5 useful upgrades for your PC’s unused PCIe slots

Even though smaller PCs are trending, bigger desktop towers featuring ATX motherboards remain favored—especially among enthusiasts looking to maximize system performance, as these machines possess a hidden advantage: PCIe slots.

If you assembled your own computer or have ever looked inside your gaming PC at the motherboard, you've likely noticed PCIe slots These well-known slots are primarily recognized as the spot for inserting your graphics card, featuring somewhat bothersome tabs that make it difficult to take out the GPU whenever you wish to swap or update it.

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However, PCIe slots serve purposes beyond just graphic cards. They have almost endless uses, so you're overlooking substantial additional performance and various functionalities if you've disregarded them. This will be even truer in the future. with the arrival of PCIe Gen 7 , offering enhanced capabilities with improved performance for both gaming systems and workstations.

Below are several of the most beneficial card types you should consider installing in your PCIe slots, along with tips on maximizing their utility.

1. PCIe graphics cards

If your desktop computer includes an mATX motherboard or even one that’s bigger, it's likely that you can find several PCIe slots available for use.

In that case, the primary slot probably operates at PCIe x16, indicating 16 data lanes, making it perfect for high-speed expansion options such as a graphics card If you have an additional slot available, it typically operates at PCIe x8, which is about half the speed compared to the primary slot. Therefore, the best option would be to install your graphics card in the main slot. Smaller PCI Express slots operate at either x1 or x4 speeds and are intended for lower bandwidth expansion cards (refer to below).

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However, everybody already possesses a graphics card, correct? Actually, the primary PCIe expansion card that most individuals are aware of is the graphics card, to such an extent that some mistakenly think the PCIe slot itself is only for a graphics card. only for GPUs.

There was a time when multi-GPU setups were the next big thing for gaming, but those have been defunct for a while now. Nvidia’s SLI tech for linking together GPUs is no longer supported .

But that doesn’t mean you can’t utilize a second high-performance GPU in your PC for other, non-gaming purposes. Graphics and 3D apps, together with video editing software like DaVinci Resolve, can effectively use more than one GPU for boosted performance.

Indeed, resource-intensive tasks are the best use case for multiple GPUs now. But for gaming or streaming, don’t even think about throwing in a second GPU. You might think more is merrier, but it usually causes more trouble than it’s worth, not to mention the extra space and PCIe slots taken from other potential PCIe add-ins.

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If you opt to install an additional GPU in your setup, keep certain considerations in mind. Typically, with most ATX motherboards, equipping two GPUs might limit both to operate at maximum x8 speeds, despite being connected to x16 slots. This capability is limited to specific high-end workstation or premium motherboard models.

Furthermore, if you possess dual GPUs for tasks like video editing or 3D rendering, monitor your system’s temperatures closely. Given that modern GPU cooling systems are quite extensive to handle high performance demands, using a blower-style configuration might be ideal for configurations involving multiple GPUs. In such setups, the upper GPU faces the highest risk due to reduced air circulation, potentially leading to heat buildup without sufficient ventilation.

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If you use liquid cooling for your GPUs, you could potentially run more than two—assuming your motherboard accommodates this setup. Certain applications benefit from utilizing two or more GPUs, and the reduced profile along with the efficient heat management through liquid cooling helps lower the chance of overheating.

2. PCIe storage cards

Aside from a graphics card, adding extra storage could likely be the best use for your vacant PCIe slots. Ultra-fast PCIe storage cards Several options have emerged in the market catering to both gamers and workstation users. Certain NVMe PCIe expansion cards can operate at x16 speeds and accommodate up to eight NVMe drives in an array, offering extremely rapid performance.

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With new games surpassing the 100GB milestone these days, having terabytes of storage space isn’t only something for video editors and data hoarders to worry about anymore.

Should your motherboard have additional PCIe slots following the installation of your graphics card(s), think about incorporating a PCIe storage card to enhance functionality significantly. These PCIe NVMe cards can be as compact as a single drive, occupying little space yet providing substantial high-speed performance.

Several premium motherboards, like those in the ASUS ROG Hero series, come bundled with a PCIe NVMe card to enhance storage capabilities. By maximizing the use of your motherboard’s PCIe slots, you can achieve significant improvements in storage capacity along with excellent performance.

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Additionally, one major advantage of utilizing internal PCIe storage cards is that they fit nicely within your computer case, eliminating the mess associated with numerous external data drives. Portable solid-state drives are excellent for additional storage. , you must handle cables which occupy physical space. PCIe storage remains hidden from view and out of your thoughts.

Not only that, but internal PCIe storage is faster. Even the fastest on-the-market external drives max out at the 40Gbps speeds of Thunderbolt 4 and USB4, equating to 5,000MB/s. Meanwhile, ubiquitous PCIe Gen 4 drives can reach a theoretical max of 8,000MB/s and PCIe Gen 5 drives can go up to a blazing-fast cap of 14,000MB/s.

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And PCIe storage isn’t restricted to just NVMe. Other SSDs and storage types are possible, and they can even be put into RAID setups for data backups. It’s a cost-effective alternative to pricier mainstream solutions that rely on Thunderbolt or USB-C connections.

If you're considering purchasing a PCIe storage card but feel unsure about where to begin, consider these two reliable choices: Asus Hyper PCIe 4.0 upgrade card accommodates four Gen 4 NVMe drives and Asus Hyper PCIe 5.0 upgrade card can accommodate up to four Gen 4 or Gen 5 NVMe drives. It’s always important to verify the motherboard compatibility prior to purchasing a PCIe card.

3. PCI Express audio and sound cards

You could believe that sound cards and additional audio components have become obsolete... and you wouldn't automatically be mistaken. Not many individuals truly do use them nowadays. need A PCI Express sound card nowadays.

However, these components continue to be relevant, primarily utilized in specific sectors such as high-end audio production or specialized gaming sound systems. The Apple Mac Pro even highlights this capability with its key selling point being the compatibility with PCIe slots, enabling both audio and visual professionals to maximize their system’s potential.

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A sound card, particularly a PCI Express model, remains valuable for achieving top-notch audio quality that isn't always attainable through a motherboard alone. Such PCI Express sound cards frequently offer additional input options and support for surround sound. They also tend to experience fewer issues with audio interference because they operate as an independent component distinct from the motherboard.

PCIe sound cards usually have a compact design, thus occupying very little space and functioning well even within smaller PCIe slots. This allows your bigger PCIe lanes to be available for other high-bandwidth expansion cards.

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But, again, discreet sound card options stay within a specialized market and become increasingly niche annually. For those who work professionally with audio, you probably are familiar with high-end PCIe audio cards used in various production processes. However, if you're merely an enthusiast, think about incorporating a PCIe sound card into your setup to enhance your overall listening experience.

Premium PCIe audio interfaces, such as the HDX PCIe Core Card By Avid Pro Tools, costs can reach several thousand dollars. After all, they're built for audio professionals who require real-time mixing and powerful processing capabilities. When working on substantial and complex audio projects, a PCIe card offering nearly instantaneous response time becomes highly valuable and justifies the investment.

For those who love high-fidelity sound, there are user-focused choices such as the affordably priced models. Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX PCI Express 5.1 sound card up to the enthusiast-class The Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus high-resolution gaming sound card It serves as a great method to utilize your PC's empty PCIe slots.

4. PCIe capture cards

A capture card is a gadget that receives an input. external The origin of audio/video content along with the handling of this input, which could serve various purposes such as recording, editing, or posting onto platforms like Twitch or YouTube. A prime instance would be utilizing a capture card to simultaneously stream live video from devices like cameras or gaming consoles directly to one’s computer.

PCIe slots are excellent for capture cards since their extremely fast data transfer rates can handle the demands of high-resolution, high-frame-rate videos without getting overwhelmed. A widely favored PCIe capture card available today is the Elgato 4K Pro It’s essential for gamers interested in recording and streaming their gameplay.

Although USB capture cards such as the Elgato HD60 X exist, internal PCIe capture cards don’t take up any desktop space, have much lower latency, and can handle much higher resolutions and frame rates. If you’re a gaming content creator, it’s one of the most useful PCIe additions.

Blackmagic Design

Capture cards are essential tools for professionals as well, with PCIe models being the most preferred choice in this category. For instance, the DeckLink 8K Pro G2 capture card by Blackmagic Design is among the best, able to capture 8K footage at high frame rates in professional formats, complete with 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 video and full Rec. 2020 color.

Pros would be amiss without the powerful features and specs found in such PCIe solutions, and there’s more than this out there. Once again, most home users won’t need to spend this While not identical, many consumer-level options frequently possess the same PCIe genetics.

5. PCI Express networking cards and USB expansion cards

If you're unsure about how to utilize your vacant PCIe slots, think about installing additional USB ports through a PCIe card. This could be useful if your motherboard didn't come with many USB ports initially or if you've run out of connections due to various devices and peripherals you’ve attached, leaving you short on available ports. PCIe USB expansion card One method to obtain additional ports is by adding a Thunderbolt PCIe card , provided your motherboard supports it).

However, why limit ourselves? Perhaps opting for a PCIe network card would be more beneficial. Although many modern motherboards come equipped with built-in Wi-Fi, these expansion cards remain quite handy. They can provide additional Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionalities at a lower cost, letting you avoid using an Ethernet connection when desired. Plus, they won’t break the bank. TP-Link AX3000 PCIe card is frequently available for about $35, and it comes with support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

TP-Link

You'll come across an array of PCIe network cards offering different speeds, yet this could be your chance to step up to Wi-Fi 7. As an illustration, consider the TP-Link BE9300 PCIe card It’s a tri-band adapter that supports both Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, featuring leading-edge technology for top-tier velocities. (To learn more about the the new Wi-Fi 7 protocol and why it should interest you .)

As evident, PCIe slots provide multiple beneficial methods to enhance your computer and introduce new capabilities. Should you possess vacant PCIe slots on your mainboard, think about populating them to maximize your setup’s potential!