This is pretty typical. The slot closest to the CPU is the x16, which would be where you want to slot in your graphics card. Other PCIe devices generally use far less bandwidth and often would see no benefit from a full 16 lanes.
this post was submitted on 06 Feb 2024
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I agree with what you say, but I'm kind of salty that they're speccing out the length of the slot instead of the bandwidth. I have a couple of x8 cards I was going to use. My old board (that I'm replacing) had slots sized to the actual length of the card (x16 are longest, x8 about half that, etc.)
I've already got the board installed, with the CPU and cooler in place. Now I either pull it and return it, or live with it.
You're both right. It's common, and it's bullshit.
The alternative is open ended slots, which no one likes. You should be able to use your x8 cards, they'll just be limited to whatever spec the slot can handle.
This isn't new, BTW. It used to be very common to see a full x16, and an x16 (electrically x8). They way you could still connect a second video card, even if you couldn't use it to its full potential
What you got is normal for a consumer board. To get thst many full 16x pcie slots like you expected would require a stupid expensive motherboard and a stupid expensive CPU. But I agree that the communication is misleading. Usually good specs list each slot by physical size and electrical connectors.
Have I been swindled?
Yes.
Am I just stupid or ignorant?
Yes.