[ GLOSSARY DEFINITION ]
Performance
PCI Express
The high-speed bus connecting CPU to GPU, SSDs, and other components.
Also known as:
PCIe
PCI-E
PCI Express Gen 4
Full Definition & Technical Explanation
PCI Express (PCIe/PCI-E) links the CPU to GPUs, NVMe SSDs, and expansion cards. Each new generation doubles bandwidth — PCI Express 4.0, 5.0, 6.0 — and lanes (e.g., 20 lanes) set how many devices can run at full speed.
See PCI Express Version in CPU specs and Bus: PCI-E Gen 4.0 (4x) for laptop SSDs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PCI Express?
The high-speed bus connecting CPU to GPU, SSDs, and other components.
What terms are related to PCI Express?
Related Performance terms include CPU Socket, NVMe, GPU.
Related Technical Terms
CPU Socket
The physical slot a CPU plugs into; the socket determines which motherboards a CPU supports.
Performance
NVMe
Fast flash storage protocol over PCIe; much quicker than eMMC/UFS in phones and laptops.
Storage
GPU
Specialized chip for rendering, gaming, and image processing — key to gaming scores.
Performance