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PCI-E x16 and x8

Tags:
  • GPUs
  • Motherboards
  • PCI Express
Last response: in Motherboards
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July 14, 2014 3:41:53 PM

So i have a motherboard that supports, well that has one PCI-e x16 slot (M5A78L-M LX3). I have a Zotac GT 630 Zone edition GPU and when i see the PCI-e link width in cpu-z and gpu-z, it shows that the max width is x8... :??:  Since the "PCI-e x 16" says everywhere on the motherboard, manual, etc., the max shouldnt be x 16? Please help

More about : pci x16

a c 94 V Motherboard
July 14, 2014 3:48:05 PM

Some MB's downclock the bus until it's needed. In reality, it doesn't matter, the 630 will never probably max out 4x the bus, nevermind 8x or 16x. It's a low end card and not very demanding.
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July 14, 2014 3:50:10 PM

getochkn said:
Some MB's downclock the bus until it's needed. In reality, it doesn't matter, the 630 will never probably max out 4x the bus, nevermind 8x or 16x. It's a low end card and not very demanding.


But is there a way to change the bus width?

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a c 94 V Motherboard
July 14, 2014 3:52:02 PM

Did you read the first part? It's probably downclocking itself when it's in desktop mode. Under gaming or full load, it will crank up to 16x. Mine downclocks to 1x mode.

And don't obsess over it. The only reason to it, is because you want it. There will be zero benefit from it. Zero.
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July 14, 2014 5:09:59 PM

getochkn said:
Did you read the first part? It's probably downclocking itself when it's in desktop mode. Under gaming or full load, it will crank up to 16x. Mine downclocks to 1x mode.

And don't obsess over it. The only reason to it, is because you want it. There will be zero benefit from it. Zero.


Even while in game, it doesnt change because is the MAX width that cpu-z shows but not in the mobo, only the 1.1 to 2.0, i understand that i wont benefit from it but im just curious about it, why the MAX width is x8 not x16
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July 26, 2014 2:28:53 AM

I'm trying to figure out the same thing on mine lolichop. I even ran software to max out the video card and it doesn't move from x8. Unfortunately I just dealt with the same kind of person as getochkn. Who decides that because for THEM that it doesn't matter that it doesn't matter for anyone. Forget those of us trying to figure out WHY it's happening. For them it's just easier to answer with "it doesn't matter because it doesn't affect performance".
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a c 354 V Motherboard
July 26, 2014 3:54:12 AM

lolichop said:
So i have a motherboard that supports, well that has one PCI-e x16 slot (M5A78L-M LX3). I have a Zotac GT 630 Zone edition GPU and when i see the PCI-e link width in cpu-z and gpu-z, it shows that the max width is x8... :??:  Since the "PCI-e x 16" says everywhere on the motherboard, manual, etc., the max shouldnt be x 16? Please help


There will be little to no difference, I have my R9 290X in an X8 slot on my Gigabyte X79 UP4, and there is maximum of a 2 FPS loss, that's it. I did this as my GPU was too close to my CPU cooler, blocking the fan's intake by 60%, now CPU temps have dropped by 11 degrees, and more airflow from side 200mm case fan has allowed cool air to be sucked straight up. So there isn't a need and for you want for it to be in X16.
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