Question about pcie slot

[Sonny Prince]

I noticed many boards have a pci-e x1 slot directly under the top pci-e x16 slot which would make it useless. Can a video card be plugged into ANY pci-e x16 slot on a board? I'm trying to build a gaming comp on a budget and want to reuse my pci sound and nic cards, but want 2 open pcie x1 slots for future upgrades, those cards won't last forever. The msi g43 gaming would be great for me if I could use either slot.

 

[James Mason]

Actually, you can install 1x cards into 4x/8x/16x slots.
So no worries about the #of PCI 1x slots on a board.

 

[davcon]

The video card should be seated in the 1st pci-e x16 for maximum performance.(gen3)
The 2nd(blue) pci-e slot on the MSI G43 is (gen2) and only runs at x4.
As James Mason posted you can use pci-e 1x in any slot.

 

[Sonny Prince]

Thanks guys, that's exactly what I was looking for. Didn't know you could plug a x1 into a x16 slot. I appreciate the help!