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Questions about GIGABYTE products => Motherboards with Intel processors => Topic started by: Takis_M on February 24, 2018, 03:14:39 pm

Title: Gigabyte GA-Z87-D3HP. What is the version of the embedded PCI slots?
Post by: Takis_M on February 24, 2018, 03:14:39 pm
About two years ago, I opened a discussion in a thread (topic), referring to the GA-Z87-D3HP (https://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php?topic=17676.msg102237#msg102237) motherboard. In that thread, I was asking several questions, regarding the behaviour of the motherboard, related to a Digitus PCI SATA Controller.

Well, it seems that this controller becomes "a pain in the ...", since sometimes makes the whole system behaving likecrazy. Anyway, before I decide to put it in the trash can, i need to know one more information, regarding the motherboard. Specifically I want to know what version of PCI slots are embedded on it.

As we all know, the PCI bus, since its first appearance, has gone through various versions (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conventional_PCI), each new one upgrading from the previous. These are (were) - in historical series:

Spec     Year  Change summary
PCI 1.0 1992 Original issue
PCI 2.0 1993 Incorporated connector and add-in card specification
PCI 2.1 1995 Incorporated clarifications and added 66 MHz chapter
PCI 2.2 1998 Incorporated ECNs, and improved readability
PCI 2.3 2002 Incorporated ECNs, errata, and deleted 5 volt only keyed add-in cards
PCI 3.0 2004 Removed support for the 5.0 volt keyed system board connector

Since that Digitus Controller specifies that it "Complies with PCI Specification, Rev. 2.3, 32-bit, 33/66Mhz", all I need to know is if the GA-Z87-D3HP PCI slots can accept it or not.

I would really appreciate your info.

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Gigabyte GA-Z87-D3HP. What is the version of the embedded PCI slots?
Post by: shadowsports on February 25, 2018, 04:03:42 pm
PCIe standards listed for your board:

1.1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
 (The PCIEX16 slot conforms to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)
 * For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.
2.1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4)
3.2 x PCI Express x1 slots
 (PCIEX4/PCIEX1 slots conform to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)
4.2 x PCI slots

There is no spec for the PCI Bus...  Contact Gigabyte for the answer

If I had to guess, I'd say 2.0, but could be 2.3.  Ask support and you'll get your answer. 

If you are having issues with a piece of hardware repeatedly, I would consider picking something up from a different vendor.  You didn't tell us which card you have and it seems digitus makes several.  If its Marvell based, I'd try something else. 

https://www.digitus.info/en/products/computer-accessories-and-components/computer-accessories/io-cards/


Title: Re: Gigabyte GA-Z87-D3HP. What is the version of the embedded PCI slots?
Post by: Takis_M on February 25, 2018, 11:07:40 pm
PCIe standards listed for your board:

1.1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
 (The PCIEX16 slot conforms to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)
 * For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.
2.1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4)
3.2 x PCI Express x1 slots
 (PCIEX4/PCIEX1 slots conform to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)
4.2 x PCI slots

There is no spec for the PCI Bus...  Contact Gigabyte for the answer

If I had to guess, I'd say 2.0, but could be 2.3.  Ask support and you'll get your answer. 

If you are having issues with a piece of hardware repeatedly, I would consider picking something up from a different vendor.  You didn't tell us which card you have and it seems digitus makes several.  If its Marvell based, I'd try something else. 

https://www.digitus.info/en/products/computer-accessories-and-components/computer-accessories/io-cards/

Thanks for the input, mate.

Regarding the specs for the PCI-E bus slots, I knew them, they are in the manual of the motherboard.
The question was for the simple PCI bus slots. Just because - as you mention - there is no reference for them in the manual. I will follow your advice and contact Gugabyte for this. But I initially thought that perhaps someone might know the answer here, in this forum.

As far as the the card that creates problems, it is the Digitus DS-33102 4-port SATA RAID Controller (https://us.hardware.info/product/233990/digitus-ds-33102/specifications), based on Silicon Image Chipset Sil 3114 (not a Marvel one).

Thanks again.
Title: Re: Gigabyte GA-Z87-D3HP. What is the version of the embedded PCI slots?
Post by: shadowsports on February 26, 2018, 02:36:40 am
I hope someone who knows will reply, but I'm not sure it will happen before you can get an official response. 

I'm surprised a Sil Image 3114 card would give you issues.  That chip is v2.3 compliant like you said. See PCI features bottom of page 2.

Hopefully the board is as well.

http://www.semiconductorstore.com/pdf/newsite/siliconimage/SiI3114_PB.pdf