PCIe x8 NIC in PCIe x16 slot

Question

I have a motherboard with only one x16 PCIe slot and no x8 slots. I am buying a NIC with very specific configuration, but it is available for x8 slots only. Can I plug a x8 card in a x16 slot? I have googled this question and this seems quite possible. However, I need answer from an expert. Also, are there any performance implications?

Answer 1

What should be: The PCIe spec states that all slots start at 1x and neotiate how many lanes they can use. It shouldn't matter who has more, some slots are designed to take larger cards and smaller cards fit in larger slots. Whatever the highest speed both sides can communicate at (both the number of lanes and the clock/version), that is the speed that will be negotiated and used.

What really is: Usually what should happen is what actually happens. But there are quite a few boards (especially enthusiast boards) that do not follow spec. Some motherboards will not use anything but a 16x video card in their first PCIe slot. Others will not auto-negotiate correctly. In server grade hardware these problems are very rare, but it happens. Try searching your particular model and see if anyone has reported a problem. Also, if both the system/motherboard are from the same manufacturer as the card, you should be able to contact their support and find out if it's a supported configuration (if they don't know or can't answer it's a huge redflag and you should consider no buying from them/returning).

Answer 2

Yes, you can plug in in and it will work fine.

Long version:
Three things are important for PCIe connection:

1. PCIe version (v1, v2 or v3. Lowest common version is used)
2. Number of lanes on the card you plug into a connector (e.g. x1, x4, x8 or x16)
3. Number of lanes supplied to the connector (e.g. x1, x4, x8 or x16)

Any combination of card and slot/connector_on_MB is possible.

Even longer version:

A x1 card will work fine in a x1 slot.
A x1 card will also work fine in a x4 slot. But it will be limited to x1 speeds.
A x1 card will also work fine in a x8 slot. But it will be limited to x1 speeds.
A x1 card will also work fine in a x16 slot. But it will be limited to x1 speeds.

A x4 card will work in an x1 slot, but will be limited to x1 speeds. A x4 card will also work fine in a x4 slot. A x4 card will also work fine in a x8 slot. But it will be limited to x4 speeds.
A x4 card will also work fine in a x16 slot. But it will be limited to x4 speeds.

A x8 card will work in an x1 slot, but will be limited to x1 speeds.
A x8 card will also work fine in a x4 slot. It will be limited to x4 speeds.
A x8 card will also work fine in a x8 slot.
A x8 card will also work fine in a x16 slot. But it will be limited to x8 speeds.

A x16 card will work in an x1 slot, but will be limited to x1 speeds.
A x16 card will work in an x4 slot, but will be limited to x4 speeds.
A x16 card will work in an x8 slot, but will be limited to x8 speeds.
A x16 card will work in an x16 slot.

There are several kinds of PCIe connectors/slots on motherboards.
Slots allowing up to x16 lanes are most common. However the same physical connector can be used for x1, x4, x8 and x16. In many server class motherboards you will find slots which physically allow x16 cards, but with only 8 lanes connected.

The reverse is also possible. If you take a x1 connector and use a saw to open the end of the slot then you can physically connect a larger card and it should work. I know at least one company which does this to put PCIe x16 cards in PCIe x1 slots. (They use the PCIe x16 slots for other cards).