Will Using PCIE4 Make My GPU Run At 8 Lanes£
Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: Intel Motherboards
Forum Description: Question about ASRock Intel Motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=22329
Printed Date: 22 Jul 2025 at 6:30pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Will Using PCIE4 Make My GPU Run At 8 Lanes£
Posted By: captopril25mg
Subject: Will Using PCIE4 Make My GPU Run At 8 Lanes£
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2022 at 6:04am
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Hi. I have i5 10600k (10th gen chip, 16 lanes), Asrock Z590 Pro4, RTX 3070. I have 2 NVME at M2_1 and M2_2. Long story short.. I want a 3rd NVME for gaming storage. I've been learning about PCIe lanes, PCIe slots vs lanes, etc. Despite the 2 NVME, my GPU is still running at 16 lanes according to GPU-Z. Now.. if I was to get a 3rd NVME and connect it using an NVME/PCIe adapter and connect it to PCIE5 (bottom x16 slot), would that make my GPU run at 8 lanes? I've referred to the Asrock manual but it didn't specify. And I'm not super knowledgeable about computers to make any conclusions myself (still trying to learn). the x8 vs x16 lanes for my 3070 in terms of FPS is pretty significant. So I might just get a SATA as others suggested. Thank you. |
Replies:
Posted By: ASRock_TSD
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2022 at 12:01pm
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Hi captopril25mg, Thank you for your post. Because M.2_3 is connected to the chipset, installing SSD to M.2_3 will not make your GPU link speed down to x8. Please feel free to use it. All the best ASRock TSD |
Posted By: captopril25mg
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2022 at 3:42am
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Hi, Thank you for reply. To clarify, I already have an NVME to M2_2 and M2_3. But I'd like to add a 3rd NVME via the Pcie x16 slot at the bottom. And based on your reply, my GPU will then run at 8 lanes because the bottom x16 slot is connected to the CPU. Am I correct in this assumption? Thank you. |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2022 at 7:35am
From your board's spec sheet. So no, your GPU will not be limited to x8. The GPU will remain at Gen4 x16 and the NVMe drive will operate at Gen3 x4 as I suspect the bottom slot is connected to the chipset not the CPU. It also does not appear that any of the M.2 slots share lanes with the bottom PCIe slot (some older gen boards used to do this). So the TLDR is you should be fine with that config, GPU at Gen4 x16 and PCIe NVMe at Gen3 x4. I hope this helps. ------------- 
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Posted By: captopril25mg
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2022 at 5:24am
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Just to confirm, my GPU remained at x16 lanes even when the bottom x16 slot is used. 10600k Asrock Z590 Pro4 (refer to manual to understand my exact configuration) M2_2 = unused since I only have a 10th gen Intel CPU PCIE2 = RTX 3070 M2_2 = NVME M2_3 = NVME PCIE4 = NVME m.2 adapter I used GPU-Z to check, even with the PCIE4 slot used, my RTX 3070 remained at x16 lanes. The NVME in the m.2 adapter (@ PCIE4 slot) was running at advertised speeds as per CrystalMark |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2022 at 5:36am
Awesome, just like I thought  Enjoy the extra storage  -------------
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