Hi everyone,
This is my first post and hope someone can help!
I have as part of my system an Asus Crosshair Formula-V Z motherboard and a single Asus HD 7970 Platinum graphics card.
The main issue is that it seems impossible to get the graphics card to run to where it should in regards to the PCI-E lane width settings.
I have looked through multiple forums and websites to explore the problem.
In the BIOS settings, (in advanced mode) the BIOS reports the card is running at a 4x speed under 3.0 conditions; fine, but the card can support 16x.
It is also in the correct slot, with no other PCI-E cards inserted in the system.
The BIOS now runs under the latest firmware as does the graphics card. Beforehand before the BIOS flash update, the card would run at 8x max under 2.0 conditions.
I appreciate that 4x/3.0 and 8x/2.0 give the same theoretical throughput, but why is the card being limited?
I have explored every part of the BIOS to try to see if there is a setting I've overlooked and can't see it.
The recent 3DPassMark tests were "okay" but dissapointing when compaired to other systems with the same CPU and same GPU. My scores are low compaired to others with the same components. I did the full tests through from Ice Storm through to Fire Strike.
Other information about the system:
32Gb RAM (4x Crucial Ballistix running at PC-1600 speeds with the correct timings throughout).
CPU is an AMD FX-8350 Octo-Core @ 4.0GHz.
2x Samsung EVO 840 Pro 250Gb SDDs.
Windows 7 64-Bit (SP1) with all updates.
I have tried running the system with nothing but essentials plugged in and everything at stock speeds and no overclocking (even though I don't really overclock much anyway).
I appreciate too that some have said that the GPU will idle at lower settings and ramp up as necessary - no problem, but a simple test under GPU-Z still shows it won't go higher than the 4x speed even if it does swiitch from 1.1 to 2.0 through the render test.
Any help from anyone is appreciated.
I have a system I built from scratch that I'd love to finally have right, and this is just irritating to say the least!!!!
Thanks all -- Andie