What is conventional PCI?

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PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect. PCI is a parallel bus architecture developed in 1992 for desktop and server applications. PCI slots are provided for the Expansion Cards. Expansion cards like Graphics cards, TV Tuner cards, and USB cards provide you with more facilities.

PCI has evolved into several variations (PCI, PCI-X, PCMCIA, CardBus, CompactPCI, etc.), all parallel bus technologies, to meet the specific requirements of its many applications.


At least 3 or 4 PCI connectors are present on motherboards and can be recognized by their standardized white color.

The PCI interface exists in 32 bits with a 124-pin connector or in 64 bits with a 188-pin connector. There are also two signaling voltage levels:

  • 3.3V, for laptop computers
  • 5V, for desktop computers

The signaling voltage does not equal the voltage of the motherboard power supply but rather the voltage threshold for the digital encryption of data.

There are 2 types of 32-bit connectors:

  • 32-bit PCI connector, 5V:
  • 32-bit PCI connector, 3V:

The 64-bit PCI connectors offer additional pins and can accommodate 32-bit PCI cards. There are 2 types of 64-bit connectors:

  • 64-bit PCI connector, 5V:
  • 64-bit PCI connector, 3.3V:

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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