? Is there something I am missing.

My motherboard is a GA-z77-DS3H from Gigabyte. The processor is an i7 3770k and the GPU a Powercolor 7970.

Here is an image of the situation:

 

[kanewolf]

You should be able to just plug it in. It won't care that the slot is physically an X16 size and it won't care that it is an X4 electrically. It will work just iike an x1.

 

[photonboy]

You should be able to just plug it in. It won't care that the slot is physically an X16 size and it won't care that it is an X4 electrically. It will work just iike an x1.

Except that it does NOT work. Hence the point of the post.

My guesses are:
a) Slot is defective (I recommend testing the 2nd slot with your graphics card. Leave out the wi-fi card for now.)

b) Maybe a BIOS setting? (can't think of what that might be)

c) BIOS update may help? (sometimes weird errors get fixed).

I'll see what the motherboard manual can provide, but at this point I'm leaning towards a bad slot.

 

[photonboy]

(While I'm thinking about the issue, I should add that I rarely have a CPU bottleneck with my i7-3770K + GTX1080. In case you wondered, pick any card you want.. the GTX1080Ti is an awesome card too, and arguably a good value)

There's even a Zotac mini GTX1070 for about $330USD (pcpartpicker) if that's closer to your budget.

The HD7970 is similar to a GTX680. Looking at benchmarks, it's possible to get UP TO about 2.5-3x the performance in games (i.e. 20FPS up to 60FPS) but realistically you'd likely just keep the FPS more solid (i.e 60FPS) whilst also raising graphics settings.

Other:
In several games I use Adaptive VSYNC. It forces 60FPS VSYNC ON (for my 60Hz monitor) but drops VSYNC if I can't output 60FPS (which causes screen tear rather than add stuttering).

NCP-> manage 3d settings-> add game-> adaptive vsync-> save (and test)

Adaptive VSYNC helped especially in some Assassin's Creed games. I'd tweak to get 60FPS about 90% of the time, then if something suddenly gets visually demanding it doesn't stutter which annoyed the hell out of me.

Also, a few games (not many) like Max Payne 3 drop the FPS in half if you can't maintain it. Such as 60FPS VSYNC ON, down to 30FPS VSYNC ON which can be jarring. I forced on the above then tweaked the game so I get mostly 60FPS but if I drop into the 50+ FPS range it gets a tiny bit of screen stutter. Not 30FPS jarring, slugghish crap.

 

[RainPC]

If you boot ok with your fx in the other full slot, or before. Try uninstalling the driver for your wifi card and then booting with the wifi card in its potential future home. Could be an issue from your driver causing the Win crash...

 

[photonboy]

Another option if you have a spare HDD or SSD, is to install Windows 10 or try at least to see if it's some weird conflict (not sure why it would be compatible in one PCIe slot but not the other though).
a) go to MS site, follow the create W10 instructions (even if W10 not installed now)
b) have ONLY the spare HDD/SSD attached (unhook data/power cables from back of other drives), AND move the wi-fi card to the problematic slot (leave the HD7970 where it is)
c) boot to thumb or DVD with W10
d) install and test network if you get that far (skip any W10 key request during install as it's just a test)

If you can finish the install and have wi-fi then we at least narrow down that issue.

I suppose you can also try to delete the drivers (Device Manager?), shut down, remove the device, start up, then shut down again and install in the x4 PCIe slot to see if that somehow fixes the glitch.

You can do a Windows 10 in-place Upgrade as well to see if that fixes any issues but I'd try the above option if possible.

Other:
Removing the main GPU (use iGPU) then try the wi-fi card in all PCIe slots and see what happens there. Again, maybe a bad slot but also possibly an add CONFLICT which may resolve if no graphics card is there.

It's best to isolate whether it's software (i.e. clean install of Windows if possible) to see where to concentrate.

 

[thegreatman212]

You should be able to just plug it in. It won't care that the slot is physically an X16 size and it won't care that it is an X4 electrically. It will work just iike an x1.

Except that it does NOT work. Hence the point of the post.

My guesses are:
a) Slot is defective (I recommend testing the 2nd slot with your graphics card. Leave out the wi-fi card for now.)

b) Maybe a BIOS setting? (can't think of what that might be)

c) BIOS update may help? (sometimes weird errors get fixed).

I'll see what the motherboard manual can provide, but at this point I'm leaning towards a bad slot.

Thanks for all the help in this thread! I really appreciate the effort you put into solving the problem. When I was beginning to implement your solutions, I noticed something. When I was moving around the PCIe cards, I wasn't turning off the PSU, but rather just unplugging the cord to the wall. I tried unplugging the PSU AND hitting the power switch on the back. Then, lo and behold, the computer booted up just fine. Windows required me to enter the WiFi password for some reason (used to auto-connect) but then the internet was working. I guess there was a leftover charge in the PSU messing with something???

Also, thanks for the advice on the graphics cards. I will be listening to it.

I wish I could select "best solution" to all three of your replies. You really put a lot into helping me.