Intel Motherboards - GPU on pcie x16@x4 3.0

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GPU on pcie x16@x4 3.0

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=6071
Printed Date: 29 Jul 2025 at 1:14pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: GPU on pcie x16@x4 3.0

Posted By: Hiro
Subject: GPU on pcie x16@x4 3.0
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2017 at 1:30am

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Motherboard: AsRock Z97 extreme4

Cpu: Xeon E3-1231 v3

Gpu: Msi GTX970

Ram: 2x8Gb

OS: Windows 10

GPU-Z and speccy tell me that my GPU is running on a x16 pcie-port @x4 3.0. Why is it only x4?

This doesn´t change when I use the build in GPU-Z performance test. The test only changes the speed from 1.0 to 3.0 but the lanes stay at x4.

I´m using the upper pcie port (PCIE2) and there are no other pci-cards in the motherboard now.

I tried the PCIE5 port which is meant for a second GPU at x8. This time GPU-Z tells me I´m using a x16 port at x8 3.0 which should be correct.

I also tried a different GPU (GTX1080) but nothing changed.

I´m using the newest drivers for the GPU and the motherboard. I also reinstalled windows 10.

Can anybody help me?

Replies:

Posted By: ASRock_TSD
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2017 at 11:36am

Dear Hiro,

Thank you for choosing ASRock.

Regarding your case, we provide some suggestion.

1. Clean up the PCIe slot.

2. Check with latest version GPU-Z.

3. Install the latest NVIDIA driver.

4. Run GPU stress test to check if the graphic card is running at PCIe x16 speed.

Thank you!

Yours truly,

ASRock TSD

Posted By: Hiro
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2017 at 12:39am

Hi!

I already cleaned the slot. I'm using the latest version of GPU-Z and the latest drivers from nvidia.

I tested the PCIE2 (x16@x4) slot and the PCIE5 (x16@x8) slot with the "3DMark fire strike" benchmark test. I get about 5% better results with the PCIE5 slot.

When I use the PCIE2 slot it stays at x4 all the time even though the FurMark stress test is running.