Need help about PCIe port on a Z690 Hero

[Ribellu]

Hi everyone, I installed my GPU on the second PCIe  (G5_2) port because I don't have the space in my case to put it in the first port, the problem is that the GPU works in x8 instead of x16.

In the manual it says that the two PCIe ports are x16. I also have an SSD on port M2_1.

I don't understand why I'm in x8 with this configuration?

My CPU is a 12700KF and GPU 4080 Super.

[Vynra]

You dont even tell us what motherboard you have....

[Ribellu]

I wrote it in the title but ok no worries, it's a Z 690 Hero.

[siposnorbert71]

Z690 Hero 

[MrAgapiGC · Accepted solution]

I think this board has a limitacion on that area. The board does have 3 slot.

• PCIEX16(G5)1: It will be the first and main slot designed to install our dedicated graphics card. It is connected to the 16 PCIe 5.0 lanes of the CPU, and shares bus with the next, so they can work in x16/x0 or x8/x8 modes.
• PCIEX16(G5)-2: Also in a x16 format, but this time you will have only 8 lanes enabled, being connected to the CPU and running in PCIe 5.0 mode.
• PCIEX16(G4): will be the bottom slot that is connected to the chipset, with 8 PCIe 4.0 lanes enabled, running in x4 or x4/x4 mode.

Base on reviews notes above from those days, is known also on others

TechPowerup also mentioned:

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero offers three PCI Express x16 slots, with the top two reinforced for extra stress support. PCIe slot one and two are PCIe Gen5 with a total of x16 lanes coming from the CPU. Slot one can either operate at x16 or x8. Slot 2 is wired for PCIe Gen5 x8 ..

If you check the board at close you will see also the pins as follow

[Ribellu]

Thank you very much for the explanation, I searched but I did not find a diagram on the PCIe lines of this motherboard, the Asus manuals are poorly explained and not detailed enough.

[MrAgapiGC]

my pleasure as always