RTX 2070 slotted into second PCI-E slot on ASRock Z390 Extreme4 LGA 1151 motherboard

[aafusc2988]

I just found out after asking the question if my GPU had enough room between the bottom where the fans are and the top of my PSU (separated by a panel with holes in it in my NZXT H500 case - about 1.5 inches from bottom of GPU to this panel) that my GPU was not in the x16 PCI-E slot on my motherboard, which is the first slot.

My cooler, be quiet! Shadow Rock TF2 is gigantic and when building with my friend we didn't think the GPU would fit in the first PCI-E slot which I have now discovered is the x16 slot. In eyeballing this morning I think I can fit it in the first slot but it would literally be less than an inch (probably half an inch) from the bottom of the cooler (the silver blades that protrude out) to the top of the exposed GPU. This would mean if I ever need to take my GPU out I'd need to be REALLY careful to only lift straight up as to not scratch it on the cooler (all the exposed components on the top of the GPU).

I guess my question is, what performance am I missing out on just leaving the GPU in the second slot on this motherboard? My friend and I also did not get a GPU detected on initial startup but we only had the 6 pin plugged in (or 8 pin? I can't recall). When we plugged the 4 pin alongside the 6 pin (or 8 pin), it worked immediately and I haven't had problems since. He was afraid of shorting or blowing something having both in, but that was the only way to get it to work. Does x16 slot still require both plugins from the PSU? Excuse my ignorance.

All specs in signature... PSU is Corsair CX650M 80+ Bronze Certified 650W.

Here's a pic: https://imgur.com/eOuJNtS (it is pretty close to the bottom panel on this case that houses the PSU and hard drives - is this okay?)

 

[stevenjemint]

Not really. As long as the GPU is getting 8 lanes it should be fine

 

[stevenjemint]

Gamers Nexus tested this and the result were very similar (even within margin of error)

Article link here - https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/2488-pci-e-3-x8-vs-x16-performance-impact-on-gpus

 

[aafusc2988]

I'm not even running 1440p yet. Didn't upgrade my monitor - still on a 24 inch Asus 60hz 1080p monitor. Which after the potato I had just having amazing settings and awesome FPS in my games like Rainbow Six Siege, Hunt Showdown, (going from 60 FPS Ultra on Overwatch to max FPS in Epic settings), I am really happy as of now.

Was just worried the bottom of my GPU in my case was too close to the top of the PSU (but my PSU fan is pointing down out the bottom of the case), and there is still about 1.5 inches between the GPU fans and the panel on this case I mentioned. I also don't have intake fans yet, but just a top and back fan blowing out warm air and my giant cooler which is super quiet. I did buy 2 intake 120mm fans from NZXT but not sure how soon I want to get into this build and rummage around. I will just hold onto them.

Is the second slot on the ASRock Z390 x8?

 

[stevenjemint]

- 3 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slots (PCIE2/PCIE4/PCIE6: single at x16 (PCIE2); dual at x8 (PCIE2) / x8 (PCIE4); triple at x8 (PCIE2) / x8 (PCIE4) / x4 (PCIE6))*

The Manual seems to Indicate that PCIE 2 & PCIE4 (thats the 2 in the chrome shroud) are x16

 

[stevenjemint]

Mother

board layout -

 

[aafusc2988]

- 3 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slots (PCIE2/PCIE4/PCIE6: single at x16 (PCIE2); dual at x8 (PCIE2) / x8 (PCIE4); triple at x8 (PCIE2) / x8 (PCIE4) / x4 (PCIE6))*

The Manual seems to Indicate that PCIE 2 & PCIE4 (thats the 2 in the chrome shroud) are x16

Well I'm in that second chrome slot closer to the bottom. Sorry for my ignorance - does this mean it's the same as the first slot?

 

[stevenjemint]

yes

 

[stevenjemint]

https://i.imgur.com/xZpCKgj.jpg

 

[aafusc2988]

I guess my initial question still stands though... am I okay with the bottom of my GPU (from the fans) being 1.5 inches from the top of the bottom panel of my NZXT H500 case? The PSU and GPU are not competing for the same air as the PSU fans are pointing down out the bottom of the case. The GPU fans are pointing down 1.5 inches from the holes above the PSU.

Also, is initial bootup temp of 42.5 Celcius okay?

 

[aafusc2988]

What's the difference between single x16 in the first chrome slot and dual x8 in the second?

 

[stevenjemint]

I guess my initial question still stands though... am I okay with the bottom of my GPU (from the fans) being 1.5 inches from the top of the bottom panel of my NZXT H500 case? The PSU and GPU are not competing for the same air as the PSU fans are pointing down out the bottom of the case. The GPU fans are pointing down 1.5 inches from the holes above the PSU.

Also, is initial bootup temp of 42.5 Celcius okay?

What's the difference between single x16 in the first chrome slot and dual x8 in the second?

1. That should be enough air to keep it cool, just keep an eye on the temps, for the GPU under full load you dont want to be above 80c

2. What that means is a single card will get x16 but DUAL cards would get 8 each.

 

[aafusc2988]

Apparently per the motherboard's manual the second slot only supports x8..

 

[stevenjemint]

Apparently per the motherboard's manual the second slot only supports x8..

"3 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slots (PCIE2/PCIE4/PCIE6)""

The manufacturer website says that PCIE2,4 and 6 are all x16 - Thats all the long slots.

Regardless of that we've already established that there would be no performance difference between x16 and x8 anyway

 

[aafusc2988]

Apparently per the motherboard's manual the second slot only supports x8..

"3 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slots (PCIE2/PCIE4/PCIE6)""

The manufacturer website says that PCIE2,4 and 6 are all x16 - Thats all the long slots.

Regardless of that we've already established that there would be no performance difference between x16 and x8 anyway

I'm seeing

- 3 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slots (PCIE2/PCIE4/PCIE6: single at x16 (PCIE2); dual at x8 (PCIE2) / x8 (PCIE4); triple at x8 (PCIE2) / x8 (PCIE4) / x4 (PCIE6))*

I think the second slot which I am using is PCIE4 which is written on the motherboard under the steel slot. So it seems it only supports x8...

 

[aafusc2988]

I think when my two 120mm intake fans come in I will unmounts the GPU, install the fans and then remount in PCIE2 slot for x16. I think it can work.. is it an issue if the exposed top of the GPU is half an inch from the fin stack blades?

 

[stevenjemint]

Apparently per the motherboard's manual the second slot only supports x8..

"3 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slots (PCIE2/PCIE4/PCIE6)""

The manufacturer website says that PCIE2,4 and 6 are all x16 - Thats all the long slots.

Regardless of that we've already established that there would be no performance difference between x16 and x8 anyway

I'm seeing

- 3 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slots (PCIE2/PCIE4/PCIE6: single at x16 (PCIE2); dual at x8 (PCIE2) / x8 (PCIE4); triple at x8 (PCIE2) / x8 (PCIE4) / x4 (PCIE6))*

I think the second slot which I am using is PCIE4 which is written on the motherboard under the steel slot. So it seems it only supports x8...

3 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slots (PCIE2/PCIE4/PCIE6: single at x16 (PCIE2); dual at x8 (PCIE2) / x8 (PCIE4); triple at x8 (PCIE2) / x8 (PCIE4) / x4 (PCIE6))*


What the 2nd part is saying, where it says dual, is that lane will be x8 if you have 2 cards installed.

 

[stevenjemint]

I think when my two 120mm intake fans come in I will unmounts the GPU, install the fans and then remount in PCIE2 slot for x16. I think it can work.. is it an issue if the exposed top of the GPU is half an inch from the fin stack blades?

I have also pointed out, several times, and showed you evidence, that there is no difference between x16 and x8 for your GPU.

 

[aafusc2988]

I think when my two 120mm intake fans come in I will unmounts the GPU, install the fans and then remount in PCIE2 slot for x16. I think it can work.. is it an issue if the exposed top of the GPU is half an inch from the fin stack blades?

I have also pointed out, several times, and showed you evidence, that there is no difference between x16 and x8 for your GPU.

Thanks. For me it's just aesthetics.. it's pretty close to the bottom panel of the case where the PSU rests underneath. But like I said they are not competing for same air. If I move it up a slot, it'll be very close to the bottom of the fin stack of the cooler. I still want to install the intake fans and it might be easier to do so with unmounting the GPU anyway as I have to install the fans outside of the case on a panel and put that panel back in with thumbscrews. Now I am trying to see where the PWM sys fan headers are on the board... but your diagram I saw yesterday isn't loading (work computer... ugh). I might need a 1-2 PWM splitter as I already have a top exhaust and rear exhaust connected to the motherboard - where I can't recall.