Explaining PCIe Slots

PCIe slots are used to connect graphics cards, sound cards, other interface cards and some SSDs to PC motherboards. This video explains everything you need to know about PCIe slots, including PCIe slot sizes, lanes, versions and compatibility. Also included is a quick history of motherboard expansion slots from ISA to PCIe.

You may be interested in some of my other shows on PC hardware, including:

#PCIe #PCIeSlots #ExplainingComputers

[Candice]

I was beginning to think I would never understand PCI and PCIe slots. Turns out I just needed it explained how you did. You are an amazing teacher. Thank you!!! 😊

[briandillon]

AT last. Someone who knows what he's talking about and can explain it clearly and simply without wearing a baseball cap the wrong way around. Well done.

[peroperic]

Very professional work, man! It is not easy to find a video on YouTube where the author both knows his stuff and is able to teach the stuff so that the laymen can understand.

[alittleolder]

Being in the field for 25 years now I find these videos so refreshing and interesting. Sometimes simplify things i a way I couldn't when talking to a client. I do enjoy your channel a great deal.

[smada]

It always amazes me. We talk about old standards and obsolescence, and then the date they were first introduced as being something like 1996. Twenty years is no time at all for a standard to come and then be superceded a few times over. It really puts it into perspective of just how young and fast pace computer technology really is.

[theadmin]

Ah... been in IT for over 20 years and a Network Engineer as well and I totally enjoyed this video in 2021.

[garydunken]

PCIe very well explained. I felt nostalgic when I saw those late 80's and 90's ISA and AGP type slots. Thanks for the video.

[markharrisllb]

I can't begin to imagine the level of preparation that goes into your videos. Graphics, examples, research and scripts. It’s all excellent, thank you.

This is a comment from the future of this video where PCIe 6 is on the horizon.

[HeavenlyWarrior]

I do not understand how this channel doesn't have at least 1M subscribers with such rich content, explained so well.
Probably most people are interested in futile stuff that doesn't really matter...

[philipcooper]

One bit to add, PCIe lanes are the most expensive part of your motherboard, these are physical connections between the PCIe slot and the CPU and/or chipset. That is why there are several chipset versions on the market and the ''main'' PCIe x16 slot is where it is (close to the CPU). Also, PCIe lanes (CPU to slot) are divided into chunks of 4. If you have a lower tier chipset, a B150 for instance with 8 PCIe lanes (connections between the CPU and the PCIe slots) and you fit a graphics card into the first PCIe x16 slot, all the 8 lanes are being used by that card. However, if you then fit another device into your other PCIe x16 (x4) slot, it will divide the lanes between those two devices into 4 and 4, effectively reducing the speed of the first PCie x16 slot by half. This is very important for when you decided to put a NVME PCIe card into your second PCIe x16 slot of your PC (or any other such device). The other PCIe x1 and PCI slots, and other devices such as USB and SATA controllers, Ethernet controller and so on, are being fed from the chipset and do not ''rob'' you of the very fast PCIe lanes.

[GeezerDust]

Clearest demo I've seen in a long time. Those 80's - 90's computer builds would give you a headache. We didn't have many people like yourself to explain things.

[maximumessential]

1:23 AM and I'm learning about PCIe 16x, not bad...

[MiniatureMasterClass]

But The Verge told me to put my graphics card in the PCIe slot that looks the best.

[fazleemonty]

A glance this channel looks like early 80s BBC documentary, but explaining about 2020s computer technologies. I love the retro look.

[joonasfi]

One of the moments that reminded me that I'm truly a nerd was when you said "I need to tell you about how PCIe handles data" ( 3:20 ), and I got genuinely excited to learn this knowledge :D

[DrNPCabd]

I would recommend your videos for school computing classes, very clear and elaborated. Thanks Sir, I enjoyed every second (the car lanes example was cute!!!).

[woodant]

In my opinion PCI-e is definitely my favourite thing that’s happened to the silicon based computer. For such a long time I’ve enjoyed super expandable and adaptable GPU connectivity, storage, networking and all kinds of other stuff.

Thanks for (as always) this clear, slow, video for an ultimate understanding!

[bobfriendship]

Perfectly & clearly demonstrated After 40 years with PC's I'm learning, here, all the time. Thank you.

[JohnnyG]

I love this guys accent- and the way he explains the concepts are very simple, logical, and easy to understand. We need more people like him to teach computers to folks not as skilled in the area. This guy speaks two languages- that of engineering and that of communication- and he is able to blend both together for both crowds to understand.


Universities are always looking to recruit people like him because there are to many engineers but without the communication skills needed to teach this. I'm guilty of this myself- I speak only engineering.



I wish I had this guys ability to explain things so well. Good job!!

[mxie]

I haven't built a PC for years. Even though this video has been 5 years old, it really helps me to catch up with the brief PC slot history at the beginning.

Thank you very much for putting this video together!!