Modding Q: fit wider PCIe in smaller slot

[CMetaphor]

Another day, another question that Google can't seem to answer easily.

So, quick question:
What's the best/safest method to get a PCIe 16x card into an 8x or smaller slot?

Opinions seem wildly varied, some suggest melting with a fine soldering iron, others saying "snap it off" and others say sawing with a file or fine saw works best. I'm leaning towards the last opinion, what do you guys think?

 

[GeezerGamer]

Not having done this before but with a sense about it I'd say a fine saw. Support as best you can either side of your cut!
Good luck

 

[JD]

Might be better off getting a riser cable and hacking at that instead rather than modifying the card or motherboard slot.

 

[Bond007]

Brand new MOB? If so, I would either get a riser, return MOB and get one that has the slots you need, or get a different variant of whatever the pcie card is that can fit the smaller slot.

If you don’t mind warranty killing or other potential risks, then I would also go with the small saw option.

 

[CMetaphor]

Actually it IS a riser, I have two of them for the same server board, but the flexible ribbon cables that are going to connect that riser to the PCIe cards are both 16x.

 

[MARSTG]

Safest method would be a 8x to 16x riser. You can take a Dremel to it like 3.0charlie did on my 2P Opteron board but it might damage contacts on the inside of the slot.

 

[CMetaphor]

Safest method would be a 8x to 16x riser. You can take a Dremel to it like 3.0charlie did on my 2P Opteron board but it might damage contacts on the inside of the slot.

That's plan B, but I'm going to be using vertical mounting brackets as much as possible. So, the 90° connector that attaches to the vertical bracket might have different bolt hole spacing. We'll see.

 

[Izerous]

https://www.amazon.com/Estone-Express-Riser-Adapter-Servers/dp/B00HFHKVB4

Seems like an adapter like this instead of yet another riser would be sufficient. Simply plug the existing riser into this and plug that into the motherboard.