A card edge connector assembly includes a card edge connector and support hardware. The card edge connector includes a housing extending between a top and a bottom having a card slot at the top receiving a pluggable module in a mating direction. Contacts electrically connect to the pluggable module and the host circuit board. The support hardware has a top and a bottom and has first and second mounting blocks mounted to the host circuit board. The support hardware has a side rail extending between the first and second mounting blocks. A cavity that receives the card edge connector is defined on a first side by the side rail and on first and second ends by the first and second mounting blocks. The top of the support hardware is flush with or below the top of the card edge connector.