Question Confused about PCIe 1,2 and 3

[Vagabond Koi]

Hello all
I have a Gigabyte GA-Z97x-SLI with a Zotac GTX970 4 gb 256 bit DDR5 graphiccard that the cooling fans quit working so I rigged in new fans but this is perfect excuse for new card. My confusion stems from all the cards now say 3.0x16 and for the life of me I can not see where the PCIe revision is listed on the card. Is this something I need to concern myself with? I appreciate your input Thank You
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[hotaru.hino]

No, you don't. PCIe is forwards and backwards compatible. Though keep in mind it'll only operate as fast as the slower of the card or the slot.

 

[Vagabond Koi]

Thank you for the reply I think I got it now This is copied from the specs of the MB

• 
  1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
  * For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.

• 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x8 (PCIEX8)
  * The PCIEX8 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX16 slot. When the PCIEX8 slot is populated, the PCIEX16 slot will operate at up to x8 mode.
• (The PCIEX16 and PCIEX8 slots conform to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)

• 3 x PCI Express x1 slots
  (The PCI Express x1 slots conform to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)

• 2 x PCI slots

If i am reading this correct I have PCIe3?
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