I'm about to build a new PC and I'm a bit confused about the best PCI-E setup. I'm considering an Intel i9 processor with a 790 chipset, but I noticed that the CPU has a limit of 16 PCI-E lanes. Here are my options:
1. Install an M.2 SSD using PCI-E 4.0 along with a 5070 Ti GPU utilizing all 16 lanes.
2. Use the M.2 SSD at PCI-E 5, but that would limit the 5070 Ti GPU to 8 lanes.
3. Go with the M.2 SSD on PCI-E 5 and pair it with a 5060 Ti GPU which already runs on 8 lanes.
I'd appreciate any insights on which option is the most sensible. Thanks!
2 Answers
A Gen 5.0 drive might not provide you any noticeable benefits over a Gen 4.0 or Gen 3.0 drive. If you're concerned about lane usage, you could also place the M.2 drive in a different slot, which would essentially allow you to run it at Gen 4 without issues. That's something to consider!
Why are you looking at such an ancient motherboard for a new GPU? You should really consider getting a current-gen X870E AM5 motherboard to avoid any lane issues. If you have a specific reason for sticking with Intel, it'd be great to know more about your use case!
I've been using Intel boards for years, so switching to AMD hasn't really crossed my mind. I'm not really facing any lane issues; I'm just trying to find the best setup overall. I did check AMD options, and the prices seem comparable.