7

Is it possible to run a test on an empty PCI Express slot to definitively determine that the slot is PCI Express 2.0 or not? My reason for asking is to see if I get the most out of USB3.0 with my motherboard.

I cannot find specific enough details of the specs of my motherboard, even from the manufacturer's site.

I've avoided giving the details here because I'm looking for a generic test, and would not want anecdotal advice - unless it can definitely be backed up with facts or a test.

Update

Accepting @Breakthrough's answer for HWiNFO32. Screenshot is actually conclusive (correcting my initial findings) - I have PCI Express 1.0 - it states that explicitly. This makes sense to me given that the motherboard is about 3 years+ old. Screenshot of HWiNFO32 showing the version of the PCI slot:

Screenshot of HWiNFO32 showing the version of the PCI slot

The other tool, System Information for Windows (SiW) that @KCotreau suggested stated the PCI Express bus characteristics i.e. voltage (3.3v in my case) and bus width (32bits in my case) but not explictly the bus version (as HWiNFO does) - i.e. whether or not it was 1.0 or 2.0 etc. But from those characteristics perhaps one could infer which version.

Also, during the install of the System Information for Windows (SiW) program, I got a warning about AdWare attempted install, blocked by MalwareBytes Anti-Malware. See screenshot here:

Adware install attempt during System Information for Windows program install, blocked by MalwareBytes Anti-Malware

I selected Quarantine to be able to proceed with the installation. It could be a false alarm; Norton reports no issue with the original System Information for Windows (SiW) program installer file using Norton's Insight Scan.

Update on Adware - Probably OK, no concerns:

I would be inclined to think that this reported AdWare with the SiW software free version is harmless. To quote the website:

SIW (System Information for Windows) does not contain any form of malware, including but not limited to: adware*, spyware, popups, viruses, Trojans and backdoors.

The reason given for these is:

It is a way to recover software development costs using advertisement. On the other hand, InstallMonetizer does not demonstrate the negative characteristics commonly associated with adware

The so-called view once AdWare are:

  1. http://www.gtopala.com/other/installmonetizer.php
  2. http://www.gtopala.com/other/opencandy.php

The 2 pieces of so called AdWare only become apparent during the install process and not thereafter (i.e they advertise other programs during the install process and not after that). Quoting the website:

Advertisement is only shown as one step of software installation. Once software (SIW) is installed, you do not receive any more advertisements.

Also, quoting the website:

No unwanted software is installed. User has to explicitly choose to install promoted software to actually receive it. No private information are collected. Installation program collects only information necessary to choose relevant advertisement to be displayed, such as geo-location, operating system and language.

I think I can live with that. Moving on...

System Information for Windows generally looks useful and comprehensive - there are a lot of categories. See screenshot:

System Information for Windows (SiW) running

But HWiNFO32 explictly reports the bus version on the vacant slot (my original answer) so it is the accepted answer.

I've upvoted everyone for their time as there are some useful tools suggested for other things too. Thanks.

Improve this question
3
  • 3
    If you're on Windows, you can try HWiNFO (32/64)... Oh, and it's free :)
    – Breakthrough
    Commented Jul 18, 2011 at 15:49
  • If you'd supplied as an answer I would have +1'd you there which earns more reps than +1 on a comment i think.
    – therobyouknow
    Commented Jul 18, 2011 at 23:17
  • +1 @Breakthrough - this comment would be the accepted answer. I've created this on your behalf but if you write your comment as an answer I will move the 'tick'/'check' accepted answer to yours.
    – therobyouknow
    Commented Dec 4, 2011 at 10:50

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
4

Use "System Information for Windows":

http://www.gtopala.com/

One of the best tools I have ever used.

Improve this answer
5
  • +1 Nice tool but I couldn't see anywhere in the tool screenshots that explicitly says PCI Express 2.0 or PCI Express 1.0. It does say PCI Express but no version number, one could assume the earlier version but who knows?
    – therobyouknow
    Commented Jul 18, 2011 at 23:18
  • 1
    @Rob Did you run it or just look at screen shots? If you ran it, did you click on System slots? It clearly shows mine under "Data Bus Width". I also always save it as a web page. It makes it easier to navigate, imo.
    – KCotreau
    Commented Jul 18, 2011 at 23:25
  • +1 Yes, screenshots. I would have to pay (which is OK) before I can run the tool. There isn't a demo version, is there? Unless I'm mistaken.
    – therobyouknow
    Commented Jul 19, 2011 at 0:13
  • @Rob No Rob, it is free for personal use. If you are on a domain (corporate environment), it will bark at you, but you can still see the info if you look quickly. gtopala.com/siw-download.html (see bottom, freeware version).
    – KCotreau
    Commented Jul 19, 2011 at 0:17
  • As of 8/14/2013, SIW does not offer a free version anymore.
    – FarFigNewton
    Commented Aug 14, 2013 at 15:12
4

Accepting @Breakthrough's answer for HWiNFO32. Screenshot is actually conclusive (correcting my initial findings) - I have PCI Express 1.0 - it states that explicitly. This makes sense to me given that the motherboard is about 3 years+ old. Screenshot of HWiNFO32 showing the version of the PCI slot:

Screenshot of HWiNFO32 showing the version of the PCI slot

@Breakthrough - your comment above would be the accepted answer. I've created this on your behalf but if you write your comment as an answer I will move the 'tick'/'check' accepted answer to yours and also +1 it :)

Improve this answer
1
  • I'm trying with the latest version of HWiNFO and the line for 'PCI Express Version Supported' is not appearing for me. Do you have an old version where that line is reported by any chance? Or do you know how to find this information at present?
    – mickael
    Commented Mar 6, 2017 at 5:18
2

I would also suggest GPU-Z. The name and interface are very similar to CPU-Z, but it's optimized specifically for video card info. PCI Express version is shown in the "Bus Interface" box in the main tab.

GPU-Z screenshot

Improve this answer
0

Have you tried using CPU-Z? I feel it gives a lot of detailed hardware information for Windows based operating systems

link

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    +1 but CPU-Z (I'm using version 1.58) does not report the explicit PCI bus version e.g. 1.0 or 2.0 etc. Thanks though :) A useful tool for other things.
    – therobyouknow
    Commented Dec 4, 2011 at 10:49

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .