PCI-E x16 running at x1 on new GTX 280

[Abraxus#]

The title explains my problem really: gpu-z shows my pci slot is running at x1 when it should be x16.

I found this site (http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=522) which describes my problem exactly but 'peg force x1' is off on my motherboard and i'm not overclocking so the nb vcore is set to auto (I tried setting it manually to lower than 1.45 but no luck).
I've changed drivers also with no success.
I can't use the other slot because the bloody massive card wont fit.

I have no idea what else to do. Please help:(

[alitayyab]

OPTION #1:
go into the bios -> set to default (load defualts) -> reboot
u might have to reset ur bios by either taking the batt out or shorting the clear rtc jumper

OPTION #2:
1. reset bios (look above)
2. put pci-e freq to 101, (if this doesnt work try 90)
3. put NB volts to 1.45 (or whatever is next to minimal

[Abraxus#]

I tried setting the freq to 101 and the voltage 1.42 but it didn't work, also I put it to default in the bios , again, it didn't work.

I seem to be getting the VGA not detected beep codes a few times, then followed by the one beep (VGA detected) when it restarts sometimes. I checked that it was seated properly and it looks good, also all the pins on the bit that goes in the slot look good.

Could it be that it's a faulty card?

edit: I just put in my old card and it's working fine, I may send the 280 back.

[DansFace]

Heh I have no idea... but is GTX 280 pcie 2.0?

I know people were having problems with the 4870X2 and had to change the jumper on the card to make it pcie 1.0

[DeusGear]

Have you actually tried running any games?

[bacon12]

Agreed load the 280 up and see what it does before you rma it.

[MikeC]

The title explains my problem really: gpu-z shows my pci slot is running at x1 when it should be x16.Maybe it's a reporting problem. What does the NVIDIA driver report? Click on Help in the driver control panel then system information. What information is being reported in the "Bus" field?

[Rummy]

Reinstall your chipset drivers if you have not already.

[stevemedes]

i have this problem on my p5b deluxe, same chipset, cant set northbridge voltage higher than 1.45

[Abraxus#]

I did try it out in crysis and clear sky, both of which had performance significantly worse than my 8800gts 320. I'm disinclined to think it's a motherboard problem as my 8800 is working fine right now. It stated 'pci-e 16x @ 1x' everywhere I looked (GPU-Z, nvidia panel).

I RMA'ed it last week, i'll post back when I get the new one.

[Abraxus#]

Just got it back from the RMA today, they found no fault with it. I installed it just now and it works perfectly.

Sorry this isn't much help if your having the same problem, I googled it extensively and there seems to be no definitive solution, I just hope I stay lucky.

[Dreamingawake]

interesting. i wonder what was causing the problem. im very curios to know as its likely i'll come across this problem sometime at work.

[Abraxus#]

Nope, I didn't stay lucky, just restarted and got the three beeps plus one of VGA not detected. Then one beep when it did detect it and once in windows GPU-Z showed x16 @ x1.

I actually felt a bit sick.

Thankfully after changing a few random settings in the bios and restarting for the fifth time it was back at x16.
I had turned PCI latency time to '128', Allocate IRQ to 'no' (however I changed them back afterwards and still x16) and also turned my memory timings back to Auto (from 4,4,4,12) with all other settings to auto. However it was running at x16 before with the non-auto setting before so it all seems a bit strange.

The only vaguely logical thing I can think of is some PSU problem with strangely fluctuating power to the pci-e, as all the other cases of x16@x1 (that I have googled lately) seem to have nothing else in common; different components, oc'ed/not etc. Also my old 8800 GTS 320 works fine and the main difference as far as the whole systems is concerned is the lower power consumption.

If that is the case i'll be a bit annoyed as I bought a brand new corsair HX620 for this GTX (which incidentally has exhibited an occasional high pitch whining noise). I could try my old tagan 420W psu if it happens again but I suspect it is quite underpowered.

[Abraxus#]

Apologies for resurrecting this old thread guys. However, i've finally had enough of my crappy old card and i've decided to go for a GTX 260 216 and a PCP&C 610W PSU, despite the problems I had with the 280 and Corsair PSU (documented above).

I'm looking for opinions on what could have been the cause of my previous probs' and whether they're likely to appear if I do go for the 260.

Overall i'm mostly convinced it was a PSU problem before, as the GTX280's main difference to my 8800GTS (as far as the whole system is concerned) is increased power requirements and the GTS worked fine. It seems possible to me that there might have been a fault with some element of the rail distribution or possibly the modular cables. Also the psu made an annoying squealing noise, which was a bit suspect.

If that's not the case is there likely to be a problem with the PCI-E slot? It doesn't make much sense to me because my GTS is working fine (and always has) at 16x. Could the extra speed/demands of the GTX cards reveal a slot problem?