LockedHow to enable PCI-E 3.0 in Windows 7

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 (GEN 3) is enabled within the motherboard 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.
 

This is only for X79 users. Possibly Z77 with i3, i5, and i7 2000 series processors as well.

The Hell? So everyone who has X79, Z77, etc. with a PCI-e 3.0 GPU, isn't even getting full PCI-e 3.0 speeds?
 
It's pretty crappy someone has to edit their registry just for that...

Thats exactly what I thought when I started reading that everyone had to mod to get it to work. 

Isn't this a driver limitation (when using nvidia drivers)?
 
Edit: Nm, you noted it at the end that it is indeed being disabled by the nvidia drivers.

The only CPU that officially supports PCI-E 3.0 is the new Ivy Bridge processors. All others have to use the registry hack.

Oh okay, gotcha

This is only needed on x79 platforms, because pci-e 3.0 hasn't been certified by intel on that platform from what i've heard.   Pci-e 3.0 is functional and works properly on Z68 gen3 boards and Z77, no need for this unless you are on x79.

RainStryke

The only CPU that officially supports PCI-E 3.0 is the new Ivy Bridge processors. All others have to use the registry hack.

Ahh that clears things up! Thanks. Was just thinking I had to do that on Z77's also lol.

I dont know why your worried EG91, you will post a FS thread before you have time to tinker with it. 

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.

Thanx for the info, and here I thoughtNvidia would REALLY Support the 3.0 buses. Well I guess when I get the money i'll be getting the Ivy Bridge processor then, but only Nvidia can let our GPUs use the 3.0 buses.
 
Their is now good reason why Nvidia can't enable the 3.0 unless i'm missing something because they made the 600 series for 3.0 support.

Thanks for the post; it's a lot easier to follow than the converted Japanese site :)
 
There's something goofy for me when I enable 3.0 on my P9X79/I7-3820 combo though: it kills performance!  3DMark11 slows to a crawl.  I verified 3.0 enabled in Bios and tried a couple of times with the same result.

kb6183

Thanks for the post; it's a lot easier to follow than the converted Japanese site :)

There's something goofy for me when I enable 3.0 on my P9X79/I7-3820 combo though: it kills performance!  3DMark11 slows to a crawl.  I verified 3.0 enabled in Bios and tried a couple of times with the same result.

It's because your CPU doesn't support 3.0, only your motherboard does.

So I have a i7 2600K on a ASRock Z68 Extreme Gen 3 so will my board need this hack? Or am I good to go?

I actually did this last night for my X79, worked like a charm, gamed for three hours without an issue. 

sinisteragent

So I have a i7 2600K on a ASRock Z68 Extreme Gen 3 so will my board need this hack? Or am I good to go?

A 2600k does not support PCI-E 3.0.

Well crap... Will my mobo take the new 2000 processor?

sinisteragent

Well crap... Will my mobo take the new 2000 processor?

Yes your motherboard will take the 2700k but it doesn't support PCI-E 3.0 either. You need a 3770K.

This Ivy Bridge 3.0 pci stuff is retarded. The new chips are garbage they are thermally attached and not even fused so they get worse temps and don't OC for anything. I want to know if the sandy bridge chips like the 2500k/2600k are being held down by the actual hardware or if its a fix with software and they are just trying to get more money by making people to buy ivy bridge.

RainStryke

The only CPU that officially supports PCI-E 3.0 is the new Ivy Bridge processors. All others have to use the registry hack.

 
Actually, that is wrong.  All socket 2011 chips (3930k, 3820, 3960X) on Chipset X79 officially support PCIE-3.0.  Nvidia somehow didn't get the note to get their drivers certified and thus NVIDIA cards need this hack for X79.
 
I have been running PCIE-3.0 with NO hack with 7970's since January. I got this reg hack working a couple weeks back on my 680/X79 Classy rig.
 
This is an Nvidia problem, not Intel.  I am sure in the future we will see this change.

I want to believe that the 3820 supports pci-e 3.0... I really do (for selfish reasons) but the intel spec sheet says 2.0 :( 
 
http://ark.intel.com/products/63698/Intel-Core-i7-3820-Processor-(10M-Cache-3_60-GHz)

hoserx

I want to believe that the 3820 supports pci-e 3.0... I really do (for selfish reasons) but the intel spec sheet says 2.0 :( 

http://ark.intel.com/products/63698/Intel-Core-i7-3820-Processor-(10M-Cache-3_60-GHz)

Yes. I find it funny that the intel spec sheets for the 3820, 3930 & 3960 all say 2.0. I find it even funnier that a intel rep I spoke with over the phone said that all three do not support 3.0 but only 2.0 and that only the 3770k and IB-E support 3.0 correctly.

It sadly appears that it only officially supports 2.0. Luckily at this point, it doesn't matter with our graphics cards.... by the time it does, we can drop in new cpus. 

Johnny_Utah

RainStryke

The only CPU that officially supports PCI-E 3.0 is the new Ivy Bridge processors. All others have to use the registry hack.

Actually, that is wrong.  All socket 2011 chips (3930k, 3820, 3960X) on Chipset X79 officially support PCIE-3.0.  Nvidia somehow didn't get the note to get their drivers certified and thus NVIDIA cards need this hack for X79.

I have been running PCIE-3.0 with NO hack with 7970's since January. I got this reg hack working a couple weeks back on my 680/X79 Classy rig.

This is an Nvidia problem, not Intel.  I am sure in the future we will see this change.

 
Hmm... I have not heard of that one. Intel claims their 2011 socket processors only have a PCI-E 2.0 controller.
http://ark.intel.com/products/63696/Intel-Core-i7-3960X-Processor-Extreme-Edition-(15M-Cache-3_30-GHz) 
 
Did you reformat? Because this registry hack is not supposed to have anything to do with the drivers, it's to do with Windows 7 registry.

http://www.anandtech.com/...e-x79-pcie-30-it-works
 
I did a LOT of research in November before purchasing my X79 board and eventually my 2011 chip.  The board and chipset fully support PCIE-3.0.  Not sure why Intel has that info, very odd. 

http://www.techpowerup.co...X79-SNB-E-Systems.html
 
"Users of systems running Core i7 processors in the LGA2011 package and X79 chipset motherboards will find that their GeForce GTX 680 will not run at PCI-Express 3.0 x16 mode, using launch drivers. This is because NVIDIA decided against implementing Gen 3.0 support for the new GPU on X79/SNB-E systems, at the very last moment."
 
Nvidia, nobody else.

I don't think this does anything other than to let windows based program to see the motherboard as 3.0. I don't think it flips any switches in performance. Hardware is hardware and controlled by the bios

Sajin

hoserx

I want to believe that the 3820 supports pci-e 3.0... I really do (for selfish reasons) but the intel spec sheet says 2.0 :( 

http://ark.intel.com/products/63698/Intel-Core-i7-3820-Processor-(10M-Cache-3_60-GHz)

Yes. I find it funny that the intel spec sheets for the 3820, 3930 & 3960 all say 2.0. I find it even funnier that a intel rep I spoke with over the phone said that all three do not support 3.0 but only 2.0 and that only the 3770k and IB-E support 3.0 correctly.

 
Believe what you want (read my first link from anandtech).

Either a chip supports it or does not.  There are no two ways around it.  It either has a controller for 3.0 and runs, or it doesn't.  
 
If a software hack makes it work, then the CPU has the controller on it...does this make it any more clear?

Johnny_Utah

http://www.anandtech.com/...e-x79-pcie-30-it-works

I did a LOT of research in November before purchasing my X79 board and eventually my 2011 chip.  The board and chipset fully support PCIE-3.0.  Not sure why Intel has that info, very odd. 

Intel doesn't make mistakes. SB-E does not support 3.0. Call and ask Intel the question, they will set you straight.

Sajin

Johnny_Utah

http://www.anandtech.com/...e-x79-pcie-30-it-works

I did a LOT of research in November before purchasing my X79 board and eventually my 2011 chip.  The board and chipset fully support PCIE-3.0.  Not sure why Intel has that info, very odd. 

Intel doesn't make mistakes. SB-E does not support 3.0. Call and ask Intel the question, they will set you straight.

 
Sure buddy, sure. 
 
Then tell me, how does this hack work?  You can't hack the hardware (chip), can ya?  So it does support it.

I'm interested in knowing how it really works. Either Intel put a PCI-E 3.0 part in there and specify's it as a PCI-E 2.0 or somehow they are able to off-load the extra data to more lanes due to the 2011 socket processors having 40 lanes. I could be completely off too. If that is not how it works, I would assume the Sandy Bridge 1155 socket processors are capable of this too if you use a Z77 board.

Johnny_Utah

Sajin

Johnny_Utah

http://www.anandtech.com/...e-x79-pcie-30-it-works

I did a LOT of research in November before purchasing my X79 board and eventually my 2011 chip.  The board and chipset fully support PCIE-3.0.  Not sure why Intel has that info, very odd. 

Intel doesn't make mistakes. SB-E does not support 3.0. Call and ask Intel the question, they will set you straight.

Sure buddy, sure. 

Then tell me, how does this hack work?  You can't hack the hardware (chip), can ya?  So it does support it.

I think intel knows their product alot better than you or anandtech. I will believe them over you or anandtech any day when it comes to info about their product.

RainStryke

I'm interested in knowing how it really works. Either Intel put a PCI-E 3.0 part in there and specify's it as a PCI-E 2.0 or somehow they are able to off-load the extra data to more lanes due to the 2011 socket processors having 40 lanes. I could be completely off too. If that is not how it works, I would assume the Sandy Bridge 1155 socket processors are capable of this too if you use a Z77 board.

RS, you see what I am saying, correct?  For 3.0 to work, it requires a CPU that has the 3.0 controller on it.  No software can "hack" or provide the physical chip with a controller it does not have, right?
 
Okay, I took a GPU-Z screenshot of my 7970's rendering.  When idling, to save power, the PCI-E lanes run at 1.1 to save power:
 

Sajin

Johnny_Utah

Sajin

Johnny_Utah

http://www.anandtech.com/...e-x79-pcie-30-it-works

I did a LOT of research in November before purchasing my X79 board and eventually my 2011 chip.  The board and chipset fully support PCIE-3.0.  Not sure why Intel has that info, very odd. 

Intel doesn't make mistakes. SB-E does not support 3.0. Call and ask Intel the question, they will set you straight.

Sure buddy, sure. 

Then tell me, how does this hack work?  You can't hack the hardware (chip), can ya?  So it does support it.

I think intel knows their product alot better than you or anandtech. I will believe them over you or anandtech any day when it comes to info about their product.

 
Since you have no first hand knowledge about any of this hardware, I am done arguing with you, thanks for all your help.  Also, I love the "hey I talked with someone at Intel"  LOL okay buddy.  I could say the same.  Until you have this hardware in front of you and do the testing yourself, stop with the stories, mmkay?   Maybe you could provide me with some reason for what I am finding and actually help this conversation?

I guess Intel needs to fix their specifications on the website or something. This is new to me, thanks for the explanation.

RainStryke

I guess Intel needs to fix their specifications on the website or something. This is new to me, thanks for the explanation.

 
Sure, and please note, I am not trying to be rude, I am trying to understand and learn with everyone here.  I will keep working to provide more information.

1-916-377-7000

http://www.overclock3d.ne...cie2_vs_pcie3_review/3
 
Here they compare PCIE3.0 to 2.0.  They use as their 3.0 setup for comparison a 3960x on Rampage IV Extreme.  Look, these types of reviews are all over the internet using X79 boards with 2011 socket CPUs running PCI-E 3.0.  Intel needs to update their page or tell us why they say it's only 2.0 when CLEARLY 2011/x79 is has the 3.0 controller on it.  I think I have posted enough info here. 
 
 

@Johnny_Utah: You can't overcome what someone "believes", hence why I chose to not engage the incorrect statement that my cpu does not support PCIE-3.0
 
There is plenty of evidence to prove SNB-E chips do support v3.

kb6183

@Johnny_Utah: You can't overcome what someone "believes", hence why I chose to not engage the incorrect statement that my cpu does not support PCIE-3.0

There is plenty of evidence to prove SNB-E chips do support v3.

 
Roger that  

Johnny_Utah is correct. Sandy Bridge Extreme does without a doubt support PCI-E 3.0. I have tested this via both Windows and Linux on my Asus RIVE and EVGA FTW boards. In fact, one of the BOINC CUDA projects I am running generates much greater traffic on the PCI-E bus then any game or benchmark which makes it an ideal candidate for testing out PCI-E 3.0. There is up to a 16.5% difference in performance going from PCI-E 2.0 to 3.0. Take a look at this thread here where we were testing this out:
 
http://einstein.phys.uwm.edu/forum_thread.php?id=9462
 
I personally saw a 14.5% performance increase going from PCI-E 2.0 x16 or PCI-E 3.0 x8 to PCI-E 3.0 x16 in Linux with this particular application which leads me to believe that 3.0 is providing the application with additional bandwidth that it is able to benefit from.

Neither NVidia nor Intel are telling the entire truth.  But, what I can tell you is that I am running an Asus Rampage IV Extreme LGA2011 motherboard with a Sandy Bridge-E 3930K CPU and PCI-E 3.0 works great!  The only issues that I've run into are that some of the benchmarks run choppy.  3DMark11 and Unigine Heaven are the two benchmarks thus far that are not properly optimized to be run when PCI-E 3.0 is enabled.  It is definitely a software level related issue with the benchmark in how it measures performance and has nothing to do with the PCI-E 3.0 being enabled in itself.  When I run games with PCI-E 3.0 enabled, everything works perfectly.  The only real benefit of enabling PCI-E 3.0 is if you play games at very high resolutions beyond 2560 x 1200, such as those resolutions that are used in surround setups.  I happen to run a surround setup with 3 x 24" monitors @ 6000 x 1080 resolution and with all settings set to "Ultra".  PCI-E 3.0 really does make a difference.  BF3 in particular benefits well with PCI-E 3.0 enabled.  The problem is that at such high resolutions, the 2GB of VRAM buffer on each card fills up quickly as the PCI-E 2.0 bandwidth becomes saturated.  Using PrecisionX to monitor the VRAM, I observed all 2GB of DDR5 on each of my three GTX680s completely fill up and the game became stuttery to a point where it was unplayable in some areas during gameplay.  Once PCI-E 3.0 was enabled, the VRAM would fill up to around 1.7GB and the game remained stutter free throughout all levels with no problems at all as were experienced when PCI-E 2.0 was enabled.
 
So, the bottom line is that most people will NOT benefit having PCI-E 3.0 enabled.  It will only prove valuable performance wise only to those few gamers that run surround monitor setups.
 
I want to emphasize the fact that you DO NOT require an Ivy Bridge CPU to enable PCI-E 3.0!!  This is simply not true.  Don't believe me, try it out for yourself.  The only prerequisites are that you have a PCI-E 3.0 certified motherboard and PCI-E 3.0 certified graphics card.  It's that simple.  I know - I'm using it now!  Read my system specs below and make sure to view my CPU-Z validation.

Johnny_Utah

http://www.overclock3d.ne...cie2_vs_pcie3_review/3

Here they compare PCIE3.0 to 2.0.  They use as their 3.0 setup for comparison a 3960x on Rampage IV Extreme.  Look, these types of reviews are all over the internet using X79 boards with 2011 socket CPUs running PCI-E 3.0.  Intel needs to update their page or tell us why they say it's only 2.0 when CLEARLY 2011/x79 is has the 3.0 controller on it.  I think I have posted enough info here. 

Great link Johnny!  I personally wouldn't have wasted any time arguing with Sajin.  You and I already know 'the truth' because we actually own the hardware and have proven it first hand that PCI-E 3.0 works just fine with Sandy Bridge-E CPUs

kb6183

Thanks for the post; it's a lot easier to follow than the converted Japanese site :)

There's something goofy for me when I enable 3.0 on my P9X79/I7-3820 combo though: it kills performance!  3DMark11 slows to a crawl.  I verified 3.0 enabled in Bios and tried a couple of times with the same result.

Read my post on page 2.  Some benchmarks, like 3DMark11 and Unigine Heaven do NOT run properly with PCI-E 3.0 enabled.  It is simply an issue with the benchmark in how it measures performance and is currently not compatible with PCI-E 3.0 enabled.  Try using it in real games and make sure to use a monitoring tool like EVGA's PrecisionX to verify frame rates and GPU VRAM usage.  Also, you won't really notice an improvement unless you are running a surround monitor setup.
 
Remember, benchmarks are just a starting point for measuring a system's overall performance, but in the end they are indeed synthetic and do not reflect all aspects of a system's capabilities.

RainStryke

I guess Intel needs to fix their specifications on the website or something. This is new to me, thanks for the explanation.

Intel has posted incorrect specs for their products so many times, I've lost count.  They are especially bad about the specs they post for their CPUs.

RainStryke

The only CPU that officially supports PCI-E 3.0 is the new Ivy Bridge processors. All others have to use the registry hack.

Incorrect - PCI-E 3.0 is enabled through the graphics drivers.  Currently, NVidia does not enable PCI-E 3.0 with their graphics drivers.  From my understanding, neither does AMD (please correct me if this is wrong).

sinisteragent

So I have a i7 2600K on a ASRock Z68 Extreme Gen 3 so will my board need this hack? Or am I good to go?

Don't listen to Sajin - Yes, your system is capable of running PCI-E 3.0, but you will also require a PCI-E 3.0 certified graphics card along with your PCI-E 3.0 certified motherboard.

Iluv2raceit

RainStryke

I guess Intel needs to fix their specifications on the website or something. This is new to me, thanks for the explanation.

Intel has posted incorrect specs for their products so many times, I've lost count.  They are especially bad about the specs they post for their CPUs.

 
The thing that had me interested was way back in December right before I purchased my X79 board for use with the upcoming 7970/680 cards.  I did some investigating (regarding support for PCIE-3.0) then a great article over at Hardwaresecrets.com was posted.  After I read the article, I had some questions, and Gabriel Torres (editor in chief) answered them quite clearly for me:
 
http://forums.hardwaresec...g-educated-status/7802

Iluv2raceit

RainStryke

The only CPU that officially supports PCI-E 3.0 is the new Ivy Bridge processors. All others have to use the registry hack.

Incorrect - PCI-E 3.0 is enabled through the graphics drivers.  Currently, NVidia does not enable PCI-E 3.0 with their graphics drivers.  From my understanding, neither does AMD (please correct me if this is wrong).

 
Actually, with my 7970's, they worked right out of the box with PCIE-3.0.  That is why I couldn't understand why a reg hack was needed for Nvidia cards that were released 3 months later!

To put this to rest:
 
Nvidia has pci express 3.0 disabled on x79 platforms on the driver level - because it is not certified for that platform yet, ALTHOUGH IT IS SUPPORTED.   If you are using an x79 platform, you should use the registry trick to enable pcie 3.0.   
 
I've also used the 7970 and you don't need the hack there, pcie3.0 isn't disabled at the driver level on the 7970  on x79 platforms.   Pretty sure nvidia wants to make sure its 100% before enabling it in the driver, since it is not certified (although it IS supported)
 
Note: you do *not* need the registry trick for Z68gen3/ Z77 platforms.    PCI express 3.0 will work by default.

RainStryke

Johnny_Utah

RainStryke

The only CPU that officially supports PCI-E 3.0 is the new Ivy Bridge processors. All others have to use the registry hack.

Actually, that is wrong.  All socket 2011 chips (3930k, 3820, 3960X) on Chipset X79 officially support PCIE-3.0.  Nvidia somehow didn't get the note to get their drivers certified and thus NVIDIA cards need this hack for X79.

I have been running PCIE-3.0 with NO hack with 7970's since January. I got this reg hack working a couple weeks back on my 680/X79 Classy rig.

This is an Nvidia problem, not Intel.  I am sure in the future we will see this change.

Hmm... I have not heard of that one. Intel claims their 2011 socket processors only have a PCI-E 2.0 controller.
http://ark.intel.com/products/63696/Intel-Core-i7-3960X-Processor-Extreme-Edition-(15M-Cache-3_30-GHz) 

Did you reformat? Because this registry hack is not supposed to have anything to do with the drivers, it's to do with Windows 7 registry.

No reformatting.  The registry hack is straight forward (review my instructions provided on page 1).  As part of this registry hack, what you are doing in essence is modifying the portion of the registry that is in itself created when you install the graphics drivers.  All the registry does is it acts as a traffic cop and interpretor of sorts between the hardware and software with the operating system environment.  That's why when you update your graphics drivers, the registry hack is undone and PCI-E 2.0 is re-enabled.  Installing drivers essentially overwrites (and erases the registry hack) for that portion of the registry.  I hope this helps answer your question.

Iluv2raceit

kb6183

Thanks for the post; it's a lot easier to follow than the converted Japanese site :)

There's something goofy for me when I enable 3.0 on my P9X79/I7-3820 combo though: it kills performance!  3DMark11 slows to a crawl.  I verified 3.0 enabled in Bios and tried a couple of times with the same result.

Read my post on page 2.  Some benchmarks, like 3DMark11 and Unigine Heaven do NOT run properly with PCI-E 3.0 enabled.  It is simply an issue with the benchmark in how it measures performance and is currently not compatible with PCI-E 3.0 enabled.  Try using it in real games and make sure to use a monitoring tool like EVGA's PrecisionX to verify frame rates and GPU VRAM usage.  Also, you won't really notice an improvement unless you are running a surround monitor setup.

Remember, benchmarks are just a starting point for measuring a system's overall performance, but in the end they are indeed synthetic and do not reflect all aspects of a system's capabilities.

More good info, thanks again.  The fact I'm using a single 23" 1080P monitor atm is why I wasn't overly concerned with V3, but I do like to tinker so had to at least try it.  After the wife's sticker shock of my recent system build wears off a little, I can start looking at more/better monitors.

Johnny_Utah

Iluv2raceit

RainStryke

The only CPU that officially supports PCI-E 3.0 is the new Ivy Bridge processors. All others have to use the registry hack.

Incorrect - PCI-E 3.0 is enabled through the graphics drivers.  Currently, NVidia does not enable PCI-E 3.0 with their graphics drivers.  From my understanding, neither does AMD (please correct me if this is wrong).

Actually, with my 7970's, they worked right out of the box with PCIE-3.0.  That is why I couldn't understand why a reg hack was needed for Nvidia cards that were released 3 months later!

Good to know - thanks Johnny!  So, the registry hack is only required for us 'poor ole' NVidia green boys...lol

jdmalone1977

To put this to rest:

Nvidia has pci express 3.0 disabled on x79 platforms on the driver level - because it is not certified for that platform yet, ALTHOUGH IT IS SUPPORTED.   If you are using an x79 platform, you should use the registry trick to enable pcie 3.0.   

I've also used the 7970 and you don't need the hack there, pcie3.0 isn't disabled at the driver level on the 7970  on x79 platforms.   Pretty sure nvidia wants to make sure its 100% before enabling it in the driver, since it is not certified (although it IS supported)

Note: you do *not* need the registry trick for Z68gen3/ Z77 platforms.    PCI express 3.0 will work by default.

 
More great info, thanks JD!
 
I just think it's funny that a card released 3 months after the AMD counterpart isn't certified on a platform that has been out 4 months....call me crazy. 

Iluv2raceit

Johnny_Utah

Iluv2raceit

RainStryke

The only CPU that officially supports PCI-E 3.0 is the new Ivy Bridge processors. All others have to use the registry hack.

Incorrect - PCI-E 3.0 is enabled through the graphics drivers.  Currently, NVidia does not enable PCI-E 3.0 with their graphics drivers.  From my understanding, neither does AMD (please correct me if this is wrong).

Actually, with my 7970's, they worked right out of the box with PCIE-3.0.  That is why I couldn't understand why a reg hack was needed for Nvidia cards that were released 3 months later!

Good to know - thanks Johnny!  So, the registry hack is only required for us 'poor ole' NVidia green boys...lol

 
Hey now, my 680 needs some 3.0 love too!

Here is what is reported in Linux with driver 295.33 via my RIVE board without any modifications to enable PCI-E 3.0 like what is required with Windows. There is a lot of debug info but I bolded the link speed. Like I said above, the difference in performance with PCI-E 3.0 was confirmed with the use of an app that can take advantage of the bandwidth.
 
03:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation GK104 [GeForce GTX 680] (rev a1) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
        Subsystem: eVga.com. Corp. Device 2682
        Control: I/O+ Mem+ BusMaster+ SpecCycle- MemWINV- VGASnoop- ParErr- Stepping- SERR- FastB2B- DisINTx-
        Status: Cap+ 66MHz- UDF- FastB2B- ParErr- DEVSEL=fast >TAbort- <TAbort- <MAbort- >SERR- <PERR- INTx-
        Latency: 0
        Interrupt: pin A routed to IRQ 40
        Region 0: Memory at f8000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable)
        Region 1: Memory at c0000000 (64-bit, prefetchable)
        Region 3: Memory at c8000000 (64-bit, prefetchable)
        Region 5: I/O ports at d000
                Flags: PMEClk- DSI- D1- D2- AuxCurrent=0mA PME(D0-,D1-,D2-,D3hot-,D3cold-)
                Status: D0 NoSoftRst+ PME-Enable- DSel=0 DScale=0 PME-
                DevCap: MaxPayload 256 bytes, PhantFunc 0, Latency L0s unlimited, L1 <64us
                        ExtTag+ AttnBtn- AttnInd- PwrInd- RBE+ FLReset-
                DevCtl: Report errors: Correctable- Non-Fatal- Fatal- Unsupported-
                        RlxdOrd+ ExtTag+ PhantFunc- AuxPwr- NoSnoop-
                        MaxPayload 256 bytes, MaxReadReq 512 bytes
                DevSta: CorrErr+ UncorrErr- FatalErr- UnsuppReq- AuxPwr- TransPend-
                LnkCap: Port #0, Speed 8GT/s, Width x16, ASPM L0s L1, Latency L0 <512ns, L1 <4us
                        ClockPM+ Surprise- LLActRep- BwNot-
                LnkCtl: ASPM Disabled; RCB 64 bytes Disabled- Retrain- CommClk+
                        ExtSynch- ClockPM- AutWidDis- BWInt- AutBWInt-
                LnkSta: Speed 8GT/s, Width x16, TrErr- Train- SlotClk+ DLActive- BWMgmt- ABWMgmt-
                DevCap2: Completion Timeout: Range AB, TimeoutDis+
                DevCtl2: Completion Timeout: 50us to 50ms, TimeoutDis-
                LnkCtl2: Target Link Speed: 8GT/s, EnterCompliance- SpeedDis-, Selectable De-emphasis: -6dB                         Transmit Margin: Normal Operating Range, EnterModifiedCompliance- ComplianceSOS-                         Compliance De-emphasis: -6dB

AB Was Here per request... 

Thanks, this post will really help me out. My 670 FTW is scheduled to deliver tomorrow; bought diret from EVGA.

Iluv2raceit

RainStryke

Johnny_Utah

RainStryke

The only CPU that officially supports PCI-E 3.0 is the new Ivy Bridge processors. All others have to use the registry hack.

Actually, that is wrong.  All socket 2011 chips (3930k, 3820, 3960X) on Chipset X79 officially support PCIE-3.0.  Nvidia somehow didn't get the note to get their drivers certified and thus NVIDIA cards need this hack for X79.

I have been running PCIE-3.0 with NO hack with 7970's since January. I got this reg hack working a couple weeks back on my 680/X79 Classy rig.

This is an Nvidia problem, not Intel.  I am sure in the future we will see this change.

Hmm... I have not heard of that one. Intel claims their 2011 socket processors only have a PCI-E 2.0 controller.
http://ark.intel.com/products/63696/Intel-Core-i7-3960X-Processor-Extreme-Edition-(15M-Cache-3_30-GHz) 

Did you reformat? Because this registry hack is not supposed to have anything to do with the drivers, it's to do with Windows 7 registry.

No reformatting.  The registry hack is straight forward (review my instructions provided on page 1).  As part of this registry hack, what you are doing in essence is modifying the portion of the registry that is in itself created when you install the graphics drivers.  All the registry does is it acts as a traffic cop and interpretor of sorts between the hardware and software with the operating system environment.  That's why when you update your graphics drivers, the registry hack is undone and PCI-E 2.0 is re-enabled.  Installing drivers essentially overwrites (and erases the registry hack) for that portion of the registry.  I hope this helps answer your question.

 
The reformatting question was implying that if he did the registry hack before installing the AMD card, it was all ready in place to show PCI-E 3.0 as soon as he installed the HD7970's. 

RainStryke

Iluv2raceit

RainStryke

Johnny_Utah

RainStryke

The only CPU that officially supports PCI-E 3.0 is the new Ivy Bridge processors. All others have to use the registry hack.

Actually, that is wrong.  All socket 2011 chips (3930k, 3820, 3960X) on Chipset X79 officially support PCIE-3.0.  Nvidia somehow didn't get the note to get their drivers certified and thus NVIDIA cards need this hack for X79.

I have been running PCIE-3.0 with NO hack with 7970's since January. I got this reg hack working a couple weeks back on my 680/X79 Classy rig.

This is an Nvidia problem, not Intel.  I am sure in the future we will see this change.

Hmm... I have not heard of that one. Intel claims their 2011 socket processors only have a PCI-E 2.0 controller.
http://ark.intel.com/products/63696/Intel-Core-i7-3960X-Processor-Extreme-Edition-(15M-Cache-3_30-GHz) 

Did you reformat? Because this registry hack is not supposed to have anything to do with the drivers, it's to do with Windows 7 registry.

No reformatting.  The registry hack is straight forward (review my instructions provided on page 1).  As part of this registry hack, what you are doing in essence is modifying the portion of the registry that is in itself created when you install the graphics drivers.  All the registry does is it acts as a traffic cop and interpretor of sorts between the hardware and software with the operating system environment.  That's why when you update your graphics drivers, the registry hack is undone and PCI-E 2.0 is re-enabled.  Installing drivers essentially overwrites (and erases the registry hack) for that portion of the registry.  I hope this helps answer your question.

The reformatting question was implying that if he did the registry hack before installing the AMD card, it was all ready in place to show PCI-E 3.0 as soon as he installed the HD7970's. 

His question was oddly worded.  Anyhoo, in his particular sitation it wouldn't matter since he is using an AMD card.  Once he installs the drivers, it would overwrite the registry hack.  He could also restore his registry from when he backed it up and effectively undo the registry hack that way too.  Either way, he'll be fine.  Of course, you already knew this