Which slots are effectively unusable when a GTX 1080 Ti GPU is installed?

[padrepedro]

Hi,

I'm planning to build a new system with:
* CPU: Intel Core i7 8700K (so Coffee Lake)
* mobo: GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 (which includes 3 M.2 slots) => https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z370-AORUS-Gaming-7-rev-10#kf
* GPU: GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Xtreme Edition 11G => http://www.gigabyte.us/Graphics-Card/GV-N108TAORUS-X-11GD#kf
* and of course other stuff (2 or 3 M.2 NVMe SSDs, 64 GiB RAM, Big Air cooler,...), but that doesn't really matter right now

I've read (although on non-official websites) that the aforementioned GPU takes in 2.5 or 3 slots (no idea what value is correct). When I plug in the GPU in the first PCIex16 slot, which other slots become unusable then? I suppose 1 PCIex1 slot (just below the first PCIex16 slot, as there seems to be a free "slot space" between them), right? But what about the M.2 slot in the middle? It seems that slot (where 110mm is supported BTW) can't be used either? Or can a SSD be plugged in there while residing UNDER the GPU (and if so, is that a good idea, although I reckon it's positioned under the GPU's fans)?

I just would like to know if I loose an M.2 slot when placing a serious GPU.

Thanks in advance!!

Padre Pedro

 

[Albionm00n]

Greetings!

As long as you install the M.2 before you install your GPU you should be just fine. The board is designed to have that M.2 hidden behind the 1st GPU

Hope this helps!

 

[DRagor]

That GPU will make PCIe x1 slot unusable, but next x8 slot will be usable.
The M.2 slot under GPU can be used, but note that GPU will heat up that area, which is not good for SSD. There are ways to cool SSD, but the shield probably won't get under GPU.
You will not lose any M.2 slots if using only one GPU, no matter what kind if GPU it would be.

 

[padrepedro]

Hi, thanks both of you for the very (!) quick replies!

Now I have two more questions (sorry about that... ;-)):
1) Where can I find official (or other) information about which precise locations are unused? I've read about 2.5 or 3 slots being taken in by the GPU, but I've read that on vendors' sites and you know this information can't always be trusted...
2) On https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z370-AORUS-Gaming-7-rev-10#kf I read "Triple Ultra-Fast M.2 with PCIe Gen3 x4 interface and Thermal Guard". This gives the impression that the 3 M.2 slots have a cooling lid, although the picture shows otherwise. I know there are mobos which DO have 3 M.2 connectors with such a cooling lid (like https://www.pcper.com/news/Motherboards/GIGABYTEs-X399-DESIGNARE-EX). Does anyone know how many Thermal Guards there are for the 3 M.2 connectors for the Z370 AORUS Gaming 7? Is such a Thermal Guard something optional (that can be bought separately) for the 2 M.2 slots on the picture without such a lid? With the GIGABYTEs-X399-DESIGNARE-EX the GPUs would still be able to be placed over Thermal Guards...

thanks!

Padre Pedro