What is PCI-E 3.0?

PCI-E 3.0, or Peripheral Component Interconnect Express 3.0, is a high-speed interface standard used for connecting components like graphics cards, SSDs, and network cards to a computer's motherboard. It offers a maximum bandwidth of 1 GB/s per lane in each direction, allowing for efficient data transfer. Introduced in 2010, PCI-E 3.0 is backward compatible with earlier versions, making it widely used in modern computing systems. Its enhanced speed and efficiency support demanding applications such as gaming, data processing, and high-performance computing.