MPCI-E to Legacy PCI

[awkduck]

I have plenty of Laptops and Thin-clients. Majority of the more powerful older systems (circa 2005-2012) have internal MPCI-E.

So, it seems I can buy MPCI-E (male) to 2x legacy PCI (female); but it has no case and is powered by sata power (meant to be use in a desktop).

Most external sata powers supplies are DC adapter/USB to Sata power cable. They typically provide 2A, which isn't enough (a fair PCI GPU will use 7A, for sure).

I have a MICRO PC case, and could run it (MPCI-E to PCI) off the power in there, potentially mounting the 2 PCI slots inside it.

Before playing with any of that, I thought I should ask if anyone has seen something that comes with it's own case/power?

The bare adapter runs about $40 US. I wouldn't want to pay a whole lot more, than that.

I've seen PCMCIA (male) to 2x and 4x PCI (female); but they are rare and costly. However, they came with nice cases and power supplies.

My MICRO PC case has a fanless PSU, so it may be the best choice for me (noise is important here). But, if there ever was a place to ask advice, this is the place.

Notice:This may not be a solution, for adding PCI cards to "late era" Win9x machines. For that, the PCMCIA route is likely more certain.

Edited September 27 by awkduck

[Nokiamies]

Well depending your electrical skills and willing to take risks there is possible workaround. I looked around pictures of adapters you are talking about and found this https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/674e1280-d726-40e2-983c-e2fc3c8d7b2e.4111bb435392e18d6a8bf929c2f760a2.jpeg

Now when comparing to pinout of sata power connector https://pinoutguide.com/Power/sata-power_pinout.shtml it seems that adapter lacks orange wire which is used usually for 3.3v. So that is only 12v and 5v connector. So in theory atleast all you have to do is desolder connectors off the PCB and attach wire directly or via plug if prefer to it have it removable. You either need desk power supply with both 12 and 5v rails or two desk power supplies with 12v and 5v. You can find those for reasonably price in stores, I cant say for US as I live in arctic circle but some DIY stores atleast and they are usually sold as universal replacement for dc adapters of appliances.

I would verify voltages using multimeter and if you do not feel comfortable with soldering iron let someone else do it for you. If you cant find exact part you need you usually need do one yourself from almost fit part

[awkduck]

21 hours ago, Nokiamies said:

I cant say for US as I live in arctic circle

I've been tempted to move to Alaska, from time to time. I've always been worried about the circadian rhythm. Messed mine up once, long ago, while working the overnight shifts. But, if moving to Alaska, maybe moving out of the US is an option too. Sorry, off topic.

21 hours ago, Nokiamies said:

I would verify voltages using multimeter and if you do not feel comfortable with soldering iron let someone else do it for you. If you cant find exact part you need you usually need do one yourself from almost fit part

Soldering it fine. I use many old things, and must repair/modify them. I am also a little cheap; so buying it when broken, and fixing it for my use, is handy.

Often, I don't take the time to make things look as nice as they could/should (except for guitars). I wondered if there was an already existing solution.

[awkduck]

I did find that Startech sells a mpci-e to pci-e riser, with a nice case and power supply. They were over $150, and I'd still need to convert slots to legacy PCI. Not saying under $200 is bad, but I am cheap.

Edited Tuesday at 12:34 AM by awkduck

[Nokiamies]

8 hours ago, awkduck said:

They were over $150, and I'd still need to convert slots to legacy PCI. Not saying under $200 is bad, but I am cheap.

I agree, sometimes it is not worth burn lot of money. That solution is suggested might be best for time being. You can make it more modular if solder connector to wires so can swap out power supply you use easily. Maybe make header with regular molex then make one adapter fitting generic barrel jack so can use it either way.