How to change from x16 to x8 GPU to free up lanes

[hobib_ali]

Hi Guys

I have a build where its got a Intel Core i9-12900KF, its basically a 20 Lane CPU

On my motherboard I have 2 PCIe slots, when I place my GPU in, it takes up x16 lanes

However I have a network card that requires x8 lanes, so thats GPU 16 lanes & network card 8 lanes totals 24 lanes, so now the network card dont work.

Because I'm 4 lanes short, either one device at a time works, but both dont.

Is there a way to switch the top PCIe slot to run at x8 so I can use my network card?

I went on the BIOS and can see there a PCIe option to change from gen 4 to either gen 3 or 2, but I dont think that will change the top slot from x16 to x8

is a puzzling one.

Thank you guys

 

[hobib_ali]

What motherboard and what network card?

well its a Lenovo gaming PC, they call it a Lenovo Legion T7, these have propriety motherboards, not like the ones we buy, HW info shows is as Lenovo 3750, but that dont mean anything

The network card is a Intel X540 T2 x8 ethernet card

I went in to the Bios and even that is very plain and simple, not many options, I went to the bios to change the PCIe slots from x16 to x8 so I can use both devices

But all I see is changing the PCIe option from Gen 5 to Gen 4 or 3, did change it but my network card not still not detected, i think the gen stuff is reducing pcie the bandwidth, and not the lanes.

20 lanes for an i9 chip is way too low, considering 16 being eaten by GPU's

 

[hobib_ali]

Have you tried the network card in the top slot, with the graphics card in the bottom slot?

Likely as mentioned above the bottom slot is only 4x, so you will get a performance hit, but at least your NIC should work

Ive actually tried in both slots with the card and device manager doesn't even see it, no lights on the nework card

I did install the network card in my personal build and if fully worked, sparked dup immediately.

Like the guys above have stated above, I reckon its wired to the chipset hence why the NIC dont work

20 lanes for an i9 is tight when a GPU eats up 16 of them.

 

[hobib_ali]

You have to remember most of the modern "i9"s is still on Intel's "midrange" platform, where users are on a tighter budget and don't need that many lanes. The only reason why it's become so "high end" in terms of CPU performance is thanks to competition from AMD, which is why there's been no proper LGA2066 successor yet (and also AMD's Threadripper line). If you need a lot of PCIe lanes unfortunately it's a bad time as there's nothing new from both sides.

Yep, ive been waiting for a LGA2066 successor, Ive had mine since 2018, still an excellent chipset but its overdue, also theres no hint from intel if there gonna do anything soon.