PCIe Extension Ribbon Side-Effects

[Woohoopy]

Hey everybody! I was looking into a way to have a PCI Express 3.0 x 16 graphics card (like an Nvidia Geforce 650ti) or something, separate from the Motherboard itself. So I searched it up and learned about these neat little ribbon extensions - http://www.ebay.com/itm/PCI-Express-PCI-E-16X-Riser-Card-Flex-Flexible-Ribbon-Extender-Extension-Cable-/400504001453 -

My question is first of all, is this the right ribbon? Second, is there any performance loss from using these? Thanks!

 

[maxiim]

All PCIE 3.0 cards are backwards compatible, so you get nothing by putting that in, and even if that wasnt the case, if your mobo is PCIE 2.0 thats what you would utilize.

 

[InvalidError]

At a glance, it looks like it could be the real thing.

As for performance, digital stuff tends to either work or fail to work and that largely depends on how tight tolerances are on this thing. If tolerances are good, you should be able to use PCIe 3.0 signaling speed with it but if they are loose, you may need to limit operation to PCIe 2.0 or even PCIe 1.0 speed.

As far as the PCIe specs themselves are concerned, there is no reason for it not to work as long as total attenuation and impedance continuity are within tolerances.

 

[4745454b]

Why do you need it separate from the motherboard? Should be the right cable but I'm not sure you really need it.

 

[Barhumbug]

The spec on the advert says "PCI Express Specification Version 1.0 Compliant", so I would be a bit concerned that it wouldn't give you the full speed of a PCIe 3.0 card, and may even bottleneck PCIe 2.0.

 

[Woohoopy]

Exactly my concern. For now I've only seen these ribbons with 1.0 next to them, which would really hurt the card performance wise. (If that's what the 1.0 is referring to). I'm trying to make a very very small form factor computer, and I realized that if the gpu separate from the mobo would help.

 

[maxiim]

There really is no need for that, Linus on NCIX or LinusTechTips on youtube has done a couple of videos on small form PC builds, check them out.

 

[smeezekitty]

The cables just pass thorugh, as long as it is PCI-E x16 then it should run at the motherboard's speed.

 

[InvalidError]

The cables just pass thorugh, as long as it is PCI-E x16 then it should run at the motherboard's speed.

Assuming the signals pass through clean enough to allow that. High speed signals are very fussy about how clean their wires are and at PCIe-class rates, you do need to take all transmission line effects into account to meet specs.

 

[4745454b]

I wouldn't worry about it. Even PCIe 1.0 should be enough for most cards. Full x16 that is. And if this is some special mod/created case then you get props for even having a GPU in there instead of using the IGP. I would just use it.

Edit: I'm sure we've all seen this a bunch of times. And as a special case I doubt you'll be putting a 680 in there. You'll probably be limited to single slot cards, maybe even those that don't have a 6pin plug to cut down on heat. Though we don't know.

 

[Woohoopy]

Thanks for the help guys, I think I'm gonna buy one of these, put it on the build I have now, and check the bus speeds with gpu-z. Ill get back to everyone, and thanks for all the great help!

 

[DarkSable]

Hey, sorry for the necro, but woohoopy, did you ever get around to doing that?

Are these cables well enough made to prevent a bottleneck? The reason I ask is because I'm about to start doing pretty much the exact same thing as you... only I'm going to be using a GTX 680 PCB in a special SFF case, just to make fun of the moderator. (I'm watercooling, so I can get away with the heat.)

 

[4745454b]

You Necro AND make fun of a mod? BEWARE THE WRATH OF THE MODS!

While I was just kidding I wasn't a mod when this thread was made, so I couldn't close it before. Rather then Necro when you have a question like this, please use the PM function.