Request Assistance, I'm encountering issues with PCIe bifurcation (solved).
Request Assistance, I'm encountering issues with PCIe bifurcation (solved).
OS - Windows 10 x64 Pre-installed OS (frequently reset) The setup was assembled in June 2023. Age of OS installation - 2 months CPU model - Ryzen 5 7600 Graphics card model - Arous 3060 ti and a MSI GeForce 1660 Super Motherboard - Asus Prime B650-plus Power Supply - Corsair 750 watt 3060 ti connected via DP to 1st monitor DisplayPort X2 HDMI 2.0 X2 1660 Super connected via HDMI to 2nd monitor DisplayPort X1 HDMI 2.0 X1 Quick assessment, I’m unsure about the next steps. I primarily use this machine for gaming and streaming. It has a dual GPU setup since it was from my prior configuration. The 3060 ti is handling Gen 4 x16 PCIe lanes while the 1660 Super operates at Gen 3 x4 PCIe lanes. Although many online sources claim both run at x8 x8 (Gen 4 and Gen 3 respectively), this aligns better with the information in the attached screenshot. In the BIOS, my system doesn’t explicitly confirm whether it’s running 1x16 and 1x4 or both at x8 x8. I’ve tried various capture cards and would face similar issues if connected to the same PC, as they would divert PCIe lanes from the graphics card. To top it off, I’d lower my refresh rate without expecting performance gains. NDI appears promising, though I’d still rely on my main machine for capturing and then stream via network encoding. A dual PC configuration seems appealing but I’m hesitant to cut refresh rates using HDMI. I’m seeking guidance here. Edited January 14, 2024 by Tweasforbees
Your board operates the top lane at Gen 4 x16 from the CPU, while the other lane runs Gen 3 x4 from the chipset. The device doesn't allow internal lane splitting. When people mention x8/x8 support, they usually refer to boards such as the B650-Creator or X670E Carbon, where the main PCIe lane shares bandwidth with a secondary lane. Such features are uncommon today, mainly because multi-GPU configurations were the main reason for their use and they're not common in consumer builds. Additionally, implementing this is costly—PCIe switches are expensive, and on lower-end boards like yours, it's simply impractical. Motherboards function as standard power delivery cables. To direct PCIe lanes to different sections, the board needs an inline switch to reroute them between slots; without one, it can't manage the lanes you're using. There are add-in cards that provide this capability, but they're rare and difficult to locate.
It's tough to get right without it feeling really sloppy unless you own a tiny ITX board inside an ATX case. I wasn't sure, thinking it was just about rerouting lanes, but both my budget X370 AsRock ITX and my more expensive X470 Gaming Pro Carbon boards work fine, similar to how my older non-OC AsRock B150m did (though not completely certain).
There are distinct differences in bifurcation support options. Some boards can be divided into multiple segments like an ITX model with an add-in card, while others offer built-in support such as x8/x8 configurations found on the X470 Gaming Pro Carbon. The type I’m discussing requires specific switches and isn’t about splitting a slot. Your current ITX board likely doesn’t support this, and your older B150 board probably won’t either. The x8/x8 setup was more prevalent during the X470 era because most X370/X470 models didn’t include it. Multi-GPU setups were still common back then, and PCIe Gen 3 switches are significantly cheaper than Gen 5 ones, so they didn’t add much extra cost compared to the price jump on the X570. On the X570, boards with and without these switches could differ by around $50 due to added complexity in routing and switch integration. With PCIe Gen 5, the impact is even greater, increasing the board price by roughly $100—though this varies as some boards still share the same manufacturer.
You’re asking about the compatibility and configuration options for different slot sizes and memory configurations. It seems you’re wondering if certain boards require specific passive add-ins to support wider slots or higher capacities, and whether there are technical limitations or workarounds involved. You also mentioned past experiences with RAM upgrades and the need for flexible expansion options.
Yes, that's typical. The second x8 is the section that changes, not the first half. I know only one board that flips both halves—the Z790 Dark KP. It requires a special chip called a PLX. Those were usually pricey and meant for premium systems (the first to come to mind with one was the GA-Z87X-OC Force), but from around Z370 prices jumped so high they became relevant mainly in server setups, and even then only in certain cases. It's said you can get add-in cards that support them, but they often cost more than the board itself.
I was considering purchasing an item similar to the one shown here. The device only has a single, somewhat difficult-to-access M.2 port, which might limit its usability. I’m open to trying it, though I’m concerned about its performance. Still, I’m willing to take the risk. It would likely be quite costly, but I’m hoping to find an add-in card that could achieve the same function for around 15 euros. I’ve seen these cards before, though they’re usually priced much higher—often over 100 euros on Aliexpress. I’m thinking about buying one, but it might be better saved for when I need it more in the future, since my current situation doesn’t require it.
The card's low cost comes from not rerouting signals. Instead, it slightly extends the PCIe connection, splitting the signal in half with one direction and the other. The high price on motherboards is due to the need for an interrupt component that redirects the signal to another slot.
Sure, I understand. I’ll try to adjust the focus and clarify your question. Are you checking if an M.2 card compatible with NGFF can fit into a PCIe x4 slot?
Yes, it's possible. NGFF was previously known as M.2, so it should function correctly.