PCIe 4.0 x4 Male to x1 Female Down R/A Extension Cable

The PCIe 4.0 x4 Male to x1 Female Down R/A Extension Cable is a high-performance passive adapter solution engineered for next-generation computing systems, test platforms, and space-constrained environments requiring flexible PCIe topology and low-profile cable routing. This cable adapts a larger PCIe 4.0 x4 slot interface to a smaller PCIe x1 slot interface, featuring a Down Right-Angle (Down R/A) female connector that minimizes vertical profile and facilitates efficient cable management in slim chassis or densely packed enclosures. Supporting PCIe 4.0 specifications with a data transfer rate of 16.0 GT/s per lane, it provides a bandwidth of approximately 2 GB/s for the x1 interface while maintaining backward compatibility with PCIe 3.0/2.0/1.0 devices. Engineered with precision 85-ohm impedance-matched wiring  and multi-layer EMI shielding, this cable ensures signal integrity at high speeds. The Down R/A design is particularly advantageous in low-profile applications where downward-facing cable orientation is essential to avoid component interference.

Features

• PCIe 4.0 Compliance: Supports PCIe 4.0 specifications with a data transfer rate of 16.0 GT/s per lane, providing a bandwidth of approximately 2 GB/s for the x1 interface while maintaining backward compatibility with PCIe 3.0/2.0/1.0 devices.
• Down Right-Angle Connector Optimization: The Down R/A female connector directs the cable downward relative to the motherboard plane, offering optimal clearance in low-profile systems and preventing interference with adjacent components such as large GPUs or cooling solutions.
• Form Factor Adaptation: Enables physical and electrical compatibility between PCIe x4 and x1 interfaces, allowing x1 devices to be installed in x4 slots with optimized space utilization.
• Enhanced Signal Integrity: Utilizes low-loss twin axial cable technology (e.g., 31 AWG as referenced in 3M's designs for PCIe 4.0 applications ) with multi-layer shielding (foil and braid) to minimize insertion loss, crosstalk, and electromagnetic interference (EMI), ensuring stable performance even at 16.0 GT/s data rates.
• Passive Design: Requires no external power or active components, relying on high-precision copper conductors and controlled impedance materials (85-ohm differential) for reliable signal transmission.
• Durable Construction: Incorporates gold-plated contacts (e.g., min. 0.76µm thickness) and reinforced connector housings to withstand repeated mating cycles in development and test environments.

Specifications

• Product Model: PCIe 4.0 x4 Male to x1 Female Down R/A Extension Cable
• Connector A: PCIe 4.0 x4, Male, Edge Connector
• Connector B: PCIe 4.0 x1, Female, Down Right-Angle (Down R/A)
• Connector Gender: Male to Female
• Cable Type: Passive Copper Extension Assembly
• Pinout Configuration: Standard PCIe-compliant with x4 to x1 lane mapping
• Cable Length: Standard options: 0.25m, 0.5m (Custom lengths up to 1.0m available; beyond may require validation for signal integrity) 
• Data Rate Support: Up to 16.0 GT/s (PCIe 4.0)
• Supported Protocols: PCI Express 4.0/3.0/2.0/1.0
• Impedance: 85 ohms differential (compliant with PCIe 4.0 standards) 
• Wire Gauge: 31 AWG (high-precision copper, typical for PCIe 4.0 low-loss applications) 
• Shielding: Foil and braid shielding for EMI protection
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to +70°C (commercial grade); -40°C to +85°C (industrial options)
• Durability: Minimum 500 insertion cycles
• Safety Standards: RoHS compliant

Applications

• Low-Profile Servers and HTPCs: Deploying in slim servers and home theater PCs where the Down R/A design enables x1 card installation in x4 slots with minimal vertical clearance requirements.
• Embedded Systems: Supporting custom PCIe implementations in industrial and embedded computing applications requiring specific form factor adaptations and downward-facing cable routing for compact layouts.
• Test and Development Benches: Facilitating hardware validation and signal integrity testing where flexible access is needed in crowded setups, and the x4 to x1 adaptation enables device compatibility testing.
• Gaming and Workstation Customization: Enabling flexible component placement in custom PC builds where motherboard x1 slots are obstructed, with the Down R/A connector providing clearance in space-constrained environments.