I'm looking for clarity on a specific feature of my Asus TUF B650 motherboard. The manual states that "M.2_3 shares bandwidth with PCIEX16_2," and that the PCIEX16_2 slot will be rendered unusable if M.2_3 is occupied. All my M.2 slots are filled, and I can't remove any drives. I currently have my primary GPU installed in PCIEX16_1, which is not affected by this issue. I'm considering adding an older GPU to PCIEX16_2 to connect to an old CRT TV for emulation purposes, since modern GPUs can't output analog signals. Can someone confirm if PCIEX16_2 will be completely unusable with M.2_3 populated or if it might just run at a reduced speed? I want to figure this out before purchasing the GPU, especially since I can't test it right now.
3 Answers
Yes, you’re correct that with M.2_3 filled, PCIEX16_2 will be completely disabled. So you won't be able to use that slot at all while the M.2 is in use.
It’s pretty standard for some motherboards to disable certain slots when others are filled. In your case, it sounds like the PCIEX16_2 slot won’t be usable at all with that M.2 populated, so you should definitely plan on removing a drive or finding another solution.
It won't work as the slot will indeed be disabled. Instead of getting an older GPU just for this, consider upgrading to a larger storage drive or using SATA connections. There are also converters that can help output HDMI/DP to the formats you need for your CRT TV.
True! Many modern GPUs can't handle the 15khz signal necessary for CRT TVs. If you're limited to a CRT TV, you'll definitely want an older GPU that can output analog signals.