Laiendkaardina

Laiendkaardina is an Estonian term that translates to "expansion card" in English. It refers to a printed circuit board that can be inserted into a computer's motherboard or expansion slot to add new functionality or upgrade existing capabilities. These cards allow users to customize their computers beyond the standard features provided by the motherboard.

Common examples of expansion cards include graphics cards, which are essential for displaying images and video on a monitor, and sound cards, which enhance audio output and input. Network interface cards (NICs) enable computers to connect to networks, such as the internet or local area networks. Other types of expansion cards can provide additional USB ports, storage controllers, or specialized processing capabilities.

The advent of expansion cards allowed for greater flexibility and upgradeability in personal computers. As technology advanced, many functions previously requiring separate expansion cards, such as sound and basic graphics, became integrated directly onto motherboards. However, specialized and high-performance expansion cards, particularly graphics cards and high-speed network cards, remain crucial components for many computer systems, especially for gaming, professional content creation, and demanding server applications. The interface through which these cards connect to the motherboard has also evolved, with technologies like PCI Express becoming the modern standard, offering significantly higher bandwidth compared to older interfaces like ISA and PCI.