Choosing the best hardware component for your desktop is always the topmost priority. By monitoring the specifications of these components, users get a basic idea of their performance. To make the motherboard and processor future-proof, certain features are given importance too. The total number of PCIe lanes on the motherboard and processor is one such feature.
The PCIe slots serve the basic purpose of connecting additional components and GPUs with the system. The PCIe lanes are important since they allow the connected component to run at its maximum potential. Brands like Ryzen have always focused on improving the computing experience by upgrading their components. This article will try to learn about PCIe lanes adopted on Ryzen products.
PCIe And PCIe Lanes
PCIe, a peripheral component interconnect express, is a popular interface to connect external components. PCIe is a standard interface for motherboards, processors, and other components like storage drives, GPUs, etc. There are several generations of PCIe interfaces, each with better speed than the previous one. Users can select a better generation of PCIe slots to connect faster drives or GPUs.
These lanes offer connectivity between PCIe-enabled components. These lanes can transfer data at higher speeds to increase data handling between components. Therefore, the processor’s overall bandwidth increases with the number of lanes. The effect of these lanes can also be seen during demanding processes like rendering via multiple GPU setups.
Number of PCIe Lanes on Ryzen Processors
While buying a processor for your system, you might have come across the terms like x4, x16, etc PCIe lanes. The number denotes the total number of data links or lanes present on the PCIe end. The number of lanes is considered important when selecting the processor since they govern the data handling speed.
Speaking about Ryzen processors, each generation of CPU has a different architecture and PCIe lane numbers. We have compiled a detailed table of the Ryzen processors, their PCIe generations, and the total number of PCIe lanes they have. This information will help you understand how the number of lanes have improved over the years for Ryzen processors.
| Processor Series | Processor | PCIe Version | Total Number of PCIe Lanes |
| 1000 | Ryzen 3 – 1300X | 3.0 | 16 |
| Ryzen 5 – Pro 1600 | 3.0 | 16 | |
| Ryzen 7 – Pro 1700X | 3.0 | 16 | |
| 2000 | Ryzen 3-2300X | 3.0 | 16 |
| Ryzen 5-1600(af)] | 3.0 | 16 | |
| Ryzen 7-2700E | 3.0 | 16 | |
| 3000 | Ryzen 3-3300X | 4.0 | 24 |
| Ryzen 5-3500 | 4.0 | 24 | |
| Ryzen 7-3800XT | 4.0 | 24 | |
| Ryzen 9-3950X | 4.0 | 24 | |
| 4000 | Ryzen 3-4300G | 3.0 | 12 |
| Ryzen 5-4600G | 3.0 | 12 | |
| Ryzen 7-4700G | 3.0 | 12 | |
| 5000 | Ryzen 5-5600X3D | 4.0 | 24 |
| Ryzen 7-5800X3D | 4.0 | 24 | |
| Ryzen 9-PRO5945 | 4.0 | 24 | |
| 6000 | Ryzen 5-6600H | 4.0 | 16 |
| Ryzen 7-6800H | 4.0 | 16 | |
| Ryzen 9-6900HX | 4.0 | 16 | |
| 7000 | Ryzen 3-7440U | 4.0 | 14 |
| Ryzen 5-7640HS | 4.0 | 20 | |
| Ryzen 7-7840HS | 4.0 | 20 | |
| Ryzen 9-7940HS | 4.0 | 20 |
AMD Ryzen Vs Intel Core CPU PCIe Lanes
When it comes to comparison between AMD and Intel processors, the number of PCIe lanes is more on AMD units. Both brands enjoy healthy competition in the processor segments. Intel and AMD have redesigned the number of lanes with each generation of their processors. We must know that not all these lanes are committed to the CPU. Some lanes are dedicated to expansion cards for GPU or storage drives.
Intel’s older 10th-generation processor had 16 lanes which were later increased to 20 for the 11th-generation units. Amongst the 20 lanes, 4 lanes are reserved for M.2 slots while 16 lanes are dedicated to CPU. Similarly, the AMD Ryzen processors offer 24 lanes, where 4 for M.2 slots, 4 for the motherboard, and the remaining 16 lanes are reserved for PCIe slots. This allocation of lanes in AMD Ryzen processors gives them an upper hand in high-end segments against Intel Core units.
Ryzen PCIe Lanes – FAQs
Ans: Speaking of AM4, it features a total of 20 PCIe lanes. These lanes are further divided for dedicated slots. Most lanes (over 16 lanes) are allotted for PCIE slots. The remaining 4 lanes are reserved for connecting the chipset.
Ans: The AMD 5 5600 features a total of 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes. 4 of these lanes are reserved for linking the chipset. The remaining 20 lanes are utilized for PCIe slots and other types of applications. A higher number of PCIe lanes enhances the speed of these processors.
Ans: The AMD 7 5700 features 24 PCIe lanes of 4.0 generation. Based on the latest Zen 3 architecture, this processor offers 20 lanes for PCIe slots and other applications. The remaining 4 lanes are kept reserved as links for the motherboard chipset.
Ans: The Ryzen 9 processors feature 20 lanes, amongst which 4 lanes are permanently reserved for the motherboard. These lanes are, therefore, not usable, and users might see only 16 lanes available. This type of allocation is to keep the performance and power consumption balanced.
Conclusion
Without prior knowledge of PCIe, it is easy to get baffled by terms like the total number of a processor’s PCIe lanes. Understanding the relationship between the number of lanes and bandwidth, users can select the right processor with the ideal number of lanes. Since AMD offers multiple PCIe lanes in the majority of its Ryzen CPUs, we have studied each generation of these CPUs. With this information, users can understand how AMD Ryzen processors can outperform their Intel competitors.
