What Are the Slots on the Back of a PC Case Called?

If you’ve ever taken a look at the back of your PC case, you may have noticed a series of rectangular cutouts with metal borders. These slots are an important aspect of your computer’s hardware and serve several functions.

So, what are these slots called? They’re commonly referred to as expansion slots or just slots. They come in different sizes and shapes, depending on the type of motherboard and the purpose they serve.

Expansion slots are used to add new hardware components to your computer such as sound cards, graphics cards, network cards and more. These expansion cards are designed to fit into the corresponding slot on your motherboard.

There are several types of expansion slots that can be found on a PC case:

1. PCI Slots – Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) is one of the most common types of expansion slots found on a PC case. It is used for connecting devices such as sound cards, modems, and network adapters.

2. PCIe Slots – PCIe stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express.

This type of slot is faster than PCI and can handle more data throughput. It is commonly used for graphics cards and other high-bandwidth devices.

3. AGP Slot – Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) was once a very popular type of expansion slot for graphics cards but it has been replaced by PCIe in modern computers.

4. ISA Slot – Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) was once a popular type of expansion slot but it has been largely phased out due to its slow speed compared to newer standards like PCI and PCIe.

5. CNR Slot – Communication Network Riser (CNR) was designed specifically for networking devices such as modems but it has also been largely replaced by newer technologies like USB and Ethernet ports.

Now that you know what these slots are called, it’s important to note that not all motherboards have every type available. The number and types of expansion slots available will depend on the specific motherboard model and manufacturer.

In addition to expansion slots, you may also see other ports on the back of your PC case such as USB, Ethernet, audio jacks and more. These are used for connecting various peripherals like keyboards, mice, printers and other devices.

In conclusion, expansion slots are an essential aspect of any PC case. They allow you to add new hardware components to your computer and expand its capabilities. Knowing what these slots are called and how they function is important for anyone looking to upgrade or build their own PC.