i7-5820k vs i7-5960X PCIe lanes

JoeBecky

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Feb 25, 2015
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I already know the difference between these 2 CPUs, but I don't know what's the difference between x28 PCIe lanes which 'come' with the 5820k and the x40 PCIe lanes of the 5960X. Let's say that I bought the MSI X99S Krait edition motherboard which has 4 x16 PCIe lanes, if I bought the 5820k, I'll be able to use only x28 of them, right? What happens if I change to the 5960X or 5930k, would that allow me to use more of these lanes?
Thanks in advance, I'm new to this PCIe lanes and stuff, your answers are much appreciated.
 
Solution
Your mobo spec tells you what happens -

4 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (PCI_E1,3,5,6), support up to 3-way mode
- 1-way mode: x16/ x0/ x0/ x0
- 2-way mode: x16/ x16/ x0/ x0*, 16/ x8/ x0/ x0**
- 3-way mode: x16/ x16/ x0/ x8*, x8/ x8/ x8/ x0**

• 2x PCIe 2.0 x1 slots (PCI_E2,4)
* For the CPU that supports 40 PCIe lanes
** For the CPU that supports 28 PCIe lanes


So max 3 way SLI or XFire
Your mobo spec tells you what happens -

4 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (PCI_E1,3,5,6), support up to 3-way mode
- 1-way mode: x16/ x0/ x0/ x0
- 2-way mode: x16/ x16/ x0/ x0*, 16/ x8/ x0/ x0**
- 3-way mode: x16/ x16/ x0/ x8*, x8/ x8/ x8/ x0**

• 2x PCIe 2.0 x1 slots (PCI_E2,4)
* For the CPU that supports 40 PCIe lanes
** For the CPU that supports 28 PCIe lanes


So max 3 way SLI or XFire
 
Solution