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Chapter 2 Installation Instructions
Expansion Slots
PCI Slots
The expansion cards can be installed in the two PCI slots. When you install or
remove such cards, please make sure that the power cord has been unplugged
from the power supply. Please read carefully the instructions provided for such
cards, then install and set the necessary hardware and software for such cards,
such as the jumper or BIOS settings.
This motherboard includes two 32-bit Master PCI bus slots and one PCI Ex-
press x1 slot, and one PCI Express x16 slot.
PCI Express Slots
PCI Express will offer the following design advantages over the PCI and AGP
interface:
-Compatible with existing PCI drivers and software and Operating Systems.
-High Bandwidth per Pin. Low overhead. Low latency.
-PCI Express supports a raw bit-rate of 2.5Gb/s on the data pins. This re-
sults in a real bandwidth per pair of 250MB/s.
-A point to point connection, allows each device to have a dedicated connec-
tion without sharing bandwidth.
-Ability to comprehend different data structure.
-Low power consumption and power management features.
PCI Express will take two forms, x16 and x1 PCI Express slots. Whereas the x16
slot is reserved for graphic/video cards, the x1 slots are designed to accommo-
date less bandwidth-intensive cards, such as a modem or LAN card.
The difference in bandwidth between the x16 and x1 slots are notable to be
sure, with the x16 slot pushing 4 GB/sec (8 GB/sec concurrent) of bandwidth,
and the x1 PCI Express slot offering 250 MB/sec.
Warning:
If a performance graphics card was installed to 16x PCI Ex-
press slot, 2x12 pin power supply was strongly recommended,
since that card maybe drawn 75W power.