Can you use a PCIe 16x card in a PCIe 1x slot?

Question

Can this be done at all? Can this be done with a riser?

I want to use two PCIe 16x cards in the two other slots i have on my motherboard that are PCIe 1x.

Can it be done?

Thanks,

Answer 1

Yes it can be done, provided that motherboard manufacturers provide a space between the slots big enough for your x16 expansion card to fit in and the PCIe x1 has an open end. Note that not all manufacturers provide this option. However, the card will operate slower than it is supposed to. You will provide it 1 lane instead of 16 lanes.

Further reading: Hardware Secrets: Everything You Need to Know About the PCI-Express.