1x Slot
Take a look at this picture of a PCI-Express x1 slot (at the end of a flexibleextender) that was cut out to allow down-plugging a PCIe x16 card into it.
1x Slots
Unfortunately, if all you have are PCIe x1 slots then you may be out of luck. I didn’t do a huge amount of research but from what I’ve seen I’m pretty sure you need at least PCIe x4 to do any kind of storage add on card for m.2, especially for NVMe which needs higher speeds.
- It’s merely a connector to connect older hardware to newer hardware. One small thing others may have either not realised, or thought mistaken, is that the question asks about Pci, and not Pcie.
- Also, a shorter x1 or x4 card can physically fit into a longer x8 or x16 slot: the initial pin configuration of the electrical contacts makes it compatible. The card may be a bit loose physically, but when screwed into place in the expansion slots of a PC case, it’s more than adequately sturdy.
- If the x1 slot is designed with an open end, it is possible to plug a x16 card into it with 15 lanes hanging exposed in midair and unconnected, and it will work. It won't work well but it will work. So, what I need is a NVMe x4 passive adapter card, which will plug the M.2 into a normal PCIe x1 slot, and leaves the remaining 3 lanes unconnected.
I noticed that when people use a Dremel to cut the plastic, they tend tointuitively place the cutting disk along the longitudital axis, often damagingthe pins in the slot because of the thickness of the cutting disk.
Pci-e 1x Slot
Instead it is easier to place the cutting disk along the lateral axis. Thisremoves more plastic material, but does not necessitate a really precise cutwith a thin disk and steady hand :-)