Asrock Z97k Killer Motherboard. Evga gtx980ti

Hello all ... I'm hoping someone can help me so I can stop beating my head on the wall :D

I have an Asrock z97k killer motherboard, i7-4790k cpu (not OC'ed, thought it is watercooled), and an Evga gtx980ti Hybrid card.

According to the Asrock [URL=http://asrock.pc.cdn.bitgravity.com/Manual/Fatal1ty%20Z97X%20Killer.pdf]Manual[/URL], the graphics card needs to be installed in the PCIE2 slot, closest to the CPU so it will operate at x16 lanes.

However, when I have the card in that slot, but PC runs likes garbage. It takes longer to boot up, it takes longer to load a game, and if I am lucky, I'll get MAYBE 7fps. If I get the game to load, it takes FOREVER to exit out it's so laggy.

If I put the card in the PCIE4 slot, it will work fine, however the card will only operate at x8 lanes. So I'm not getting the full benefit of the card =(.

I do have a Samsung MZVPV256HDGL-000H1 nvme M2 drive in the M2 slot. That slot is directly under the x16 pcie slot. It's stamped on the Motherboard next to the m2 slot (pcie/m2). I don't know if it's shared with the x16 slot or not, and I can not find ANY manuals explaining that it is.

I've reset the bios. I pulled the battery and the moved the pin to reset the bios. I'm updated to the latest bios (2.60).

I'm at my wits end trying to figure this out. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've sent a message to Asrock tech support, but I don't know if I will hear back from them or not.

Thanks!
wangel