Question:

“Could you provide insight into the performance discrepancies I’m observing on my X570 motherboard? When I configure the Southbridge link speed to PCIe 4.0, the read/write speeds and access times for the second and third NVMe drives become erratic, with performance varying from 50 MB/s up to 3000/4000 MB/s. However, setting the link speed to PCIe 3.0 results in consistent full PCIe 3.0 speeds and stable access times. Is it possible that the X570 chipset encounters difficulties when PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 3.0 devices are connected simultaneously? To isolate the issue, I plan to clone the boot drive using a USB NVMe enclosure and remove the PCIe 3.0 extension card, leaving only a single PCIe 4.0 device connected to the chipset. My system configuration includes a Ryzen 9 5950X, Asus TUF Gaming Plus X570 WiFi with the latest BIOS, 64GB of Crucial Ballistix Sport memory running at 3600MHz DOCP, a Gainward RTX3080TI at PCIe 4.0, a Crucial T500 2TB NVMe, a Corsair Force MP600 1TB NVMe, and a Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB on a Raidsonic IcyBox NVMe extension card set to PCIe 3.0.”

Answer:

In the realm of high-performance computing, particularly where motherboards like the X570 are involved, users expect seamless operation and optimal speeds, especially when dealing with NVMe drives. However, a peculiar issue arises when configuring the Southbridge link speed to PCIe 4.0, leading to erratic read/write speeds and access times on secondary and tertiary NVMe drives. This variability in performance—ranging from as low as 50 MB/s to peaks of 3000/4000 MB/s—is not only perplexing but also concerning for users expecting the stability and speed promised by PCIe 4.0 standards.

Conversely, when the link speed is set to PCIe 3.0, the NVMe drives connected to the chipset exhibit full PCIe 3.0 speeds and maintain good access times. This stark contrast in performance begs the question: does the X570 chipset struggle with devices connected at mixed PCIe generations simultaneously?

The X570 chipset is designed to support PCIe 4.0, the latest standard in high-speed data transfer. However, it appears that when devices of different PCIe generations are connected—such as PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 3.0—the chipset may not manage the communication between these devices as efficiently as one would hope. This inefficiency could be due to a number of factors, including firmware bugs, hardware limitations, or even electromagnetic interference, which can be more pronounced at higher speeds and frequencies.

To isolate the issue, a methodical approach is being taken: cloning the boot drive using a USB NVMe enclosure and removing the PCIe 3.0 extension card, thus leaving only a single PCIe 4.0 device connected to the chipset. This step is crucial in determining whether the presence of mixed-generation devices is the root cause of the performance discrepancies.

The system in question boasts a robust configuration, featuring a Ryzen 9 5950X processor, Asus TUF Gaming Plus X570 WiFi motherboard with the latest BIOS update, 64GB of Crucial Ballistix Sport memory overclocked to 3600MHz DOCP, a Gainward RTX3080TI graphics card set to PCIe 4.0, and multiple NVMe drives, including a Crucial T500 2TB, a Corsair Force MP600 1TB, and a Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB on a Raidsonic IcyBox NVMe extension card set to PCIe 3.0.

The outcome of this investigation could shed light on a potential oversight in the X570’s design or firmware, and perhaps pave the way for a firmware update or a best practice guide for configuring mixed-generation devices on this chipset. For now, users experiencing similar issues are advised to monitor their system’s performance and consider similar isolation tests to pinpoint the cause of any discrepancies.

In conclusion, while the X570 chipset is a powerhouse designed to usher in the PCIe 4.0 era, it is not immune to the complexities of mixed-generation device management. Through careful testing and community feedback, solutions to these performance inconsistencies can be found, ensuring that the X570 lives up to its high-performance promise.