vernacular

Because every driver update breaks this it's easier if you have a method of adding the same registry key again and again just by using a .REG file tailored to the registry directory that needs this added value.

1. Open notepad.
2. Copy/Paste this quote:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Video\{47CB24C6-D2B5-424E-BCA4-F8F7D1DD5152}\0000]
"RMPcieLinkSpeed"=dword:00000004

**YOU MUST CHANGE THE VALUE IN BOLD TO THE CORRECT DIRECTORY FOR YOUR SPECIFIC REGISTRY** 
*SEE POST #1 FOR IDENTIFYING THE CORRECT PATH* 
 
3. Save as RMPcieLinkSpeed.REG or whatever you want, doesn't matter.
4. Whenever you update drivers and need to add the value again you can just double-click this created .REG file to add it.

I have only tested this on my setup just for the sake of others because my setup doesn't use PCI 3.0. I do not know if the path would remain the same when drivers are updated. If it does, this should work and you'd only have to set up this file once. Much quicker than opening up the registry after every single driver update to re-add the same value.

vernacular

mwparrish 
In the time that it takes you to look up the new Display ID, you might as well just type in RMPcieLinkSpeed and 0004... especially if you're running SLI.

It's not hard, just mildly inconvenient.

As for why it's not done by default, I don't know.  If PCIE 2.0 is all that's available for hardware, it runs PCIE 2.0 so it makes no difference on the software side to have it there and enabled by default.

I suppose it's a contractual thing with PCI SIG that requires the qualification to be complete first... or something legal versus techincal.

Still, the bottom line is that they run PCIE 3.0 with the added entry.  The hardware supports it and the drivers to do with that one small tweak.

So it changes the ID on every driver update? That's a shame. It'd be nice to just have it enabled by default or have a check box in nVidia control panel to enable it.

KW-Sparhawk

Tried it with my X79 FTW and 3820, but it still says 2.0 for some reason? Maybe I didn't do it right, but I did follow instructions pretty closely. Is it just the 3820 that doesn't support 3.0?

mwparrish

driftefx

KW-Sparhawk

Tried it with my X79 FTW and 3820, but it still says 2.0 for some reason? Maybe I didn't do it right, but I did follow instructions pretty closely. Is it just the 3820 that doesn't support 3.0?

I am having the same problem. X79 SLI + 3820. GPU-Z shows up as 2.0 after registry tweak.

Is there an option to turn it on in the BIOS? I haven't been able to find it.

Yep, have to change PCIE bifurcation from GEN2 to GEN3.  It's in the IOH submenu.

1. Enable GEN-3 in the BIOS for the slots (IOH menu I think)
2. Double-check your registry edit

KW-Sparhawk

jbgrobler

KW-Sparhawk: I have the X79 FTW, i7-3820, and GTX 680, and GPU-Z is showing it as "PCI-E 3.0 x 16 @ 1.1". Once I start running games it hops to "PCI-E 3.0 x 16 @ 3.0". The important part is "PCI-E 3.0 x 16". The "@ 1.1", "@ 2.0" and "@ 3.0" changes depending on load.

1. Enable GEN-3 in the BIOS for the slots (IOH menu I think)
2. Double-check your registry edit

The 3820 definitely supports 3.0.

Awesome man! Awesome! It's all good now! Much Thanks to OP and others for the help. Now this board is starting to live up to my expectations, ...it's been a lot of work, but as soon as I get these USB ports working I'll be one happy customer. (sometimes they work, and sometimes they don't...still trying different combos)

comrade

Iluv2raceit

For those of you who have been asking the directions on how to enable PCI-E 3.0 within Windows 7, here are the instructions!
 
These are instructions on how to enable PCI-E 3.0 using the REGEDIT function within the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system:

Hardware requirements in order for these directions to work properly:
 
1) Motherboard is PCI-E 3.0 hardware certified
 
2) Graphics card (NVidia or AMD) is PCI-E 3.0 hardware certified (currently, NVidia 600 series cards and AMD 7000 series cards are PCI-E 3.0 hardware certified)
 
NOTE: I highly recommend you ensure the motherboard is updated to the most current BIOS version and that PCI-E 3.0 is enabled within the BIOS settings.

CRITICAL!! Back up your registry before proceeding! This will ensure that you can restore your registry should you enter an invalid value or conduct one of the steps incorrectly.
 
Step 1: Update your graphics drivers to the latest version (doesn't matter if you use the WHQL or beta version) and restart your computer.
 
Step 2: Download the latest version of GPU-Z:
http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/SysInfo/GPU-Z/

Step 3: Run GPU-Z and verify that the “Graphics Bus interface” value shows PCI-E 2.0 for each card

Step 4: Disable SLI -or- Crossfire (if enabled). If SLI -or- Crossfire are not enabled, skip to Step 5

Step 5: Click on the Windows button (located on the lower left corner of the start bar)

Step 6: In the search index entry window, type in “Regedit” (the Registry Editor window will open)

Step 7: Select the following registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Video

Step 8: Identify the correct registry folders for each of graphics cards you have installed. There will be one associated folder for each card installed. To identify the correct folder for each card, you will need to review the names of each folder within the “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/ CurrentControlSet/ Control/Video” registry directory. The folder associated with a graphics card will have three or more subfolders (depending on how many PCI-E slots available on the motherboard). The values listed for each subfolder will be 0000, 0001, 0002, 0003, 0004, and Video. Review only the subfolders labeled as "0000". You will know you have selected the correct "0000" subfolder when you see a registry labeled “DriverDesc” with a value that matches the graphics card you have installed. Example, the value in my “DriverDesc” registry value reads “NVIDIA Geforce GTX 680”.

Step 9: Right click on the folder labeled “0000”. Select “New”, then select “DWORD (32-bit) Value“, then enter “RMPcieLinkSpeed” for the name of the registry.

Step 10: Right click the “RMPcieLinkSpeed” registry you just created, then select “Modify”, then enter “4” as the data value and verify that the “Hexadecimal” option is checked under “Base”, and then select “OK”.

Step 11: Repeat steps 9 and 10 for each graphics card associated folder (named “0000”)

Step 12: Once you have completed creating the RMPcieLinkSpeed registry for each card, close the Registry Editor window and restart your computer.

Step 13: Once your system is back into Windows 7 operating system environment, run GPU-Z and verify that the “Graphics Bus interface” value shows PCI-E 3.0 for each card.

Step 14: Re-enable SLI -or- Crossfire as needed.

CONGRATULATIONS!! PCI-E 3.0 is now fully enabled within Windows 7

*UPDATE*  Please note that if you update your graphics drivers, this registry hack will be undone and PCI-E 2.0 will be enabled again.  Due to this issue, I added a step at the very beginning of these instructions to have you update the graphics drivers BEFORE doing the registry hack.  Hopefully, this will save you a bit of time and hassle.

Just wondering, since I'm most definitely not an expert in Registry editing..., but the options for a new DWORD entry give both a 32 bit and a 64 bit option.  If one is running a 64 bit OS, should not the new entry be a 64 bit entry..., or does it not make a difference?