What is an Expansion Slot?

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Expansion slots are long narrow sockets in a computer into which an expansion card can be inserted. Nearly all personal computers except portables contain expansion slots for adding more memory, graphics capabilities, and support for special devices.

They are located at the back of the computer, they allow more ports to be add to the computer.

Types of expansion slots are:
ISA
ISA were the first standard for PCs, there are an old technology.
PCI
Peripheral Controller Interface these operate at either 33 or 66 MHz and 64 bits. This utilizes parallel technology. In simpler terms, it is used as an audio or video interface used to make your computer function with more worthwhile options.
PCI-X
This is the latest version of PCI technology operating at 66 MHZ and 64 bits. This also utilizes parallel technology.
PCI Express
This had fewer channels for data but it was much faster than AGP technology. It was cheaper to design and build. This type of slot was much more upgradeable/expandable. It was also serial technology.
AGP
This was a designated slot reserved for graphics cards. It was utilized in a motherboard that would be used in a PC that required high-end graphics processing abilities.
AGP Pro
Used for Mac’s that requires high re-draw capabilities. A good example would be a PC running AutoCAD. Some slots required up to 110W of dedicated power, this would be delivered using a power supply with its own MOLEX.
This had fewer channels for data but it was much faster than AGP technology. It was cheaper to design and build. This type of slot was much more upgradeable/expandable. It was also serial technology.

Related Posts:

What is the difference between PCMCIA and ExpressCard?

ExpressCard is the hardware standard replacing PMCIA type II cards. ExpressCards are considered better than PCMCIA cards because they are faster.

What is ExpressCard?

An ExpressCard is an interface to allow peripheral devices to be connected to a computer, usually a laptop computer. ExpressCards is a hardware standard replacing PC cards or PCMCIA cards.

What is CardBus?

CardBus is the latest enhancement to the PCMCIA 5.0 or later. PMCIA stands for Asociación Internacional de Tarjetas de Memoria. CardBus was introduced in 1995 and present in laptops from late 1997 onward. The main purpose of CardBus was to extend the existing PCMCIA bus to allow more powerful devices, and also provide support for 32 Bit I/O.

What is PCMCIA?

PCMCIA is the short for Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. It is pronounced as separate letters. PCMCIA is also known as PC Card.

PCMCIA was originally designed for adding memory to portable computers, the PCMCIA standard has been expanded several times and is now suitable for many types of devices

What is the difference between AGP and PCI?

The primary advantage of AGP over PCI is that it provides a dedicated pathway between the slot and the processor rather than sharing the PCI bus. In addition to a lack of contention for the bus, the point-to-point connection allows for higher clock speeds.

What is the Difference between PCI, PCI-X, and PCI-e?

PCI-X is the upgraded version of PCI. It differs mainly in the fact that the PCI-X bus is 64-bits wide, and runs at higher frequencies of up to 533MHz, compared to PCI frequency that runs up to 66MHz.

What is PCI Express?

PCI Express stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express. It is also known as PCIe.

What is AGP Pro?

AGP Pro was launched in 1998 as an AGP interface extension specification for advanced workstations. AGP Pro bus is a specification that provides a direct connection between the graphics adapter and memory.

What is AGP?

AGP is the short for Accelerated Graphics Port. It was designed in 1997 as a successor to PCI type connections.

What is PCI-X?

PCI-X is the short for PCI-eXtended. It was developed in 1998.

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