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Every time we see more PCI-Express reinforced, so this question arises: Why do manufacturers improve them? We will tell you.

For a few years, motherboard manufacturers have been reinforcing the PCI-Express slots with metal reinforcements, providing greater robustness. Previously, the slots were simple pieces of hard plastic that were prepared to support the weight of graphics cards. However, the weight of the latter has increased due to the evolution of the dimensions.

We explain why manufacturers improve reinforced PCI Express.

Index of contents

More security

The user community has commented on this aspect with comments such as "they serve to justify paying more money for the board" or "I have never seen a PCIe slot split." We understand that personal experience marks the usefulness of the products for some.

That said, reality may be different in certain cases. The motherboard manufacturers solve a problem that is more common than it seems: damage to the PCI-Express slot. The graphics card may be the largest and heaviest component we install on the entire motherboard.

Logic forces us to think that, for this reason, the PCIe slot is forced when we install certain graphics cards. But, there is a bigger conflict: when the installed graphics is not alienated, but folded. This usually causes sudden disconnections or undesirable hangs.

We encounter this problem in Mini-ITX configurations where certain users install standard size graphics cards. In principle, this is not a problem, nor does anything have to happen; On the other hand, there are cases where this conflict appears.

Better transportation

There are people who have two houses, but do not have two computers. This causes having to transport the tower wherever we go, a fact that can seriously harm the components of our PC. Therefore, with the reinforced PCI-Express we will not worry about our graphics card because it will be well attached to the motherboard.

Surely someone has thought Why do I want this if I don't transport my tower? Well, manufacturers are responsible for providing solutions to problems reported by users. Some of you may not find functionality in a reinforced PCI-Express, but it is undeniable that it fulfills a specific function for other types of cases.

Better aesthetics

Leaving the functional section, it is true that the reinforced PCI-Express give a more beautiful appearance in our setup. Even so, I have to say that we have to take this statement with tweezers because when we install a graphics card in our PCIe we do not see the slot itself.

It is also true that it gives a remarkable premium look compared to more conventional slots.

conclusion

The reinforced PCI-Express are found in the mid-range motherboards upwards. In the case of Mini-ITX, we have to go to plates that start from € 100. Regarding the ATX, we can find a model that equips them for less than € 100, but it is not common.

In my opinion, a PCIe of this type tries or persecutes that the user does not create homemade supports to hold the graphics card and prevent it from causing damage to the slot.

Personally, when I started in this world I disabled a PCI-Express from a Mini-ITX motherboard because the graphics card I installed was too heavy for this motherboard. Over time, the slot ended up sagging a bit and slightly bent, causing disconnections, system freezes, or blue screenshots.

We recommend reading our guide on the best motherboards

In conclusion, they provide good aesthetics, transport safety, greater robustness and try to solve a problem that is minimal, but still exists. Do you have a board with reinforced PCI-Express? What is your opinion?