How to Identify PCI Express vs PCI controller slot?

[james1978]

Hi, I've I5 processor with dual 2.5" bay containing 1 solid state drive.

CPU-Z software shows my processor name as "Intel Core i5 3427U".

Now, I want to connect an additional drive to this processor. In my earlier thread http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1664001/install-2nd-hard-drive-chef-river-processor.html, I've been told that I need to get the separate PCI Express card to connect my Bluray drive.

Now, I'm really not sure whether I need PCI Express card or PCI Controller card.

Will any of these card work with my processor (i5 3427U)?

I'm not expert & hence like to know what slot do I have. It does not say anything on motherboard. How does PCI express differ from PCI controller card. Based on my processor information, can any one help me out if PCI controller card will work for me or not or do I need only PCI Express card?

Note: I've attached the pic of motherboard as well here http://www.flickr.com/photos/99281482@N08/9337873337/.

Update: Here is the pic of my Device Manager: http://www.flickr.com/photos/99281482@N08/9337996339/
Thanks!

 

[k1114]

They are physically different slots. The picture you have shows a pcie slot.

 

[james1978]

They are physically different slots. The picture you have shows a pcie slot.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/PCI_und_PCIe_Slots.jpg

Hi, Thanks for the reply. But how do you know that it is a PCIE slot? Also, is it PCI-E 16 or PCI-E 32 slot?? I read somewhere that usually PCI-E slots have a small click to attach the card but my screenshot does not contain that clicking portion. Hence want to know if its really PCIE slot or not?

Thanks!

 

[k1114]

I attached a picture which shows the different slots. Usually pcie x16 slots will have a locking clip but you will find motherboards like yours without them.

Device manager is not going to say what slots you have.

 

[james1978]

I attached a picture which shows the different slots. Usually pcie x16 slots will have a locking clip but you will find motherboards like yours without them.

Device manager is not going to say what slots you have.

Thanks again for the reply. However, how can you say for sure that mine is PCI-E x 16 only? Why would it not be PCI controller card??

I don't see any difference in the picture that you attached except that the PCI controllers slot's small divider is on the reverse side compare to PCI-E slot's small divider. Looking at my motherboards picture, it could be either of these cards, so how do you know for sure that it is PCI-E x 16 only?

Note that my internal graphics card is "Intl HD Graphics 4000" in i5 3427U processor.

Thanks!

 

[k1114]

There are a different number of pins, and they are wired differently. You also cannot install a card upside down even if they were the same size but opposite. It's like a circle peg in a square hole, you just seem to be complicating this.

 

[Nikos K]

How to identify if the pci slot is x1,x4,x8?

 

[k1114]

You really don't find physical x4 and x8 slots besides x16 slots with those speeds so you'd just look at the mobo specs. You can easily see the size difference of them if they were physical though.

I'm going to close this if you don't mind, it's over a year old bump. If you have further questions, make a new thread or pm me.