Intel Core i5 4590 and Intel H81 Chipset

[Kevin_F]

Hello, I hope you are having a good day! I am here to ask about something concerning my PC configuration. It is a Lenovo M73 small form factor computer, but my question concerns Intel products. My CPU is a Core i5 4590 and the motherboard chipset is the Intel H81. The motherboard is rated to run at PCIe 3.0 but the chipset only supports 2.0. My CPU is capable of PCIe 3.0 as well. I have a gpu running at PCIe 2.0 capable of 3.0/4.0. Is the issue at the chipset level, software, or a CPU issue? Thank you for any help or who to properly ask.

Kevin F.

[n_scott_pearson]

The problem is in the chipset and motherboard implementation. You could use this processor in a Z87 - or perhaps even Z97 - motherboard and get better results (and likely better gfx card compatibility).
...S

[Kevin_F]

Gotcha, so there is nothing that could be done to have it properly running in PCIE3.0? The GPU does not need to use the full 16 lanes in 3.0. 

[n_scott_pearson]

Nope. The H81 chipset only supports PCIe 2.0. Now, the PCIe lanes from the processor itself - which are the lanes made available for the graphics card - are PCIe 3.0. It is unclear why this is resulting in the graphics card running at 2.0 speeds, but I would place the blame squarely in the hands of the motherboard and H81 chipset (i.e., perhaps this is a forced penalty for using the H81 chipset? IDK).
...S

[Kevin_F]

I was doing my own research and it was leading me to believe the lanes come from the CPU and the chipset is its own separate deal. I may try and see what Lenovo's end says as well.