PCIe 4.0 vs. PCIe 5.0: Which One Do You Need?
PCI Express (PCIe) technology plays a crucial role in modern computing, enabling fast communication between your CPU, GPU, storage devices, and other peripherals. With PCIe 5.0 becoming more common in high-end PCs, many users wonder: Do I need to upgrade from PCIe 4.0, or is it enough for my needs?
In this detailed comparison of PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0, we’ll break down their differences, performance benefits, and whether an upgrade is worth it for your specific use case.
What is PCIe?
PCI Express (PCIe) is a high-speed interface standard that connects GPUs, SSDs, sound cards, network adapters, and other components to the motherboard. The standard has evolved over time, with each new generation offering double the bandwidth of its predecessor.
The two most recent versions are:
- PCIe 4.0 (introduced in 2017)
- PCIe 5.0 (introduced in 2019, but widely adopted in 2022-2023)
Let’s explore PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0 to see which is right for your build.
PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0: Key Differences
The biggest difference between PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0 is bandwidth speed, but there are also differences in compatibility, power consumption, and real-world performance.
| Feature | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2017 | 2019 |
| Bandwidth per Lane (x1) | 2 GB/s | 4 GB/s |
| Total Bandwidth (x16 Slot) | 32 GB/s | 64 GB/s |
| Supported GPUs | Most modern GPUs | Future high-end GPUs |
| Supported SSDs | Up to 7,000 MB/s | Up to 14,000 MB/s |
| Compatibility | Backward compatible | Backward compatible |
The most noticeable upgrade in PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0 is double the bandwidth: PCIe 5.0 offers up to 64 GB/s compared to PCIe 4.0’s 32 GB/s when using a full x16 lane configuration.
PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0: Gaming Performance
Do PCIe 5.0 GPUs Exist?
As of now, most GPUs still use PCIe 4.0, and the performance difference between PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0 in gaming is minimal.
Benchmarks on GPUs using PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0:
- RTX 4090 and RX 7900 XTX, two of the most powerful GPUs, show less than a 5% performance difference when using PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0.
- 1440p and 4K gaming do not utilize the extra bandwidth that PCIe 5.0 provides.
- PCIe 5.0 may become relevant in future GPUs, but right now, PCIe 4.0 is more than enough for gaming.
Verdict for Gamers
If you’re building a gaming PC today, PCIe 4.0 is sufficient. You won’t see a noticeable FPS boost by upgrading to PCIe 5.0 until future GPU generations require more bandwidth.
PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0: SSD and Storage Performance
The biggest advantage of PCIe 5.0 right now is faster SSD speeds.
PCIe 4.0 SSDs:
- Read speeds: Up to 7,000 MB/s
- Write speeds: Up to 6,500 MB/s
- Best for: Gaming, content creation, general high-speed workloads.
PCIe 5.0 SSDs:
- Read speeds: Up to 14,000 MB/s
- Write speeds: Up to 12,000 MB/s
- Best for: Data-intensive tasks, 4K/8K video editing, AI computing, and enterprise workloads.
Do You Need a PCIe 5.0 SSD?
- For gaming? Not necessary, as game load times see minimal improvement beyond PCIe 4.0.
- For professional workloads? If you work with massive datasets, 3D rendering, or AI computing, PCIe 5.0 SSDs provide a significant speed boost.
Verdict for Storage Performance
- PCIe 4.0 SSDs are more than enough for gaming and general use.
- PCIe 5.0 SSDs are useful for high-end workstations but not essential for everyday users.
PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0: Motherboard and CPU Compatibility
Before upgrading, check if your motherboard and CPU support PCIe 5.0.
Motherboards That Support PCIe 5.0
- Intel: 12th Gen (Alder Lake) and newer.
- AMD: Ryzen 7000 series and newer (X670, B650 motherboards).
Do You Need a PCIe 5.0 Motherboard?
- If you’re buying a new high-end system, a PCIe 5.0 motherboard future-proofs your build.
- If you’re using PCIe 4.0 hardware, there’s no need to upgrade just yet.
PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0: Future Proofing
When choosing between PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0, future-proofing is a key concern.
Is PCIe 4.0 Future-Proof?
- Yes, for gaming and general use, PCIe 4.0 will remain relevant for years.
- Most GPUs and SSDs today still use PCIe 4.0.
Is PCIe 5.0 Worth It?
- If you want the latest technology for ultra-fast SSDs and future GPUs, PCIe 5.0 is worth considering.
- PCIe 5.0 will become more useful in the next 3-5 years, so it’s a good investment if you're building a new high-end PC today.
PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0: Which One Do You Need?
Go for PCIe 4.0 if:
✔ You are a gamer—today’s GPUs don’t fully use PCIe 5.0.
✔ You want to save money—PCIe 4.0 SSDs and motherboards are cheaper.
✔ You have a PCIe 4.0-compatible motherboard—no need to upgrade now.
Go for PCIe 5.0 if:
✔ You need ultra-fast SSDs for video editing, AI workloads, or enterprise use.
✔ You are building a high-end PC that needs to be future-proof.
✔ You have a next-gen CPU and motherboard that supports PCIe 5.0.
Conclusion
The PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0 debate comes down to what you need today versus what might be useful in the future.
- For gaming and general users, PCIe 4.0 is still the best choice.
- For professionals and future-proofing, PCIe 5.0 offers cutting-edge speeds.
Ultimately, if you’re buying a new system, getting PCIe 5.0 ensures compatibility for years to come, but PCIe 4.0 remains a solid and cost-effective choice for most users.
If you’re building a gaming PC or upgrading storage, which one will you choose—PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 5.0? 🚀