Question What is this spare slot ?

[simmyx]

Mobo is
GA-F2A78M-HD2

• Expansion Slots
  1. 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16
  2. (The PCI Express x16 slot conforms to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)
     * To support PCI Express 3.0, you must install an FM2+ APU.
  3. 1 x PCI Express x1 slot
  4. (The PCI Express x1 slot conforms to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)
  5. 1 x PCI slot

What is the spare slot underneath the GPU for ? I heard it's a PCI Slot, what is this used for ?

 

[richiestang_78]

That looks like a PCI slot, which is the older standard. As far as its uses plenty back int he day. For a modern device pretty much nothing.

 

[sizzling]

Lots of things it could be used for. WiFi card, Soundcard, Additional USB card to name a few.

 

[richiestang_78]

If you can track down old hardware sure.

 

[drea.drechsler]

Lots of things it could be used for. WiFi card, Soundcard, Additional USB card to name a few.

It still provides all the bandwidth needed for those peripherals and even gigabit LAN cards. It's also easy to find PCI add-in cards at Newegg and Microcenter . I think the only real reason they aren't included in mainstream motherboards today is it requires bridging circuitry to feed it. Anything to bring down cost.