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A Riser PCIe is an extension cable or circuit board that connects to a PCI Express slot on a motherboard. It is used to increase the vertical or horizontal height of a component. There are different types of PCIe risers, and they include
PCIe riser cards feature a set of attributes that cater to specific functions and enhance the flexibility and performance of PCIe devices. Below are some of the common features:
Extended Connectivity and Flexibility
PCIe riser cards provide a solution for devices that need additional slots, such as graphics cards, network cards, storage controllers, and other PCIe-based add-in cards. They also allow upgrades or expansions of the existing system capabilities.
These risers provide an alternative means of connectivity to different PCIe express lanes and ports. They also facilitate the relocation of PCIe devices within a system or case.
Enhanced Performance
Riser card PCIEs allow users to take advantage of PCIe's high bandwidth and low latency, thus optimizing data transfer for applications such as high-speed networking, storage, and computing. They are also capable of supporting multiple generations, like PCIe 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, 1.0, which offer enhanced data transfer rates and reduced latency.
Improved Cooling
PCIe riser cards come with coolers that improve the overall system stability and performance of PCIe devices installed on them. The coolers can be active, having fans to improve airflow, or passive, relying on heat sinks with no moving parts.
An effective cooling solution mitigates the risks of thermal-induced failure, such as decreased performance and reduced lifespan, thus significantly improving the reliability of the system.
Optimized Space Management
Space optimization is achieved since PCIe riser cards relocate PCIe devices within a PC or server. This enables better cable routing and improves airflow, which coexist within space-restricted environments, such as workstations, compact builds, or server cases.
Form Factor Compatibility
These risers come in diverse form factors, such as mini PCIe to PCIe x16, PCIe x1 to PCIe x4, PCIe x1 to PCIe x8, PCIe x1 to PCIe x3, that fit within a certain slot. This compatibility enables users to select a riser that suits their system specifications and requirements.
Build Quality
High-quality materials and components enhance the reliability and durability of PCIe riser cards. For example, premium capacitors, gold-plated connectors, and sturdy PCBs reduce the risks of signal degradation, electrical failure, and poor performance.
Device Support and Customization
Different PCIe riser cards support various PCIe devices. Manufacturers often customize their designs with unique features and functionalities to support devices like GPUs, SSDs, network interface cards, and other peripherals to enhance compatibility and performance.
Ease of Installation
Riser cards provide plug-and-play installation, which simplifies the process of setting up or replacing PCIe devices. This user-friendly process is vital for users who need to quickly deploy or upgrade their systems without engaging in complex PC assembly tasks.
The primary usage scenario of PCIe riser cards is to vertically mount GPUs in cases where space is limited, or cable management is essential. However, they are also used in the following scenarios.
Mining Cryptocurrency
Riser cards are necessary for mining Cryptocurrency. This is because most mining motherboards can support multiple PCIe connections, and the cards allow GPUS to be mounted in a horizontal position. A typical mining setup can have about six GPU cards, but advanced miners can have up to thirty GPUs in one configuration.
Building Test Benches
Hardware enthusiasts often use riser cards to create open-air test benches for testing new hardware components. Using a riser card makes it easy to access and test various ports on the card.
GPU Card Upgrades
A polynomial rise time option allows users to add more GPU cards to their computer systems. More GPU cards mean increased graphical processing power, which is helpful for users whose computing needs have increased since they first built their PC.
Virtual Reality
VR games require a lot of GPU power. Having more GPU cards mounted in a single system can provide the needed graphical power to operate VR games smoothly. Using riser cards to vertically position the cards is an affordable way to achieve this objective.
Multimonitor Systems
Riser cards make it possible to run several monitors simultaneously by enabling the installation of multiple display adapters. Users working in such industries as digital editing, software development, or data analytics frequently need multiple monitor setups.
Redundant GPU Systems
Companies that run server systems with highly critical applications use redundant systems for reliability and fault tolerance. Riser cards enable easy installation of several GPU cards in a single server for redundancy. They provide a means of maintaining uptime in critical application environments by having several GPUs that can take over if the primary GPU fails.
When using the PCIe riser to mine, it is essential to know that the PCIe 1x riser is the most commonly used among crypto miners. The major reason is that it is more cost-effective than the others. Also, the 1x riser can work with 16x and 8x GPUs. Nevertheless, some users prefer using the 1x riser while others prefer the 16x PCIe riser. Those who prefer using the 16x riser say it is more stable and efficient. It also processes data faster than the 1x riser. The only downside is that it has a higher cost.
To make the right choice for customers' target market, consider these:
Compatibility
Make sure that the computer system and any other device intended to be used with the riser PCIe are compatible with the specific version of the riser, whether PCIe 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, or 5.0. To be certain, check the motherboard specifications or documentation.
Version
The version of PCI Express, or PCIE, applies to the bandwidth and speed of the riser. The higher the PCIE version, the higher the bandwidth, but it is unnecessary to have the latest version, which can be costly. The PCIE 3.0 is the most common version, and users say it works just as well as the 4.0 and 5.0 versions.
Length
Consider the distance between the device and the PCI Express slot. Risers come in various lengths, from 6 inches to 18 inches. Choose one that provides sufficient length without being too long. The longer the riser cable, the higher the chances of transmission loss.
Quality and Reliability
Select a reliable vendor when purchasing risers. Low-quality risers can result in GPU slouching. Some can burn out if they aren’t mounted properly. Before making a bulk purchase, buy one unit and test it to see if it works well with other components in the system.
Power Supply
Most PCIe risers have a 4-pin or 6-pin power connector. They draw power for the GPU from the Motherboard's PCIe slot. The GPU requires additional power to function. Choose risers with a power connector to prevent power shortage.
Q1: Can I use multiple PCIe riser cables?
A1: Yes, but make sure the motherboard and power supply unit (PSU) can support the additional cards. Also, ensure the case has enough space for the cables and GPUs.
Q2: Will a PCIe riser affect the GPU's performance?
A2: No, as long as using quality risers. Some cheap risers may cause instability or increase the latency, but good ones are optimized for minimal latency.
Q3: How long can a PCIe riser cable be?
A3: Ideally, the length should not exceed 12 inches (30 cm) for optimal signal integrity. Higher-quality cables can extend up to 16 inches (40 cm) without significant issues.
Q4: Do PCIe risers need additional power?
A4: Most versions draw power directly from the PCIe slot, but some require external power. Users should check the specifications to know which one is required.
