System Bus vs Expansion Bus
A Type III slot can accept a Type III, Type II or Type I card A Type II slot can accept a Type II or Type I card Models manufactured before Sep 1997 can NOT have CardBus slots (v5.0+, 32-bit), and will have the original PCMCIA Type II (v2.X, 16-bit) PC Card slots; due to timing of the availability of the PCMCIA v5.0 standard. The PCI bus is the most popular expansion bus use in today's computers PCI Card. PCI 64 and 32bit Slot AGP Introduced by Intel in 1997, AGP or Advanced Graphic Port is a 32-bit bus or 64-bit bus designed for the high demands of 3-D graphics. AGP has a direct line to the computers memory which allows 3-D elements to be stored in the system. C ontrol Bus: The control bus carries the control signals that make sure everything is flowing smoothly from place to place. E xpansion Bus: If your computer has expansion slots, there's an expansion bus. Messages and information pass between your computer and the add-in boards you plug in over the expansion bus. System Bus vs Expansion Bus. Summary: Difference Between System Bus and Expansion Bus is that system bus, also called the front side bus (FSB), is part of the motherboard and connects the processor to main memory. While an expansion bus allows the processor to communicate with peripherals. Some peripherals outside the system unit connect to a port on an adapter card.
Summary: Difference Between System Bus and Expansion Bus is that system bus, also called the front side bus (FSB), is part of the motherboard and connects the processor to main memory. While an expansion bus allows the processor to communicate with peripherals. Some peripherals outside the system unit connect to a port on an adapter card, which is inserted in an expansion slot on the motherboard.
System Bus
A system bus, also called the front side bus (FSB), is part of the motherboard and connects the processor to main memory. When computer professionals use the term bus by itself, they usually are referring to the system bus. A backside bus (BSB) connects the processor to cache.
Expansion bus
An expansion bus allows the processor to communicate with peripherals. Some peripherals outside the system unit connect to a port on an adapter card, which is inserted in an expansion slot on the motherboard. This expansion slot connects to the expansion bus, which allows the processor to communicate with the peripheral attached to the adapter card.
Also Read:
Alternatively known as a bus slot or expansion port, an expansion slot is a connection or port inside a computer on the motherboard or riser card. It provides an installation point for a hardware expansion card to be connected. For example, if you wanted to install a new video card in the computer, you'd purchase a video expansion card and install that card into the compatible expansion slot.
Computer expansion slots
Below is a listing of expansion slots commonly found in a computer and the devices associated with those slots. Clicking on any of the links below provide you with additional details.
- AGP - Video card.
- AMR - Modem, sound card.
- CNR - Modem, network card, sound card.
- EISA - SCSI, network card, video card.
- ISA - Network card, sound card, video card.
- PCI - Network card, SCSI, sound card, video card.
- PCI Express - Video card, modem, sound card, network card.
- VESA - Video card.
Many of the above expansion card slots are obsolete. You're most likely only going to encounter AGP, PCI, and PCI Express when working with computers today. In the picture below is an example of what expansion slots may look like on a motherboard. In this picture, there are three different types of expansion slots: PCI Express, PCI, and AGP.
How many expansion slots does my computer have?
Alternatively known as a bus slot or expansion port, an expansion slot is a connection or port inside a computer on the motherboard or riser card. It provides an installation point for a hardware expansion card to be connected. For example, if you wanted to install a new video card in the computer, you'd purchase a video expansion card and install that card into the compatible expansion slot.
Computer expansion slots
Below is a listing of expansion slots commonly found in a computer and the devices associated with those slots. Clicking on any of the links below provide you with additional details.
- AGP - Video card.
- AMR - Modem, sound card.
- CNR - Modem, network card, sound card.
- EISA - SCSI, network card, video card.
- ISA - Network card, sound card, video card.
- PCI - Network card, SCSI, sound card, video card.
- PCI Express - Video card, modem, sound card, network card.
- VESA - Video card.
Many of the above expansion card slots are obsolete. You're most likely only going to encounter AGP, PCI, and PCI Express when working with computers today. In the picture below is an example of what expansion slots may look like on a motherboard. In this picture, there are three different types of expansion slots: PCI Express, PCI, and AGP.
How many expansion slots does my computer have?
Every computer motherboard is different, to determine how many expansion slots are on your computer motherboard identify the manufacturer and model of the motherboard. Once you've identified the model of motherboard, you can find complete information about the motherboard in its manual.
Adding additional expansion slots for older motherboards could be accomplished by using a riser board, which would add several ISA or PCI slots. Today, riser boards are rarely used with motherboards, as there is limited need for additional expansion slots with modern motherboards.
What type of expansion slots are on my motherboard?
As mentioned above, every motherboard model is unique, so to determine the type of expansion slots on the motherboard, consult the board's specifications and owner's manual. You can also open the computer case and visually examine the motherboard.
Why do computers have expansion slots?
Computers have expansion slots to give the user the ability to add new devices to their computer. For example, a computer gamer may upgrade their video card to get better performance in their games. An expansion slot allows them to remove the old video card and add a new video card without replacing the motherboard.
What is the most common expansion slot today?
Today, the most commonly used expansion slot used and found on computer motherboards is the PCI Express expansion slot.
Does a laptop have an expansion slot?
Laptops do not have expansion slots like a desktop computer. However, some laptops do have PC Cards that can be inserted into the side of the laptop. They may also have a Cardbus slot for an ExpressCard to be added.
Related expansion slot pages
Pci Bus Slot Types
Expansion, Expansion card, Motherboard terms, Seated
