PCIe non-graphic card on PCIe 16x slot
Hi guys, I'm building my HTPC also and it's on top of a Zotac IONITX-L-E motherboard. This board has a free PCI Express 16X slot (PCIE x16 Generation 2.0 compatible) and my idea is to use it to hold a DVB-S / DVB-S2 tuner once I got a Silverstone case (LC09B-ITV) that has a rear space for a TV tuner.
This is from my Zotac IONITX-L-E manual:
PCIE x16 Interface
- PCIE x16 Generation 2.0 compatible
- 5 GHz support, for a total bandwidth of 5 Gbps per direction per lane
- Wake up function is supported
- Clock spread spectrum capability.
And here they say, it's reserved for a graphics or video cards...
PCI Express x16 Slot-PCIE1
There is one PCI Express x16 slot reserved for graphics or video cards. The bandwidth
of the x16 slot is up to 5GB/Sec complianting with PCIE 2.0 specification.
When installing a PCI Express x16 card, be sure the retention clip snaps and locks
the card into place. If the card is not seated properly, it could cause a short across the
pins. Secure the card's metal bracket to the chassis back panel with the screw used
to hold the blank cover.
However, I've been reading on the net that this is a hot/dicussed topic once some people says that are using a PCIe 1X tuner on Zotact PCIe 16X slot with some BIOS adjustments and some others are experiencing issues. (I have the thread links, from Zotac oficial forum but I don't know if I can link them here...)
So my first question here is:
Who is using a non-graphic board PCIe 1X into Zotac's mobo PCIe 16x slot? Besides that, are you guys experiencing any issues? What did you guys had to do to get it working?
The second would be:
What is the best DVB-S / DVB-S2 tuner for a Linux based HTPC? My setup will be Mythbuntu 10.04 + XBMC, and I was interesting about the DVBWorld 2006 PCIe board. I've seen it's supported on Linux but I would like to hear from owners of this board running it on Linux how it is and if it is a good purchase for my setup.
I've make a huge mistake buying a PCI card (not express) for my HTPC setup... :-( I bought a Hauppauge WinTV-Nova-S-Plus card and it doesn't fit my PCI Express 16X slot... I just figured it out when I got the parts on my hands... Now I need to sell this one.
I'm waiting forward your VALUABLE feedback on this, so that I can go ahead and purchase my tuner with no mistakes this time.
Thx!