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Slot

pc

A slot is a connector on a motherboard used for installing and holding add-in cards.

expanded

Slots are essential components of computer motherboards that allow for the installation and integration of various hardware peripherals such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards. They provide both the physical connection and an electrical interface to expand a computer's capabilities, supporting the modular design. Commonly used slot types include PCI, PCIe, and AGP, each with specific use cases and data transfer protocols that enhance system performance.

examples

A PCIe x16 slot is used to install a high-performance graphics card.

Typically used in consumer desktop and workstation motherboards to enhance 3D rendering, gaming experience, and parallel processing tasks.

PCI slots are still used in older systems to accommodate legacy hardware devices.

Found in older model motherboards, these slots support legacy peripherals that require relatively lower data transfer speeds and include devices such as older sound cards and network interface cards.

related terms

Socket
A socket is a physical or virtual interface for connecting compatible computer components or peripheral devices.
Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe)
PCIe is a high-speed interface standard for connecting peripheral devices to a computer's motherboard.
Port
A port is an interface on a computer or peripheral device for connecting with other devices or networks.
Motherboard
A motherboard is the primary circuit board that connects all components of a computer system.
Chipset
A chipset is a collection of integrated circuits that manage data flow between the processor, memory, and peripherals of a computer.