X16

X16 is a designation used in computing to indicate a width of 16 data lanes or a 16-bit data path. It is a dimension rather than a single technology, and appears in several contexts where parallel data transfer is organized in chunks of sixteen.

In PCI Express, an x16 link or slot refers to a connection that uses 16 lanes to transfer data between a device and the processor or chipset. The practical bandwidth depends on the PCIe generation: PCIe 3.0 provides up to about 15.75 GB/s on a full x16 link; PCIe 4.0 doubles that to about 31.5 GB/s; PCIe 5.0 reaches around 63 GB/s. A motherboard label "x16" on a slot reflects potential, not guaranteed usage; devices may negotiate fewer lanes (x8, x4) depending on hardware and configuration.

In memory technology and data cards, "x16" denotes a memory device with a 16-bit data width. Memory modules are built from multiple chips; by combining several x16 devices, a module can achieve broader interfaces such as 64 bits per memory channel. The choice of x4, x8, or x16 devices affects organization, density, and load on the memory controller.

Other uses include naming conventions for components or interfaces that employ 16-lane or 16-bit data paths. The meaning of x16 should be inferred from its immediate hardware context, as it is not a stand-alone standard but a descriptor of width or parallelism in a given system.