mATX with sound card

[skitz]

Hi,

I've been looking at some mATX boards recently, most have a couple of pci-e graphics slots with the small pci-e x4 slot in between. This is silly placement imo as most graphics cards with cover the slot. Anyway, I came across Asus Z77 Maximus V Gene that has better pci-e x4 position (bottom).

Does anyone know if this board would take a single graphics card and a Titanium HD pci-e sound card in the bottom slot? Problem is i'm worried it looks a bit tight to the bottom motherboard connecters. I can't find any information on google with a similar setup. Nobody seems to use the pci-e x4 slot with this board?

advice appreciated. cheers.

[Pob255]

Why do you need pci-e x4? the Titanium HD is only pci-e x1
Also remember that pci-e slots are downgradeable so you can put any lower x card into a x16 slot, so you could use the 2nd x16 slot on any z77 motherboard for something other than a graphics card

[skitz]

you're correct, the Titanium HD is x1 but it can be used in the x4 slot.

I know the x16 slots are 'downgradable'. The idea though was to have it as far away from the graphics as possible (heat,ventilation,etc). Also if you use the second x16 slot would cause them both to run at x8 as they're shared, whereas the x4 isn't. At least that's how I understand it from looking at the manual.