PCI bus connects peripherals to the motherboard
Peripheral Component Interconnect is a common connection interface for attaching computerperipheralsto themotherboard.
Is PCI Still Used Today?
Modern computers mainly use other interface technologies likeUSBorPCI Express(PCIe).
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Some desktop computers might have PCIslotson the motherboard to maintain backward compatibility.
Other Names for PCI
A PCI unit is called a PCI bus.
Abusis a term for a path between the components of a computer.
You might also see this term described as conventional PCI.
How Does PCI Work?
A PCI bus lets you change different peripherals that are attached to the computer system.
Usually, there are three or four PCI slots on a motherboard.
If you have an open slot, you could add another peripheral like a second hard drive.
Computers might have more than one jot down of bus to handle different traffic types.
The PCI bus used to come in both32-bit and 64-bitversions.
PCI runs at 33 MHz or 66 MHz.
PCI Cards
PCI cards come in several shapes and sizes, also known as form factors.
Full-size PCI cards are 312 millimeters long.
Short cards range from 119 to 167 millimeters and fit into smaller slots.
There are other variations, such as compact PCI, Mini PCI, Low-Profile PCI, and others.
PCI cards use 47 pins to connect, and PCI supports devices that use 5 volts or 3.3 volts.
Peripheral Component Interconnect History
Intel developed the PCI bus in the early 1990s.
PCI became popular when Windows 95 introduced itsPlug and Play(PnP) feature in 1995.
Intel had incorporated the PnP standard into PCI, which gave it an advantage over ISA.
PCI didn’t requirejumpersor dip switches, as ISA did.
It was developed by Intel and the Arapaho Work Group.
PCI-X is a similar technology to PCI.
Standing for Peripheral Component Interconnect eXtended, PCI-X improvesbandwidthon the 32-bit PCI bus forserversand workstations.
