ASRock Fatal1ty Z77 Professional-M - Manual (Page 21)

Fatal1ty Z77 Professional-M Series Motherboard
21
English
2.6 Expansion Slots (PCI Express Slots)
There are 4 PCI Express slots on this motherboard.
PCIE slots: PCIE1 (PCIE 3.0 x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x16 lane width
graphics cards, or to install PCI Express graphics cards to support
CrossFireX
TM or SLI TM function.
PCIE2 (PCIE 2.0 x1 slot) is used for a PCI Express x1 lane width card,
such as a Gigabit LAN card, SATA2 card, etc.
PCIE3 (PCIE 3.0 x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x8 lane width graph-
ics cards, or to install PCI Express graphics cards to support CrossFi-
reX
TM or SLI TM function.
PCIE4 (PCIE 2.0 x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x4 lane width graph-
ics cards, or to install PCI Express graphics cards to support 3-Way
CrossFireX TM . And for installing ASRock Game Blaster.
1. In single VGA card mode, it is recommended to install a PCI Express
x16 graphics card on PCIE1 slot.
2. In CrossFireX TM mode or SLI TM mode, please install the PCI Express
x16 graphics cards on PCIE1 and PCIE3 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 PCIE1, PCIE3 and PCIE4 slots. Therefore, PCIE1
and PCIE3 slots will work at x8 bandwidth while PCIE4 slot will work
at x4 bandwidth.
4. Please connect a chassis fan to the motherboard’s chassis fan
connector (CHA_FAN1 or CHA_FAN2) when using multiple graphics
cards for better thermal environment.
5. Only PCIE1 and PCIE3 slots support Gen 3 speed. To run the PCI
Express in Gen 3 speed, please install an Ivy Bridge CPU. If you
install a Sandy Bridge CPU, the PCI Express will run only at PCI
Express Gen 2 speed.
Installing an expansion card
Step 1. Before installing an 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 firmly 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.