How Many Slots Does the 3090 Take?

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 is a powerful graphics card designed for high-end gaming and professional applications. With its impressive specifications, it has quickly become one of the most sought-after graphics cards available in the market. However, one of the most common questions asked by users is how many slots does the 3090 take?

To answer this question, we need to take a closer look at the physical dimensions of the card. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 measures 313mm x 138mm x 42mm, making it a triple-slot graphics card. This means that it occupies three expansion slots on your motherboard.

It’s important to note that even though the RTX 3090 is a triple-slot card, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it requires three separate PCIe slots on your motherboard. Instead, it means that it occupies three PCIe lanes on your motherboard.

So, if you have a standard ATX motherboard with three PCIe x16 slots available, you can install the RTX 3090 in any one of those slots and still have two remaining for other expansion cards such as sound cards or network adapters.

However, if you have a smaller micro-ATX or mini-ITX motherboard with only one or two PCIe x16 slots available, you may need to consider upgrading your motherboard to accommodate the RTX 3090.

It’s also worth noting that due to its size and weight (the RTX 3090 weighs approximately 2.1 kg), some users may need to use additional support brackets or standoffs to ensure that their graphics card doesn’t sag and potentially damage their motherboard over time.

In conclusion, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 is a triple-slot graphics card that requires three PCIe lanes on your motherboard. While this may make it challenging for some users with smaller motherboards to install, upgrading your motherboard or using additional support brackets can help ensure a safe and secure installation.