Types of Graphic Card Connections

With the multitude of computer components available today, it can be difficult to figure out the exact type of any specific component. Because of the rapid change and availability of technology, certain formats, such as the type of connection by which a graphics card interfaces with a motherboard, often come in several varieties. With regard to graphics cards, there are three types of connections that they can have. These connection types are PCI Express, AGP and PCI.PCI ExpressThe PCI Express, often abbreviated PCIe, graphics connection type is the newest of the three types, having come out in 2004. It replaces the older AGP connection. It is an improvement over the AGP connection in that it has an increased amount of bandwidth, allowing more data to be transferred from the card to the motherboard more quickly. When the PCI Express connection came out, it quadrupled the bus data rate of the AGP connection type.AGPThe AGP graphics connection type provided users with a dedicated graphics connection on the motherboard, having been limited before to the PCI connection. The AGP connection provided users with up to four times the amount of bandwidth offered by the PCI connection. The connection is based on extending and enhancing the performance offered by the PCI connection, specifically by optimizing the connection for 3D graphics applications. It is important to note that AGP connections do not replace PCI connections. AGP graphics cards are still commercially available, as of November 2010.PCIThe PCI connection type replaced the much older ISA type. They are common connections on most motherboards and accept a wide variety of expansion cards, including graphics cards. The PCI slot was created by Intel to bring about an industry standard connection type that was capable of keeping up with other computer technology developments. PCI video cards are still commercially available as of November 2010. References PC Hardware: Video and Graphic Cards Explained NVIDIA: PCI Express Motherboards.org: Expansion Slots: AGP Motherboards.org: Expansion Slots: PCI