Class Discussion: January 14, 2010: Expansion Slots

Recap from Previous Week.

Class Discussion: Expansion Slots and Devices Required for Set-Up

Expansion slots allow devices to be added to enhance the functionality of the computer. This helps every day life for example, if you notice your USB drive doesn't work and your computer only has one of them, you can add an expansion slot that accomodates USB connections to the motherboard.

There are several different kinds of slots available. The main slots are:
1. PCI - non video, 32 bits (found in Pentium class products)
2. AGP - Video only, (Accelerated Graphics Port) - ususally Brown but it comes in different sizes.
3. PCIe - for video and non video slots. It has a faster technology - 64bits. Uses lanes to switch through components. It doesn't share bandwidth so it can push data faster.
4. AMR - (Audio modem riser) common on Intel. 46 pins. Converts audio from the modem to a digital signal.
5. CNR
6. ISA - 16 bits

Another example, if you ripped your intergrated video card from its motherboard, you can buy a Video slot, a AGP or a PCIe expansion slot.

**Know the size and slot of the expansion slot. There are two sizes:
1. 5v
2. 3.3
**Make sure the size and type od your expansion slot is compatible.

The slots come in different bit sizes: 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 32x.
1x, 4x, and 16x are the most common.
8x is the least common.

Remember 8 bits make a byte.
Ex. AGP has 32 bits. It may also say 4B. This is because it passes over 4 characters at 1 time.
32(bits)/8(bits) = 4 (bytes)