PCI E x16 connector. SSD with PCI Express Interface: Overview and Testing of Five Models. What is the differences of PCI Express from PCI

When we talk about the PCI Express tire (PCI-E), then, perhaps, the first thing that allocates it among other similar solutions is effective. Thanks to this modern tire, the performance of the computer is increased, the quality of graphics is improved.

Over the years, to connect the video card to the motherboard, the PCI bus (Peripheral Component InterConnect) was used, in addition to this, it was also used to connect some other devices, such as a network and sound card.

Here's what these slots look like:

PCI-Express actually became the next PCI tire generation, offering improved functionality and performance. She uses serial connectionin which there are several lines, each of which leads to the appropriate device, i.e. Each peripheral device receives its own line, thereby increasing the overall performance of the computer.

PCI-Express supports "hot" connection, consumes less than its predecessors. The amount of energy controls the integrity of the transmitted data. In addition, it is compatible with pCI drivers - Tires. Another wonderful feature of this tire is its scalability, i.e. PCI Express Card connects and works in any slot similar or greater bandwidth. In all likelihood, this feature will ensure its use in subsequent years.

The traditional PCI slot type was good enough for the main audio / video functions. With a bus AGP, a scheme of working with multimedia data has improved, respectively, the quality of audio / video data has increased respectively. It was shortly until the moment when the achievements in the field of microarchitecture processors became more visible to demonstrate the slowness of the PCI tire, which forced the fastest and most advanced model of computers literally barely.

Characteristics and bandwidth PCI-E tire

It can be from one bidirectional line X1, to x32 (32 lines). The line functions on the principle of the point to the point. Modern versions provide much greater bandwidth compared to their predecessors. x16 can be used to connect the video card, and x1 and x2 can be used to connect conventional cards.

Here's how the X1 and PCI Express X16 slots look like:

PCI-E.
Number of X1 x2 x4 x8 x16 x3 x8 x16 x32
Band width 500 MB / s 1000 MB / s 2000 MB / s 4000 MB / s 8000 MB / s 16000 MB / s

Versions PCI-E and compatibility

When it comes to computers, any mention of versions is associated with compatibility issues. And, like any other modern technology, PCI-E is constantly developing and upgraded. The last available version of PCI Express 3.0, but the Tire development of the PCI-E version 4.0 is already being developed., Which should appear approximately in 2015 (PCI Express 2.0 is practically outdated).
Take a look at the following PCI-E compatibility table.
Versions PCI-E 3.0 2.0 1.1
Total throughput
(X16) 32 GB / s 16 GB / s 8 GB / s
Data transfer rate of 8.0 GT / s 5.0 GT / C 2.5 GT / s

The PCI-E version has no effect on the card functionality. Most distinctive feature this interface It is its direct and backward compatibility, which makes it safe and capable of synchronization with many maps, regardless of the version interface. That is, you can in the PCI-Express slot of the first version, insert the card second or third version and it will work, albeit with some loss of performance. Similarly, the third version of the PCI-E slot can be set a map of the first version of PCI-Express. Currently, all modern models of video cards from NVIDIA and AMD are compatible with such a bus.

And this is for a snack:

When it comes to any interfaces in context computer SystemsYou need to be very attentive, in order not to "run out" for incompatible interfaces for the same components within the system.

Fortunately, when it comes to the PCI-Express interface to connect a video card, there will be almost no problems with incompatibility. In this article, we will analyze this in more detail, and also talk about what this most PCI-Express is.

This high-performance protocol is used as already noted above, to connect the video card to the system. Accordingly, there is an appropriate PCI-Express slot on the motherboard, where the video adapter is installed. Previously, video cards, connected via the AGP interface, but when this interface, simply speaking: "stopped grab", PCI-E came to the rescue detailed features Which we will talk now.

Fig.2 (PCI-Express 3.0 Slots on the Motherboard)

Fig. 3. Sample slots with various quantities Lines
(As mentioned earlier, X16 is most often used)

Encyclopedic YouTube.

• 1 / 5

  In contrast to the PCI standard, a total bus with a connection parallel to multiple devices, PCI Express, in general, is a batch network with a star type topology.

  The PCI EXPRESS devices interact with each other through the wednesdays formed by switches, while each device is directly related to a point-point-point connection with a switcher.

  In addition, the PCI Express bus is supported:

  • guaranteed bandwidth (QoS);
  • power management;
  • monitoring the integrity of the transmitted data.

  The PCI Express bus is aimed at using only the local bus. Since the PCI Express software model is largely inherited from PCI, then existing systems and controllers can be finalized to use the PCI Express bus with a replacement of only physical layer, without refinement. software. High Peak PCI Express Tire Performance Allows you to use it instead of AGP tires and especially PCI and PCI-X. De facto PCI Express replaced these tires in personal computers.

  Connectors

  • MiniCard (Mini PCIE) - replacement of MINI PCI form factor. Tires are displayed on the Mini Card connector: X1 PCIE, USB 2.0 and SMBUS.
  • ExpressCard is similar to PCMCIA Form Factor. X1 PCIE and USB 2.0 tires are displayed on the ExpressCard connector, the ExpressCard cards support hot connectivity.
  • AdvancedTCA - Form factor for telecommunications equipment.
  • Mobile PCI Express Module (MXM) is an industrial form factor created for NVIDIA laptops. It is used to connect graphic accelerators.
  • PCI Express Cable Specifications allow you to bring the length of one connections to tens of meters, which makes it possible to create a computer, peripherals which are at a considerable distance.
  • StackPC is a specification for constructing enhancing computer systems. This specification describes the StackPC, FPE expansion connectors and their mutual location.

  PCI Express X1.

  Conclusions PCI Express X1
  Output №	Purpose	Output №	Purpose
  B1.	+ 12V.	A1	PRSNT1 #
  B2.	+ 12V.	A2.	+ 12V.
  B3.	+ 12V.	A3.	+ 12V.
  B4.	GND.	A4.	GND.
  B5.	SmClk.	A5.	Jtag2.
  B6.	SMDAT.	A6.	Jtag3.
  B7.	GND.	A7.	Jtag4.
  B8.	+ 3.3V.	A8.	JTAG5
  B9.	Jtag1.	A9.	+ 3.3V.
  B10	3.3V__aux	A10	3.3V.
  B11.	Wake #	A11	Perst #
  Partition
  B12.	RSVD.	A12.	Gnd_a12
  B13.	GND.	A13	REFCLK +.
  B14.	PETP0.	A14.	REFCLK-
  B15	Petn0.	A15	GND.
  B16.	GND.	A16	Perp0.
  B17.	PRSNT2 #	A17	Pern0.
  B18.	GND.	A18	GND.

  MINI PCI-E

  Mini PCI Express - PCI Express bus format for portable devices.

  For this standard, a lot of peripheral devices are available:

  Conclusions Mini PCI-E
  Output №	Purpose	Output №	Purpose
  51	Reserved	52	+ 3.3V.
  49	Reserved	50	GND.
  47	Reserved	48	+ 1.5V.
  45	Reserved	46	Led_wpan #
  43	Reserved	44	LED_WLAN #
  41	Reserved (+ 3.3V)	42	Led_wwan #
  39	Reserved (+ 3.3V)	40	GND.
  37	Reserved (GND)	38	USB_D +.
  35	GND.	36	USB_D-
  33	PETP0.	34	GND.
  31	Petn0.	32	SMB_DATA.
  29	GND.	30	SMB_CLK.
  27	GND.	28	+ 1.5V.
  25	Perp0.	26	GND.
  23	Pern0.	24	+ 3.3Vaux
  21	GND.	22	Perst #
  19	Reserved (UIM_C4)	20	W_disable #
  17	Reserved (UIM_C8)	18	GND.
  Partition
  15	GND.	16	UIM_VPP.
  13	REFCLK +.	14	UIM_RESET.
  11	REFCLK-	12	UIM_CLK.
  9	GND.	10	UIM_DATA.
  7	CLKREQ #	8	UIM_PWR.
  5	Reserved (COEX2)	6	1.5V.
  3	Reserved (COEX1)	4	GND.
  1	Wake #	2	3.3V.

  SSD Mini PCI Express

  • Power supply 3.3 B.

  Contacts SSD Mini PCI Express [ ]
  33	SATA TX +.	34	GND.
  31	SATA TX-	32	IDE_DMARQ.
  29	GND.	30	IDE_DMACK
  27	GND.	28	IDE_ioread.
  25	SATA RX +.	26	GND.
  23	SATA RX-	24	IDE_iowr.
  21	GND.	22	IDE_RESET.
  19	IDE_D7	20	IDE_D8.
  17	IDE_D6.	18	GND.
  Partition		Partition
  15	GND.	16	IDE_D9
  13	IDE_D5	14	IDE_D10.
  11	IDE_D4.	12	IDE_D11
  9	GND.	10	IDE_D12
  7	IDE_D3.	8	IDE_D13
  5	IDE_D2.	6	IDE_D14.
  3	IDE_D1	4	GND.
  1	IDE_D0.	2	IDE_D15

  ExpressCard

  ExpressCard Current Slots (November 2010) are applied to connect:

  • SSD drives drives
  • Video cards
  • Controllers 1394 / Firewire (ILINK)
  • Docking stations
  • Measuring instruments
  • Memory
  • Memory card adapters (CF, MS, SD, XD, etc.)
  • Mice
  • Network adapters
  • Parallel ports
  • PC Card / PCMCIA adapters
  • Expansion PCI
  • PCI Express extensions
  • Remote control
  • SATA controllers
  • Serial ports
  • Smartcard adapters
  • TV tuners
  • USB controllers
  • Wi-Fi wireless network adapters
  • Wireless broadband Internet adapters (3G, CDMA, EVDO, GPRS, UMTS, etc.)
  • Sound cards for homemade multimedia and professional audio interfaces.

  Protocol description

  To connect the PCI Express device, a bidirectional sequential connection of the point-to-point type, called the line (eng. Lane - strip, row); This is sharply different from PCI, in which all devices are connected to a total 32-bit parallel bidirection bus.

  Competing protocols

  In addition to PCI Express, there are still a number of high-speed standardized serial interfaces, just some of them: Hypertransport, InfiniBand, Rapidio, and Starfabric. Each interface has its supporters among industrial companies, as significant amounts have already been given to the development of protocol specifications, and each consortium seeks to emphasize the benefits of its interface over others.

  A standardized high-speed interface, on the one hand, must have flexibility and expansion, and on the other hand, there should be a low delay time and low overhead (that is, the share of the package's service information should not be high). In essence, differences between interfaces are concluded in the selected developers of a particular interface compromise between these two conflicting requirements.

  For example, additional service route information in the package allows you to organize complex and flexible package routing, but increases the overhead of the package processing, the interface bandwidth is also reduced, the software is complicated, which initializes and configures devices connected to the interface. If you need to ensure hot device connection, special software is needed, which would track the change in the network topology. Examples of interfaces that are adapted for this are Rapidio, InfiniBand and Starfabric.

  At the same time, shortening packets, you can reduce the delay in data transmission, which is an important requirement for the memory interface. But the small package size leads to the fact that the share of service package fields increases, which reduces the effective interface bandwidth. An example of an interface of this type is Hypertransport.

  PCI Express position - between the described approaches, since the PCI Express bus is designed to work as a local bus, rather than the tire processor-memory or a complex routing network. In addition, PCI Express was originally conceived as a tire, logically compatible with the PCI bus, which also made its limitations.

  In the spring of 1991, Intel completes the development of the first Macata version of the PCI bus. In front of the engineers was tasked to develop an inexpensive and productive solution, which would allow to implement the possibilities of processors 486, Pentium and Pentium Pro. In addition, it was necessary to take into account errors made by VESA when designing a VLB bus (electrical load did not allow to connect more than 3 extension boards), as well as implement automatic setting devices.

  In 1992, the first version of the PCI bus, Intel declares that the tire standard will be open, and creates a PCI Special Interest GROUP. Thanks to this, any interested developer gets the ability to create devices for the PCI bus without the need to purchase a license. The first version of the tire had a clock frequency of 33 MHz, could be 32- or 64-bit, and the devices could operate with signals in 5 V or 3.3 V. Theoretically bandwidth of the tire 133 MB / s, but in reality the bandwidth was about 80 MB / s.

  Main characteristics:

  
  
  • tire frequency - 33.33 or 66.66 MHz, synchronous transmission;
  • tire bit - 32 or 64 bits, the multiplexed bus (address and data are transmitted by the same lines);
  • peak bandwidth for a 32-bit variant operating at a frequency of 33.33 MHz - 133 MB / s;
  • address space memory space - 32 bits (4 bytes);
  • address space of I / O ports - 32 bits (4 bytes);
  • configuration address space (for one function) - 256 bytes;
  • voltage - 3.3 or 5 V.

  Photo connectors:

  Minipci - 124 Pin
  MiniPCI Express Minisata / MSATA - 52 PIN
  Apple MBA SSD, 2012
  Apple SSD, 2012
  Apple PCIE SSD.
  MXM, Graphics Card, 230/232 Pin
  MXM2 NGIFF 75 PINS Key A PCIE X2 KEY B PCIE X4 SATA SMBUS
  MXM3, Graphics Card, 314 PIN
  PCI 5V.
  PCI Universal
  PCI-X 5V
  Agp Universal
  AGP 3.3 V.
  AGP 3.3 V + ADS POWER
  PCIE X1.
  PCIE X16.
  Custom PCIe
  ISA 8bit.
  ISA 16bit.
  eISA.
  Vesa.
  Nubus.
  PDS.
  PDS.
  Apple II / GS Expasion Slot
  PC / XT / AT Expasion Bus 8 Bit
  ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) - 16 Bit
  eISA.
  MBA - Micro Bus Architecture 16 Bit
  MBA - Micro Bus Architecture with Video 16 Bit
  MBA - Micro Bus Architecture 32 Bit
  MBA - Micro Bus Architecture with Video 32 Bit
  ISA 16 + VLB (VESA)
  Processor Direct Slot PDS
  601 PROSESSOR DIRECT SLOT PDS
  LC Processor Direct Slot Perch
  Nubus.
  PCI (PERIPHERAL COMPUTER INTERCONNECT) - 5V
  PCI 3.3V.
  CNR (Communications / Network Riser)
  AUDIO / MODEM RISER)
  ACR (Advanced Communication Riser)
  PCI-X (peripheral PCI) 3.3V
  PCI-X 5V
  PCI 5V + RAID OPTION - ARO
  AGP 3.3V.
  AGP 1.5V.
  Agp Universal
  AGP Pro 1.5V.
  AGP Pro 1.5V + ADC Power
  PCIE (Peripheral Component InterConnect Express) x1
  PCIE X4.
  PCIE X8.
  PCIE X16.

  PCI 2.0.

  The first version of the basic standard, which was widespread, was used both cards and slots with signal voltage only 5 volts. Peak bandwidth - 133 MB / s.

  PCI 2.1 - 3.0

  Different from version 2.0 the possibility of simultaneous operation of several tire deposits (eng. Bus-master, etc. Competitive mode), as well as the appearance of universal expansion cards capable of working in both slots using voltage 5 volts and in slots using 3 , 3 volts (with a frequency of 33 and 66 MHz, respectively). Peak bandwidth for 33 MHz - 133 MB / s, and for 66 MHz - 266 MB / s.

  • Version 2.1 - Work with cards designed for a voltage of 3.3 volts, and the presence of appropriate power lines were optional.
  • Version 2.2 - The extension cards made in accordance with these standards have a universal key of power connector and are able to work in many later varieties of PCI tire slots, as well as in some cases, and in Slots version 2.1.
  • Version 2.3 is incompatible with PCI cards designed to use 5 volts, despite the ongoing use of 32-bit slots with a 5-volt key. Expansion cards have a universal connector, but are not capable of working in 5-volt surveillance slots (up to 2.1 inclusive).
  • Version 3.0 - Completes the transition to PCI 3,3 volts cards, PCI 5 volts are no longer supported.

  PCI 64.

  Expansion of the PCI basic standard, which appeared in version 2.1, double the number of data lines, and, therefore, bandwidth. The PCI 64 slot is an elongated version of the usual PCI slot. Formally, the compatibility of 32-bit cards with 64-bit slots (provided that there is a total supported signal voltage) full, and the compatibility of a 64-bit card with 32-bit slots is limited (in any case, performance loss will occur). Works for clock frequency 33 MHz. Peak bandwidth - 266 MB / s.

  • Version 1 - uses the PCI 64-bit slot and 5 volt voltage.
  • Version 2 - uses a 64-bit PCI slot and a voltage of 3.3 volts.

  PCI 66.

  The PCI 66 version is operating on a clock frequency of 66 MHz by the development of PCI 64; uses a voltage of 3.3 volts in a slot; Maps have a universal or form factor by 3.3 V. Peak bandwidth - 533 MB / s.

  PCI 64/66.

  The PCI 64 and PCI 66 combination allows you to double the rate of data transmission quadruple compared to the PCI basic standard; Uses 64-bit 3.3-volt slots compatible with universal, and 3.3-volt 32-bit expansion cards. The PCI64 / 66 standards cards have either universal (but having limited compatibility with 32-bit slots), or a 3.3-volt form factor (the last option is not fundamentally compatible with 32-bit 33 megahertz slots of popular standards). Peak bandwidth - 533 MB / s.

  PCI-X.

  PCI-X 1.0 - PCI64 bus expansion with the addition of two new frequencies of work, 100 and 133 MHz, as well as a mechanism of separate transactions to improve performance while simultaneously operating multiple devices. As a rule, back compatible with all 3.3B and universal PCI cards. PCI-X cards are usually performed in a 64-bit 3.3 in format and have limited backward compatibility with PCI64 / 66 slots, and some PCI-X cards in universal format And they can work (although practical value almost does not have) in the usual PCI 2.2 / 2.3. In difficult cases, in order to be fully confident in the performance of a combination of motherboard and extension cards, you need to see the Compatibility Tables (Compatibility Lists) of the manufacturers of both devices.

  PCI-X 2.0

  PCI-X 2.0 - Further expansion of PCI-x 1.0 capabilities; The frequencies of 266 and 533 MHz are added, as well as - correction of reference errors during data transmission (ECC). Allows for splitting on 4 independent 16-bit tires, which is used exclusively in embedded and industrial systems; The signal voltage is reduced to 1.5 V, but the backward compatibility of the connector with all maps is preserved, using a signal voltage of 3.3 V. Currently, for not a professional segment of high-performance computers market (powerful workstations and entry-level servers), in which the application finds Tire PCI-X, produced extremely few motherboards with tire support. An example of a motherboard for such a segment is ASUS P5K WS. The professional segment is used in RAID controllers, in SSD drives under PCI-E.

  Mini PCI

  PCI 2.2 Form Factor, intended for use, mainly in laptops.

  PCI EXPRESS.

  PCI Express, or PCIE, or PCI-E (also known as 3GIO for 3RD Generation I / O; not to be confused with PCI-X and PXI) - computer tire (Although at the physical level, the tire is not, being a connection type "point-point"), using software model PCI tires and high-performance physical protocol based on sequential data transmission. The development of the PCI Express standard was started intel After refusing the InfiniBand tire. Officially, the first basic PCI Express specification appeared in July 2002. The PCI Express standard is engaged in the PCI Special Interest Group.

  Unlike the PCI standard, which has used a total bus with a connection parallel to multiple devices, PCI Express, in general, is a batch network with topology type Star. The PCI EXPRESS devices interact with each other through the wednesdays formed by switches, while each device is directly related to a point-point-point connection with a switcher. In addition, the PCI Express bus is supported:
  

  • hot card replacement;
  • guaranteed bandwidth (QoS);
  • power management;
  • monitoring the integrity of the transmitted data.

  The PCI Express bus is aimed at using only the local bus. Since the PCI Express software model is largely inherited from PCI, then existing systems and controllers can be finalized to use the PCI Express bus with a replacement of only the physical level, without refineing software. High Peak PCI Express Tire Performance Allows you to use it instead of AGP tires and especially PCI and PCI-X. De facto PCI Express replaced these tires in personal computers.

  • MiniCard (Mini PCIE) - Replacement mINI form factor PCI. Tires are displayed on the Mini Card connector: X1 PCIE, 2.0 and SMBUS.
    • M.2 is the second version of Mini PCIE, to X4 PCIE and SATA.
  • ExpressCard is similar to PCMCIA Form Factor. X1 PCIE and USB 2.0 tires are displayed on the ExpressCard connector, the ExpressCard cards support hot connectivity.
  • AdvancedTCA, Microtca - Form factor for modular telecommunication equipment.
    
  • Mobile PCI Express Module (MXM) is an industrial form factor created for NVIDIA laptops. It is used to connect graphic accelerators.
  • PCI Express Cable Specifications allow you to bring the length of one connection to tens of meters, which makes it possible to create a computer whose peripherals are at a considerable distance.
    
  • StackPC is a specification for constructing enhancing computer systems. This specification describes the StackPC, FPE expansion connectors and their mutual location.

  Despite the fact that the standard allows X32 lines to the port, such solutions are physically sufficiently plumbing and not produced.

  Year release	Version PCI EXPRESS.	Coding	Speed shows	Capacity on X Lines
  				× 1.	× 2.	× 4.	× 8.	× 16.
  2002	1.0	8b / 10b.	2.5 GT / s	2	4	8	16	32
  2007	2.0	8b / 10b.	5 Gt / s	4	8	16	32	64
  2010	3.0	128B / 130B.	8 GT / s	~7,877	~15,754	~31,508	~63,015	~126,031
  2017	4.0	128B / 130B.	16 GT / C	~15,754	~31,508	~63,015	~126,031	~252,062
  2019	5.0	128B / 130B.	32 GT / s	~32	~64	~128	~256	~512

  PCI Express 2.0

  The PCI-SIG group released the PCI Express specification on January 2, 2007. Basic innovations in PCI Express 2.0:

  • Increased bandwidth: PSP of one line 500 MB / s, or 5 GT / s ( Gigatrazaccia / S.).
  • Improvements are made to the transfer protocol between devices and the software model.
  • Dynamic speed control (to control the speed of communication).
  • Bandwidth notification (for alerts on changes in the speed and width of the tire).
  • Access Control Services - optional point-to-point transaction transaction capabilities.
  • Manage the execution timeout.
  • Reset at the function level is an optional mechanism for resetting functions (eng. PCI FUNCTIONS) inside the device (eng. PCI Device).
  • Overriding the capacity limit (to override the slot power limit when connecting devices that consume greater power).

  PCI EXPRESS 2.0 is fully compatible with PCI Express 1.1 (old will work in system Plastepsah with new connectors, but only at a speed of 2.5 Gt / s, since old chipsets cannot support the double data transfer rate; New video adapters will work without any problems in the old PCI EXPRESS 1.x standard connectors).

  PCI EXPRESS 2.1.

  According to physical characteristics (speed, connector) corresponds to 2.0, the functions are added to the program part that fully plan to implement in version 3.0. Since most system boards are sold with version 2.0, the presence of only a video card with 2.1 does not allow mode 2.1.

  PCI Express 3.0

  In November 2010, the specification of the PCI Express 3.0 version was approved. The interface has 8 GT / S data transfer rate ( Gigatrazaccia / S.). But, despite this, his real bandwidth was still increased by twice as compared with the PCI Express 2.0 standard. This was achieved thanks to a more aggressive encoding scheme 128B / 130B, when 128 data bits sent over the bus are encoded by 130 bits. At the same time, complete compatibility is preserved previous versions PCI Express. PCI Express 1.x and 2.x cards will work in the 3.0 connector and, on the contrary, the PCI Express 3.0 card will work in 1.x and 2.x connectors.

  PCI Express 4.0.

  PCI Special Interest Group (PCI Sig) stated that PCI Express 4.0 can be standardized until the end of 2016, but for mid-2016, when a number of chips have already prepared for manufacture, the media reported that standardization is expected at the beginning of 2017. It is expected that he is expected There will be a bandwidth of 16 GT / S, that is, it will be twice as fast as PCIe 3.0.

  Leave your comment!

  When it comes to any interfaces in the context of computer systems, you need to be very attentive, in order not to "run out" to incompatible interfaces for the same components within the system.

  Fortunately, when it comes to the PCI-Express interface to connect a video card, there will be almost no problems with incompatibility. In this article, we will analyze this in more detail, and also talk about what this most PCI-Express is.

  What is necessary PCI-Express and what is it?

  Let's start, as usual, with the most azes. Interface PCI-Express (PCI-E) - this is a means of interaction, in this context consisting of a tire controller and the corresponding slot (Fig.2) on motherboard (If we generalize).

  This high-performance protocol is used as already noted above, to connect the video card to the system. Accordingly, there is an appropriate PCI-Express slot on the motherboard, where the video adapter is installed. Previously, video cards, connected via the AGP interface, but when this interface, simply speaking, "stopped enough", PCI-E came to the rescue, about the detailed characteristics of which we will talk now.

  

  Fig.2 (PCI-Express 3.0 Slots on the Motherboard)

  The main characteristics of PCI-Express (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0)

  Despite the fact that the names of PCI and PCI-Express are very similar, the principles of connection (interaction) differ fundamentally. In the case of PCI-Express, a bidirectional sequential connection is used, the point-to-point type, lines data can be several. In the case of video cards and motherboards (do not take into account Cross Fire and SLI), which support PCI-Express X16 (i.e., most), you can easily guess that such lines 16 (Fig.3), quite often on motherboards with PCI- E 1.0, it was possible to observe the second slot X8, to work in SLI or Cross Fire mode.

  Well, in PCI, the device is connected to a total 32-bit parallel bus.

  

  Fig. 3. Sample slots with different number of lines

  (As mentioned earlier, X16 is most often used)

  
  

  For the interface, the bandwidth is 2.5 Gb / c. These data are needed to us to track changes in this parameter in various versions of PCI-E.

  Further, version 1.0 evolved in PCI-E 2.0. As a result of this transformation, we received two times a large bandwidth, that is, 5 Gbps, but I would like to note that in performance graphics adapters did not really won, as it is just a version of the interface. Most of the performance depends on the video card itself, the version of the interface can only slightly improve or inhibit the data transfer (in this case, "braking" is not, and there is a good stock).

  In the same way in 2010, with a margin, an interface was developed PCI-E 3.0At the moment it is used in all new systems, but if you are still 1.0 or 2.0, then do not flaruse - we will talk about relatively backward compatibility of various versions.

  In the PCI-E 3.0 version, the bandwidth was increased twice as compared with version 2.0. There was also a lot of technical changes.

  By 2015, it is expected to appear PCI-E 4.0That for the dynamic IT industry is absolutely no wonder.

  Well, okay, we will end with these versions and numbers of bandwidth, and we will affect the very important question of the backward compatibility of various versions of PCI-Express.

  Backup compatibility of Versions PCI-Express 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0

  This question worries many, especially when select video card For the current system. Since I am satisfied with the motherboard system, which supports PCI-Express 1.0, doubts arise whether the video card will work correctly with PCI-Express 2.0 or 3.0? Yes, it will, at least so promise developers who provided this compatibility. The only thing that the video card will not be able to fully disclose in all its glory, but the loss of performance, in most cases, will be insignificant.

  
  

  With accuracy, on the contrary, you can quietly install video cards with PCI-E 1.0 interface, in motherboards that support PCI-E 3.0 or 2.0, there is nothing limited at all, so be calm about compatibility. Unless, of course, with other factors, everything is in order, such a powerful power supply unit can be attributed to such.

  In general, we talked quite in detail with respect to PCI-Express, which will allow you to get rid of many ambiguities and doubts about compatibility and understanding differences in PCI-E versions.