Total Pageviews

5 Types of PCI Slots and Their Functions on the Computer

PCI is an abbreviation of Peripheral Component Interconnect. PCI itself is a part of 32-bit type motherboards. The form is a slot that can be inserted for various other components such as sound cards, graphic cards, and various other hardware.


On older types of computers, each device connected to the PCI slot is not directly connected as the "plug and play" concept. Special drivers are needed to be able to connect computer hardware to the motherboard. This PCI slot has several types based on its use. To find out more, here is a review of Types of PCI Slots.

1. PCI-E X16 slot

Types of PCI slots are the first PCI-E X16 slot. This type of PCI slot has been used since motherboards use the LGA 775 type processor. Generally the LGA 775 type processor is used on Pentium 5 CPUs and also Celeron. Until now the PCI-E X16 slot is still used today because even though Pentum 4 has not been produced anymore, Celeron is still needed by several manufacturers until now.

The function of the PCI-E X16 slot is as a substitute for the AGP slot. Because the AGP slot is an old type of PCI slot that can only be used on old type motherboards. That said, this slot type is an upgraded version of the PCI slot type.


2. AGP slot

The next types of PCI slots are AGP slots. AGP itself stands for Accelerated Graphics Port. As already mentioned in the previous point that the AGP slot is a PCI slot for old type motherboards. Examples such as LGA 478 and Pentium 3. AGP slot types have three types, namely AGP 1.0, AGP 2.0 and AGP 3.0. the difference of the three types of AGP lies in the bandwidth used.

The function of the AGP slot itself is a supporting bus on a high-performance graphics card on the motherboard. This AGP slot also functions as a replacement for the ISA bus, VESA bus and PCI bus. In addition, another function of this AGP slot is as a data bridge from the graphics card to the CPU without passing through main memory. That way, the process of processing graphical data can be accelerated. Another advantage of the AGP slot is that it can also execute texture maps from main memory.

At present, AGP slots have never been used again because they are in line with technological developments. In fact, if you are looking for a motherboard with AGP slots today, you will be very difficult to find it.

3. PCI slot

This time we discuss about the PCI slot itself. Basically, PCI slots have been used since the IBM PC in 1992. One of the hardware in this motherboard is a type of bus that will replace the ISA or ELISA bus that is usually used by IBM PC or other computers. At that time, this PCI slot could be used for installation of several other hardware such as a TV turner, USB card, Sound Card and so on.

The types of PCI from time to time always have changes like the following.

PCI 1.0
The first type of PCI ever made. Created since 1992 it has two types of bus widths. The first type is the type of 32 bits and the second type is 68 bits. Both types are still used today.

PCI 2.0
The second type is made one year after the first version. PCI 2.0 is used for connector types and expansion boards.


PCI 2.1
The next type is the PCI 2.1 version. The latest version of PCI was made around 1995. PCI 2.1 also operates on motherboards that already use the 66 MHz type.

PCI 2.2
This next version was created around 1999. There are additional features in it, namely power management.

PCI X 1.0
In this section, PCI has entered the PCI X version. An additional feature in this type of PCI is the addition of operations that can reach 133 MHz.

Mini PCI
Mini PCI was also made around 1999. The function of the mini PVI itself is for the type of motherboard that has a small foam factor.

PCI 2.3
Around 2002, PCI has upgraded to PCI 2.3. with this upgrade, there are some additions such as signal parts that can reach 3.3 volts.

PCI X 2.0
The following year PCI X gets an upgrade. In the type of PCI X 2.0, there is the addition of work mode support starting from 266 MHz up to 533 MHz.

PCI Express 1.0
PCI has reached the latest upgrade which until now began to be used up to the type of motherboard now. This upgrade on PCI express is the addition of speeds reaching 2500 mb / s, each path has a transmission in every direction, and uses a 0.8 Volt type signal.

4. PCI-E X1 slot

This last type of PCI slot has only one path because the x1 sign has the meaning of 1 lane. Therefore, this slot is often used for several other devices.

Those are the types of PCI slots and their functions on a computer. You can read other references about the functions of PCI express, tips on choosing a motherboard, and the type of Intel motherboards in several reliable sources. Hopefully this article can provide benefits for you all.

Comments