What does Mode 1 mean with PCI Express?

Question

I have a GA-M61VME-S2 motherboard and it mentions that for the PCI Express x 16 slot it supports up to PCI Express x 1 Mode. What does this mean ?

Answer 1

this is what it SHOULD support
the meaning is that you can also use the PCIe x16 slot for any other PCIe peripheral card, though this would be a waste of resources (normally the PCIe x16 slot will be used for a graphics card, but it will also work for any PCIe x4 or PCIe x1 card).

this is what it DOES support
it's a fact that the PCIe x16 slot operates at x1 speed (what is pretty slow), which the description doesn't state but the manufacturer information does. this means that you can only use specified graphics cards.