In the relentless pursuit of faster data throughput and lower latency, the computing industry relies on a standardized backbone to connect components. For over two decades, that backbone has been the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, better known as PCI Express® (PCIe®). While the latest generations push speeds even further, stands as a pivotal milestone in computing history.
The specification defines a target channel reach. To achieve 16 GT/s without breaking backward compatibility or requiring expensive cabling, the PCI-SIG mandated that the architecture support a channel length of roughly on a standard server platform (FR4 PCB material). This ensured that motherboards did not need to be fundamentally redesigned to accommodate the new standard, although manufacturers did have to improve PCB trace isolation. pci express-R- base specification revision 4.0 version 1.0
Only after passing these can a product display the official PCIe 4.0 logo. In the relentless pursuit of faster data throughput