Intel G870 BX80623G870 User Manual

Product codes
BX80623G870
Page of 112
Interfaces
24
Datasheet, Volume 1
2.2
PCI Express* Interface
This section describes the PCI Express interface capabilities of the processor. See the 
PCI Express Base Specification for details of PCI Express.
The number of PCI Express controllers is dependent on the platform. Refer to 
 
for details.
2.2.1
PCI Express* Architecture
Compatibility with the PCI addressing model is maintained to ensure that all existing 
applications and drivers operate unchanged. 
The PCI Express configuration uses standard mechanisms as defined in the PCI 
Plug-and-Play specification. The initial recovered clock speed of 1.25 GHz results in 
2.5 Gb/s/direction that provides a 250 MB/s communications channel in each direction 
(500 MB/s total). That is close to twice the data rate of classic PCI. The fact that 
8b/10b encoding is used accounts for the 250 MB/s where quick calculations would 
imply 300 MB/s. The external graphics ports support Gen2 speed as well. At 5.0 GT/s, 
Gen 2 operation results in twice as much bandwidth per lane as compared to Gen 1 
operation. When operating with two PCIe controllers, each controller can be operating 
at either 2.5 GT/s or 5.0 GT/s.
The PCI Express architecture is specified in three layers—Transaction Layer, Data Link 
Layer, and Physical Layer. The partitioning in the component is not necessarily along 
these same boundaries. Refer to 
 for the PCI Express Layering Diagram.
PCI Express uses packets to communicate information between components. Packets 
are formed in the Transaction and Data Link Layers to carry the information from the 
transmitting component to the receiving component. As the transmitted packets flow 
through the other layers, they are extended with additional information necessary to 
Figure 2-2. PCI Express* Layering Diagram