20
Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 Series Motherboard
English
2.4 Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots)
There are 2 PCI slots and 5 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 / PCIE3 (PCIE x1 slot; Black) is used for PCI Express cards with
x1 lane width cards, such as Gigabit LAN card, SATA2 card, etc.
PCIE2 / PCIE4 (PCIE x16 slot; Red) is used for PCI Express x16 lane
width graphics cards, or used to install PCI Express graphics cards to
support CrossFireX
TM
or SLI
TM
function.
PCIE5 (PCIE x16 slot; Red) is used for PCI Express x4 lane width
graphics cards, or used to install PCI Express graphics cards to support
3-Way CrossFireX
TM
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
TM
mode or SLI
TM
mode, please install PCI Express
x16 graphics cards on PCIE2 and PCIE4 slots. Therefore, both
these two slots will work at x8 bandwidth.
3. In 3-Way CrossFireX
TM
mode, please install PCI Express x16
graphics cards on PCIE2, PCIE4 and PCIE5 slots. Therefore,
PCIE2 and PCIE4 slots will work at x8 bandwidth while PCIE5 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.
5. To run the PCI Express in Gen 3 speed, please must install the Ivy
Bridge CPU which supports PCI Express Gen3. If you install the
Sandy Bridge CPU, the PCI Express will run only at PCI Express
Gen 2 speed.
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
fi
rmly until the card is
completely seated on the slot.
