billmi
05-05-2005, 09:40 AM
Installing an original VTNT board in an ASUS NCCH-DL mobo, it would make more sense to me to put the VT in a PCI-X slot than PCI, so I called tech support with some questions. It sounded like Gil that I spoke to, but didn't ask his name.
Anyhow, his response was that while it should work, as long as the mobo supports PCI-33MHz cards in the PCI-X slots, but NewTek's advice is always to use 33MHz PCI slots. That advise makes sence, if you're going to put hard drive arrays on the PCI-X bus, but the NCCH-DL puts one SATA controller on the PCI bus, and the other on its own bus. It would make more sense the me to run the VT then in the PCI-X bus where it's not competing for bus bandwidth, and that made sense to the tech too.
This then raises another question - how does one put the original VTNT card in a PCI-X slot?
It doesn't physically fit. PCI-X slots hasve a short row of connectors followed by a gap - that prevents a PCI card from fitting flush to the back of the case.
The VTNT card could physically fit in the slot if it were an inch more toward the front of the case than normal, but to do this, one would have to remove the metal back plate, or it would not clear the mobo, and it sure seems an odd solution.
Is this there a proper way to instal the VT in a PCI-X slot? The tech said he didn't know, but it should work as long as the mobo supports PCI cards on its PCI-X bus. He said he didn't know if there would be any fit issues, as he's only worked with VTs in PCI slots. Asking here, he said was a good idea.
Anyone out there running their VT in a PCI-X slot? How did you set it up?
Any offcial answer PCI-X slot installations, Paul?
This also of course leaves the other installation option of dropping a SATA controller on the PCI-X bus, and running some drives on that, and some drives on the mobo's independant controller, putting none of the video streams on the PCI bus.
Ah well, much to ponder while I wait for a few more parts to arrive.... One thing is for certain - while doing web searches for "PCI card in a PCI-X slot" and similar phrases, it's most often discussed in web forums by people who don't know the difference between PCI-E and PCI-X, and in general often know not of which they speak.
Thanks
Anyhow, his response was that while it should work, as long as the mobo supports PCI-33MHz cards in the PCI-X slots, but NewTek's advice is always to use 33MHz PCI slots. That advise makes sence, if you're going to put hard drive arrays on the PCI-X bus, but the NCCH-DL puts one SATA controller on the PCI bus, and the other on its own bus. It would make more sense the me to run the VT then in the PCI-X bus where it's not competing for bus bandwidth, and that made sense to the tech too.
This then raises another question - how does one put the original VTNT card in a PCI-X slot?
It doesn't physically fit. PCI-X slots hasve a short row of connectors followed by a gap - that prevents a PCI card from fitting flush to the back of the case.
The VTNT card could physically fit in the slot if it were an inch more toward the front of the case than normal, but to do this, one would have to remove the metal back plate, or it would not clear the mobo, and it sure seems an odd solution.
Is this there a proper way to instal the VT in a PCI-X slot? The tech said he didn't know, but it should work as long as the mobo supports PCI cards on its PCI-X bus. He said he didn't know if there would be any fit issues, as he's only worked with VTs in PCI slots. Asking here, he said was a good idea.
Anyone out there running their VT in a PCI-X slot? How did you set it up?
Any offcial answer PCI-X slot installations, Paul?
This also of course leaves the other installation option of dropping a SATA controller on the PCI-X bus, and running some drives on that, and some drives on the mobo's independant controller, putting none of the video streams on the PCI bus.
Ah well, much to ponder while I wait for a few more parts to arrive.... One thing is for certain - while doing web searches for "PCI card in a PCI-X slot" and similar phrases, it's most often discussed in web forums by people who don't know the difference between PCI-E and PCI-X, and in general often know not of which they speak.
Thanks