What Is the Main Purpose of Expansion Slots?

An expansion slot is a socket on a computer motherboard that accepts an expansion card (often called a plug-in card). Expansion slots are used to connect additional hardware to a computer, such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards.

They are also used to connect specialized devices, such as TV tuner cards and USB ports.

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The number and type of expansion slots on a motherboard determines the types of expansion cards that can be used with the motherboard. For example, a motherboard with an AGP slot can be used with a graphics card that uses an AGP interface.

A motherboard with two PCI slots can be used with two PCI network cards.

PCI slots are the most common type of expansion slot found on computers. PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect and is an industry standard bus used by devices to connect to a computer. PCI slots come in two flavors: 32-bit and 64-bit.

The difference between the two is the amount of data that can be transferred at one time. A 32-bit PCI slot can transfer up to 4 GB of data per second, while a 64-bit PCI slot can transfer up to 8 GB of data per second.

The main purpose of expansion slots is to provide a way to easily add new hardware to a computer without having to open up the case and physically install it. This makes it easy to upgrade or replace components without having to disassemble the entire computer.