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Guide

Which slot do I have?

Our cards plug into one of three places. Find which one your computer has free, and you know which card fits.

1

PCIe slot (desktop PC)

Open the side panel of your PC case. PCIe slots are the long, narrow slots on the motherboard, below the processor. Your graphics card sits in one of them; look for another one that is empty.

  • Short and long PCIe slots both work for our PCIe cards.
  • Each slot lines up with a removable metal cover on the back of the case. That is where the card’s bracket goes.

Fits: our PCIe DMA cards (100T, 75T, 4th Gen)

Is your free slot under the graphics card?

A big graphics card often covers the slot right under it. If the only free PCIe slot is blocked, the PCIe extender cable lets you place the DMA card somewhere else in the case.

See the PCIe Extender Cable

2

M.2 slot

A small, flat slot on the motherboard with a screw at the end, the same kind fast SSDs use. It is often hidden under a metal cover (heatsink) with an “M.2” label.

  • It has to be a free M.2 NVMe slot, not one already holding your SSD.
  • Handy when all PCIe slots are taken or covered.

Fits: CaptainDMA M.2 Card

3

Thunderbolt port (laptop)

Laptops have no free slots inside, but many have a Thunderbolt port: a USB-C port with a small lightning-bolt icon next to it.

  • A plain USB-C port without the lightning bolt usually isn’t Thunderbolt.
  • Not sure? Search your laptop model plus “Thunderbolt”.

Fits: Thunderbolt M.2 NVMe (100T)

Can I check without opening my PC?

On Windows, the free tools CPU-Z (Mainboard tab) or HWiNFO show your motherboard model. Search that model name and look at its photos or manual: it lists every PCIe and M.2 slot.

Or send us your motherboard or laptop model on Discord and we’ll tell you what fits.

Still not sure? Send us a photo of the inside of your PC and we’ll point out the slot.