Motherboard Component Communication and PCI Buses

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Questions and Answers

What voltage levels can the motherboard's card interface support?

5 volts and 12 volts

2.5 volts and 5 volts

3.3 volts and 5 volts (correct)

3.3 volts and 12 volts

What signifies a 64-bit card in terms of installation?

Specific colors of contacts

The presence of a 64-bit key and fewer contacts

The presence of a 64-bit key and additional contacts (correct)

A larger physical size

What is the primary method of communication used by PCI express compared to PCI?

Asynchronous communication instead of synchronous

Parallel communication instead of serial

Wired communication instead of wireless

Serial communication instead of parallel (correct)

What do the 'x' values (like x1, x2) in PCIe signify?

The number of lanes for data transfer Signup and view all the answers

How are PCI express lanes structured in terms of data transfer?

They allow for simultaneous two-way communication Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the hook found on many PCI express cards?

To help lock the card into the slot Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if a PCI express card does not easily slide into the slot?

Recheck alignment and settings Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes PCI from PCI express in terms of installation?

PCIe cards have different contact arrangements Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements correctly describes the benefits of adding more lanes to a PCI express bus?

It allows for greater data transfer bandwidth Signup and view all the answers

What type of connection is typically used by modern computers in place of PCI?

PCI express Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the bus in a motherboard?

To facilitate communication between the CPU, memory, and other components Signup and view all the answers

What does PCI stand for in the context of motherboard expansion slots?

Peripheral Component Interconnect Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a 32-bit PCI bus and a 64-bit PCI bus?

The 64-bit bus can communicate more data simultaneously than the 32-bit bus Signup and view all the answers

What type of communication do PCI expansion slots utilize?

Parallel communication Signup and view all the answers

How are the physical sizes of 32-bit and 64-bit PCI slots different?

64-bit slots are physically larger than 32-bit slots Signup and view all the answers

What voltage capabilities do PCI expansion cards support?

3.3 volts and 5 volts Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the communication paths found on a motherboard?

They consist of physical traces visible on the motherboard Signup and view all the answers

What is likely to happen with older computers regarding expansion slots?

They tend to have more PCI slots than newer models Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Motherboard Component Communication

Motherboards house various components (CPU, memory, storage, expansion slots) requiring communication pathways.
Expansion cards add functionality, necessitating communication with other components.
Components often have modularity, thus needing inter-component communication.
Communication paths are called "buses."
Buses connect components, evident from traces on the motherboard.

PCI Bus Architecture

PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) is an older standard (1994).
PCI comes in different bus sizes (e.g., 32-bit, 64-bit).
PCI uses parallel communication to transmit data.
32-bit and 64-bit PCI buses share a central controller.
64-bit buses are wider and physically larger than 32-bit.
PCI cards support varying voltage requirements (e.g., 3.3V, 5V).
Card keys and contacts designate bus width and voltage support.
Cards have specific key placements for correct installation.

PCI Express Bus

Newer computers use PCI Express (PCIe) which replaces PCI.
PCIe uses serial communication instead of parallel.
Communication pathways are called "lanes" and are referenced with an x.
Lanes (e.g., x1, x4, x16) increase data transfer capacity.
More lanes equal more bandwidth and larger physical connectors.
PCIe uses a full-duplex communication system.

Comparing PCI and PCIe

Modern motherboards often have both PCI and PCIe slots.
PCI and PCIe adapter card interfaces differ in appearance.
PCIe cards often have locking mechanisms for secure installation.
Proper installation involves aligning the card with the slot.
Ensure secure installation and minimal force during installation.

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Description

Explore the essential communication pathways within motherboards, including the roles of buses and expansion cards. This quiz covers details about the PCI and PCI Express bus architectures, their sizes, and data transmission methods. Test your knowledge on modularity, voltage requirements, and installation specifics in modern computers.