What IS the point of PCI-E x1 Slots?

Question

I'm not asking what 'will' be the point of having a pci-e x1 slot.. im asking what 'IS' the point of having a pci-e x1 slot.

Answer 1

This 36 pin long slot is used for a variety of things that do not require 16 lanes, only 1.

1.Some LAN network cards use them. (Ethernet Adapter) Faster than a PCI header. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...

2.Some TV-Tuner cards use them.  http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...  (Same reason as above)

3.Some Sound Cards use them.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_card

A.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI-Express

B.http://www.orbitmicro.com/support/resour...

C.http://computer.howstuffworks.com/pci-ex...

Answer 2

Some graphics cards have the extra edge for the PCI E x1 Slot

Answer 3

It's there for a transition.  Motherboards are becoming increasingly simplified and that means that bulky legacy interfaces have got to go.  Adding an extra PCIe connector and lane to a motherboard is probably cheaper at this point too.