PCI Express running at 8X instead of 16X

[imported_OSUBaller]

Hey everyone. I just finished assembling a new rig as a light gaming rig. It is an AMD FX-55 with an evga GeForce 7950GT vidcard in a Shuttle SN26P (nForce 4) sff case.

I ran 3dMark2006, and found that my system ran on the lower end of similarly configured systems. Trying to determine what was the cause, I carefully went over the system information, to see if there were any settings that I could adjust. Here is a screen shot of the systems information scan from 3dmark2006:

SNAPSHOT

What I found odd was that despite this motherboard having 2 PCI-Express 16X slots, and having a PCI Express 16X vidcard, that the bus was running at only 8X. I circled this in red in the screen shot above.

Now, I understand that if I was running 2 vidcards in SLI mode, that then both PCI Express slots would be running at 8X, for a total of 16X. But here I have a single vidcard, running at 8X.

Short question to a long story: What do I need to do to get the bus running at 16X? Is this potentially affecting my rig's performance on these benchmarks?

Thanks everyone. Hopefully this wasn't TOO verbose.

 

[JPB]

I could be wrong, but doesnt it only run 16x while in SLI mode ?

 

[Extelleron]

Looking in 3D Mark 06 at the same setting it says mine is 2X. Could this be why I'm getting subpar performance with my 8800GTS?

 

[Rinaun]

Originally posted by: Extelleron
Looking in 3D Mark 06 at the same setting it says mine is 2X. Could this be why I'm getting subpar performance with my 8800GTS?

yes.

 

[coloumb]

Not sure if this will help:

nvidia forum post

 

[imported_OSUBaller]

Thanks for the link coloumb; I tried snapping in the SLI interface card, to see if that would work, but still no go. I will try calling the manufacturers of the card and the board on Monday to see if they can be of use.

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: Rinaun

Originally posted by: Extelleron
Looking in 3D Mark 06 at the same setting it says mine is 2X. Could this be why I'm getting subpar performance with my 8800GTS?

yes.

How do I fix this then? I've been getting performance w/ my 8800GTS thats worse than my old X1900XT.

 

[Aries64]

Originally posted by: OSUBaller
Hey everyone. I just finished assembling a new rig as a light gaming rig. It is an AMD FX-55 with an evga GeForce 7950GT vidcard in a Shuttle SN26P (nForce 4) sff case.

I ran 3dMark2006, and found that my system ran on the lower end of similarly configured systems. Trying to determine what was the cause, I carefully went over the system information, to see if there were any settings that I could adjust. Here is a screen shot of the systems information scan from 3dmark2006:

SNAPSHOT

What I found odd was that despite this motherboard having 2 PCI-Express 16X slots, and having a PCI Express 16X vidcard, that the bus was running at only 8X. I circled this in red in the screen shot above.

Now, I understand that if I was running 2 vidcards in SLI mode, that then both PCI Express slots would be running at 8X, for a total of 16X. But here I have a single vidcard, running at 8X.

Short question to a long story: What do I need to do to get the bus running at 16X? Is this potentially affecting my rig's performance on these benchmarks?

Thanks everyone. Hopefully this wasn't TOO verbose.

Hey OSUBaller,

An obvious question - although perfectly legitimate and crucial: Have you checked the mobo's BIOS to see if there is a section where you can "set" the PCI-E Graphics Mode, i.e. 8X, 16X, ect.? Take a careful look at your mobo's BIOS options...

 

[imported_OSUBaller]

Originally posted by: Aries64

Originally posted by: OSUBaller
Hey everyone. I just finished assembling a new rig as a light gaming rig. It is an AMD FX-55 with an evga GeForce 7950GT vidcard in a Shuttle SN26P (nForce 4) sff case.

I ran 3dMark2006, and found that my system ran on the lower end of similarly configured systems. Trying to determine what was the cause, I carefully went over the system information, to see if there were any settings that I could adjust. Here is a screen shot of the systems information scan from 3dmark2006:

SNAPSHOT

What I found odd was that despite this motherboard having 2 PCI-Express 16X slots, and having a PCI Express 16X vidcard, that the bus was running at only 8X. I circled this in red in the screen shot above.

Now, I understand that if I was running 2 vidcards in SLI mode, that then both PCI Express slots would be running at 8X, for a total of 16X. But here I have a single vidcard, running at 8X.

Short question to a long story: What do I need to do to get the bus running at 16X? Is this potentially affecting my rig's performance on these benchmarks?

Thanks everyone. Hopefully this wasn't TOO verbose.

Hey OSUBaller,

An obvious question - although perfectly legitimate and crucial: Have you checked the mobo's BIOS to see if there is a section where you can "set" the PCI-E Graphics Mode, i.e. 8X, 16X, ect.? Take a careful look at your mobo's BIOS options...

I scoured my mobo's BIOS options as thoroughly as possible. There was nothing regarding PCI bus, 8X, 16X, or anything.