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nVidia GPU running at x8 native

dentedcapacitor
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I have a MSI GTX980 Gaming 4G connected to the top PCIE_X16/X8_1 slot on a Maximus VI Gene (Latest BIOS: 1603) board. I have no other expansion cards (not in a SLI config) and the processor is a i7 4790k. When I checked in the BIOS, it tells me it is running at x8 native. This is confirmed by GPU-Z, which tells me "PCI-E 3.0 x16 @ x8 3.0" even after running the render test from the ? symbol along with Valley and Heaven. Removed the CPU/GPU, checked the contacts even cleaned the slots, reset the CMOS and it still tells me it is running at x8 native.

 

What is going on here and how can I get the GPU to run at x16 native? From my research, the board has additional Asmedia USB3.0 and SATA ports. Could these be causing the PCIE lanes to be occupied and how do I disable them in the BIOS? Any help would be appreciated.

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USB 3.0 and SATA ports do not use PCIe. They are completely separate. You won't notice any difference in performance anyways. However, have you checked for any setting in the BIOS that might control the PCIe slot?

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Which Geforce driver are you using? If it is 305.12 uninstall that mess now before you GPU dies like other people with high resolution monitors, if not disregard my post.

I use 350.12 just fine.

"It pays to keep an open mind, but not so open your brain falls out." - Carl Sagan.

"I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you" - Edward I. Koch

"I didn't die! I performed a tactical reset!" - Apollolol

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Yes, I have. I checked under Advanced > System Agent Configuration > NB PCIe Configuration. I can only select the link speed. Either Auto, Gen 1, Gen 2 and Gen 3. Reason I brought up USB3.0 and SATA ports, it's been mentioned in similar topics on the ROG forums. 

 

@Leonard I have updated my drivers to 350.12 if that's what you mean and what is wrong with the latest drivers?

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I use 350.12 just fine.

same

 

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So I tested the GTX980 in another PC. The other PC I tested with had an i3-3220 with a B75 board which was my home media server so it didn't had a PCIE graphics card. The B75 board was supposed to be PCI-E3.0 compatible but it was only running at PCI-E2.0. However, GPU-Z reports: "PCI-E 2.0 x16 @ x16 2.0" which means all the PCI-E lanes were able to be utilized, hence I think I can rule out the card unless I am mistaken.

 

The Maximus though is a different story. I tried it with a spare GTX550Ti and 8400GS which are PCI-E2.0 x16 cards. Here's the thing, the board will not detect these cards either in the PCIE_X16/X8_1 slot or the PCIE_X8_2 slot. It loaded the IGP instead and going through the BIOS, it reports the PCIE port is not connected even though the fans of the GTX550Ti are spinning. Anyone can give point me in the right direction here? I am thinking the motherboard is faulty but I need to do some more troubleshooting before sending the board off for a month long RMA.

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I've had issues with my Asus Maximus VI as well, The board does have a feature that runs the two 16x slots at x8 if both are used however you said you are only using one slot so it could be a board issue I'm not exactly sure.

I'm Probably at work so expect a reply either really fast or really slow :D

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I use 350.12 just fine.

Good to hear. What OS and GPU are you using?

 

 

Yes, I have. I checked under Advanced > System Agent Configuration > NB PCIe Configuration. I can only select the link speed. Either Auto, Gen 1, Gen 2 and Gen 3. Reason I brought up USB3.0 and SATA ports, it's been mentioned in similar topics on the ROG forums. 
 
@Leonard I have updated my drivers to 350.12 if that's what you mean and what is wrong with the latest drivers?

 

Nothing is wrong with the last driver 347.88, it is 350.12 that is causing problems for many people. Were you getting this problem on the 347.88 driver? If not then go back to it just to be safe.

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I was using 347.88 previously as I always keep my drivers updated. It was the same even before going to 350.12. Right now, I am more focused on why the board does not detect the PCIE2.0 cards since technically PCIE3.0 is backwards compatible with older cards.

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Good to hear. What OS and GPU are you using?

Windows 7. GTX 970 and 660 Ti.

"It pays to keep an open mind, but not so open your brain falls out." - Carl Sagan.

"I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you" - Edward I. Koch

"I didn't die! I performed a tactical reset!" - Apollolol

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does this happen with the previous driver?

 

if possible try to rollback the driver and see what happens

 

otherwise

 

do the DisplayDriverUninstall

 

and then reinstall the driver again

 

possible the update bonk something

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