The PCIe USB riser adapter, commonly used to connect a graphics card (GPU) to a motherboard when the GPU cannot be plugged directly into the PCIe slot. These are often used in cryptocurrency mining rigs, GPU test benches, and custom PC setups.
What each part does
Large board with the yellow slot
This is the PCIe x16 riser board.
The graphics card plugs into the yellow PCIe slot.
It also receives power through the 4-pin connector.
Small board
This is the PCIe x1 adapter.
It plugs into a PCIe x1 slot on the motherboard.
Blue USB 3.0 cable
Connects the small PCIe x1 adapter to the larger riser board.
Although it uses a USB 3.0 cable, it is not carrying USB data. It is simply using the cable as a convenient connection for PCIe signals.
SATA-to-power cable
Supplies power to the riser board.
Connects from a SATA power connector on the PC's power supply to the riser.
How it works
Plug the small PCIe x1 adapter into a motherboard PCIe slot.
Connect the blue USB cable between the small adapter and the large riser board.
Connect power from the PSU to the riser board.
Insert the GPU into the yellow PCIe x16 slot.
Turn on the PC.
The motherboard communicates with the GPU through the PCIe x1 adapter and USB cable, while the riser provides the power and physical mounting location for the GPU.
Important note
The included SATA power adapter is generally not recommended for high-power GPUs because SATA connectors can overheat under heavy load. If possible, use the 4-pin PCIe power connector directly from the power supply to power the riser.
