PCI to PCI-E Bridge explanation

[tn00]

Hi, what is really the difference between native PCI support of a motherboard and PCI support via PCI to PCI-E bridge?

Is there any performance difference? I use a PCI dsp audio system/interface (Pro Tools HD2 accel for PCI-X), and at my current system (GA-Z77-DS3H), the pci usage meter is always at 10% at idle state and it loads much more easily compared to my older mobo (intel socket775, don't remember the actual model).

The difference between the two motherboards is that the newer uses a PCI to PCI-E bridge.

The PCI performance was definitely better at the older setup.

Is there something i can do? some Bios settings? (the only related i found is the PCI opRom Priority, now set to UEFI, if it makes a difference, but i didn't try to change it yet)

Is it time to upgrade my system to the newer pci-e version, or is there a way to make the pci-x to work as supposed?

thank you in advance

 

[ch424]

You're right - Z77 doesn't have legacy PCI built in, so there's a bridge chip. This shouldn't slow it down terribly much though. I guess all you can try is that opRom setting, and try updating all the drivers in windows?

On your old motherboard was it a PCI or PCI-X slot? That might affect it too