Solved! PCI Express port help

[betacase]

Hi everyone!

I have a lenovo u330 laptop (P8600 4gb DDR3) which has the Mobil Intel GM45 Express chipset. The laptop comes with a built-in graphics chip (256 mb ati) and a PCI Express port for future upgrades.

My question is, how fast is this PCI Express port (1x, 16x, 16x 2.0?). I can't seem to find out how fast it is from searching the web or reading the documents.

Any help would be most appreciated.

 

[WR2]

It's x1 lane.

 

[betacase]

Thanks for the response! Don't think of this as questioning your answer, but do you mind providing the source of your information? Its not that I don't believe you, just I want to see what else I can learn.


Thanks again,

Beta

 

[WR2]

We know from the Ideapad U330 spec sheet
That the U330 has one available Mini PCI Express Slot. (also note the Express Card Slot also handles a PCI-e x1 device)

I know that Mini PCI Express Slot is also known as PCI Express Mini card or mPCI-e. And a quick google on those terms gives us the specs of the Mini PCI Express Slot.

 

[betacase]

Thanks WR2 for the information! If I understand correctly a 1x PCI express lane gives me about 250 mb/s of bandwidth.

The reason this is important is because I want to add either a eSATA card or USB 3.0 card for a external hard drive.

Does anyone have any recommendation which way i should go? From what I've heard is that real world results show esata as faster but usb 3.0 having more potential. Is 250 mb/s below the maximum for both?

Thanks all!

 

[WR2]

I want to add either a eSATA card or USB 3.0 card for a external hard drive

Since the PCI Express port is wholly internal (no way to run a jack to the exterior) it's not suitable for the purposes you mention.
You'll need to find a USB3 or eSata Express Card to meet that requirement. Or just stick with your current USB2 ports for your external storage.