System and method for configuring an I/O bus

A system and method are provided for configuring an I/O bus. The system and method includes a plurality of adapter cards. A plurality of adapter card slots associated with the I/O busses receive the adapter cards into the computer. A user initiates optimization to check for configuration optimization problems and more specifically to check the placement of the adapter cards within the adapter card slots of the I/O busses. The user initiates optimization and in turn activates the improvement engine within the computer. The improvement engine analyzes the data transfer rates of the I/O busses and adapter cards and the placement of the adapter cards to determine an improved configuration of the adapter cards within the I/O busses. Indicators located proximate to the I/O busses display visual indication regarding the adapter card placement within the I/O busses allowing the user to determine if the configuration can be improved.