Laajennusliitäntä

Laajennusliitäntä, often translated as expansion interface or expansion slot, refers to a standardized connection point on a computer's motherboard designed to accommodate peripheral devices. These interfaces allow users to add new functionality or upgrade existing capabilities of a computer system. Historically, various types of expansion interfaces have existed, with some becoming obsolete while others have evolved to meet increasing demands for speed and bandwidth.

The primary purpose of a laajennusliitäntä is to provide a pathway for data transfer between the central processing unit (CPU) and the added hardware. This allows devices such as graphics cards, sound cards, network interface cards, and storage controllers to communicate effectively with the rest of the system. The type of expansion interface dictates the maximum data transfer rate and the physical form factor of the compatible expansion cards.

Common examples of expansion interfaces include PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect), AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port), and PCIe (PCI Express). PCI was a widely adopted standard offering a versatile solution for many peripherals. AGP was specifically designed for graphics cards to provide a direct connection to the CPU for improved visual performance. PCIe, the current industry standard, is a serial interface that offers significantly higher bandwidth and scalability compared to its predecessors, making it suitable for high-performance components like modern graphics cards and NVMe SSDs. The selection of available expansion slots on a motherboard determines the types and number of peripherals that can be installed.