What To Know
- In this blog post, we will explore the differences between these two standards and examine their impact on the performance of the GTX 970.
- For example, in a benchmark conducted by Tom’s Hardware, the GTX 970 achieved an average frame rate of 72 FPS in Battlefield 4 at 1080p with PCIe 2.
- If you are considering purchasing a GTX 970, we recommend using a motherboard with PCIe 3.
The GTX 970 is a powerful graphics card released by NVIDIA in 2014. It has been a popular choice for gamers for many years due to its excellent performance and value. However, one question that often arises is whether the GTX 970 performs better with PCI Express 2.0 or 3.0. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between these two standards and examine their impact on the performance of the GTX 970.
What is PCI Express?
PCI Express (PCIe) is a high-speed expansion bus standard that allows devices to communicate with the motherboard. It is commonly used for connecting graphics cards, sound cards, and other peripherals. PCIe comes in different versions, each with its own speed and bandwidth capabilities.
PCI Express 2.0 vs. 3.0
PCI Express 3.0 is the successor to PCIe 2.0 and offers several improvements. The most significant difference is the increased bandwidth. PCIe 3.0 has a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 985 MB/s per lane, compared to 500 MB/s per lane for PCIe 2.0. This means that PCIe 3.0 can transfer data twice as fast as PCIe 2.0.
Impact on GTX 970 Performance
The GTX 970 supports both PCIe 2.0 and 3.0. However, there is a noticeable performance difference between the two standards. In general, the GTX 970 performs better with PCIe 3.0 than with PCIe 2.0. This is because the increased bandwidth of PCIe 3.0 allows the GTX 970 to access data more quickly, resulting in improved frame rates and overall performance.
Benchmark Results
Several benchmarks have been conducted to compare the performance of the GTX 970 with PCIe 2.0 and 3.0. The results consistently show that the GTX 970 performs better with PCIe 3.0. For example, in a benchmark conducted by Tom’s Hardware, the GTX 970 achieved an average frame rate of 72 FPS in Battlefield 4 at 1080p with PCIe 2.0 and 78 FPS with PCIe 3.0.
Summary
The GTX 970 performs better with PCI Express 3.0 than with 2.0. This is because PCIe 3.0 offers a higher bandwidth, allowing the GTX 970 to access data more quickly. If you are considering purchasing a GTX 970, we recommend using a motherboard with PCIe 3.0 support to get the most out of your graphics card.
Additional Considerations
In addition to the performance differences, there are also several other factors to consider when choosing between PCIe 2.0 and 3.0:
- Compatibility: Make sure that your motherboard supports PCIe 3.0 before purchasing a PCIe 3.0 graphics card.
- Cost: PCIe 3.0 motherboards are typically more expensive than PCIe 2.0 motherboards.
- Future-proofing: PCIe 3.0 is the latest standard and is likely to be supported by future graphics cards.
Basics You Wanted To Know
Q: Is it worth upgrading to PCIe 3.0 if I have a GTX 970?
A: Yes, upgrading to PCIe 3.0 can improve the performance of your GTX 970. However, the performance gain may not be significant, especially if you are not playing games at high resolutions or with demanding graphics settings.
Q: What other factors can affect the performance of the GTX 970?
A: The performance of the GTX 970 can also be affected by the CPU, RAM, and other system components. Make sure that your system is well-balanced to get the most out of your graphics card.
Q: What is the best way to determine if my motherboard supports PCIe 3.0?
A: The best way to determine if your motherboard supports PCIe 3.0 is to consult your motherboard’s manual or visit the manufacturer’s website.
