Can I use PCI Express 3.0 GFX Cards with this Motherboard?

[jemt]

PCI Express 3 kort i PCI Express 2.1 slot - performance?

Hi,

I have a computer with the following motherboard: http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=H61M-VS

I have installed an Intel Core i7 CPU, and according to the motherboard specifications (http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?cat=Specifications&Model=H61M-VS) I should be able to use a PCI Express 3.0 graphics card with this motherboard:

- 1 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot (blue @ x16 mode)
- 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slot
*PCIe Gen3 is supported on 3rd Generation of Intel® Core™ i5 and Core™ i7 CPUs.

I am not fully convinced that I will be able to take full advantage of a PCIE 3.0 Graphics Card though. According to the motherboard specs. there should be both a PCIE 2.0 AND PCIE 3.0 slot (see above), but the image clearly shows only one slot (PCIE 2.0). So I suppose I can use it for both 2.0 and 3.0 cards (?).

So my question is: If I add a PCIE 3.0 card to my motherboard, will it run in some sort of compatibility mode, allowing me to only take advantage of some of the performance? Or will it support the 3.0 card completely, providing full performance?

For reference, this i my current graphics card:
http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/GTX650DC1GD5

This is the card I consider buying:
https://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/GTX760DC2OC2GD5/

Thanks in advantage!

Kind regards
Jimmy

 

[jemt]

Oh, and this is my CPU:
Intel Core i7, i7-3770 LGA1155

I'm not sure that it is actually 3rd generation, which seems to be required to use PCIE 3.0

 

[bgunner]

Yes a PCI-e 3.0 card will work with that motherboard no problem. PCI-e 3 cards are backward compatible with 2.0 motherboards

 

[Bejusek]

Yes, you will be able to use PCIE 3.0

Your CPU is third generation (the 3 after dash indicates that i7 - 3770).
In fact your current card also uses PCIE interface 3.0 version.

However, PCIe is backward compatible. You can use card with 3.0 interface in PCIE 1.1 slot.
Fact is, that PCIE 2.0 @ x16 is enough even for the most powerful cards. Having PCIE 3.0 doesn't offer any advantage over 2.0 in single card configuration.

 

[jemt]

Thanks a million guys - super fast and accurate replies. Appreciate it