Due to a bug in SOPC® Builder, the PCI Express® Core Clock Out is always set to 125MHz.
This can cause timing failures in -7 and -8 device speed grades.
To work around this issue:
Manually edit the file pcie_compiler_0_core.v and change
altpcie_hip_pipen1b_inst.core_clk_divider = 2 to
altpcie_hip_pipen1b_inst.core_clk_divider = 4
This issue affects all versions of SOPC Builder up to and including v10.1.
This issue has been fixed in Quartus® II version 10.1SP1. Customers are advised to upgrade to this release of Quartus® II and regenerate.