ASRock 990FX EXTREME3 [19/68] Expansion slots pci and pci express slots

2.4 Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots)

There are 2 PCI slots and 4 PCI Express slots on this motherboard.

PCI Slots: PCI slots are used to install expansion cards that have the 32-bit PCI

interface.

PCIE Slots:

PCIE1 (PCIE x1 slot; Black) is used for PCI Express cards with x1 lane

width cards, such as Gigabit LAN card and SATA2 card.

PCIE2 / PCIE3 (PCIE x16 slot; Black) is used for PCI Express x16 lane

width graphics cards, or used to install PCI Express graphics cards to

support SLI

and CrossFireX

function.

PCIE4 (PCIE x16 slot; Black) is used for PCI Express x4 lane width

cards, or used to install PCI Express graphics cards to support 3-Way

CrossFireX

function.

1. In single VGA card mode, it is recommended to install a PCI Ex-

press x16 graphics card on PCIE2 slot.

2. In CrossFireX

or SLI

mode, please install PCI Express x16

graphics cards on PCIE2 and PCIE3 slots. Therefore, both these

two slots will work at x16 bandwidth.

3. In 3-Way CrossFireX

mode, please install PCI Express x16 graph-

ics cards on PCIE2, PCIE3 and PCIE4 slots. Therefore, PCIE2 and

PCIE3 slots will work at x16 bandwidth while PCIE4 slot will work at

x4 bandwidth.

4. Please connect a chassis fan to motherboard chassis fan connec-

tor (CHA_FAN1, CHA_FAN2 or CHA_FAN3) when using multiple

graphics cards for better thermal environment.

Installing an expansion card

Step 1. Before installing the expansion card, please make sure that the power

supply is switched off or the power cord is unplugged. Please read the

documentation of the expansion card and make necessary hardware

settings for the card before you start the installation.

Step 2. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is already installed

in a chassis).

Step 3. Remove the bracket facing the slot that you intend to use. Keep the

screws for later use.

Step 4. Align the card connector with the slot and press rmly until the card is

completely seated on the slot.

Step 5. Fasten the card to the chassis with screws.

Step 6. Replace the system cover.