---
title: What is PCIe Gen3, Gen4, and Gen5?
description: Learn the differences between PCIe Gen3, Gen4, and Gen5 SSDs, including speeds, compatibility, and real-world performance benefits.
---

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August 31, 2026

# What is PCIe Gen3, Gen4, and Gen5?

PCI Express (PCIe) generations determine the maximum communication bandwidth available between an NVMe SSD and the computer.

Each generation approximately doubles the throughput of the previous generation.

Typical maximum sequential read performance:

| Generation | Typical Maximum Read Speed |
| --- | --- |
| PCIe Gen3 x4 | Up to ~3,500 MB/s |
| PCIe Gen4 x4 | Up to ~7,000 MB/s |
| PCIe Gen5 x4 | Up to ~14,000 MB/s |

Higher PCIe generations can improve large file transfers, content creation workflows, virtualization, software development, and other high-performance storage applications. 

**Important**

PCIe generations are generally backward compatible. A Gen4 SSD will typically operate in a Gen3 slot, and a Gen5 SSD will typically operate in a Gen4 slot. However, performance is always limited to the highest generation supported by both the SSD and the host system.

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