PCI vs PCI expressPCI vs PCI express

Short for Short for PPeripheral eripheral CComponent omponent IInterconnectnterconnect

PCI presents a hybrid of sorts PCI presents a hybrid of sorts between ISA and VL-Bus. It between ISA and VL-Bus. It provides direct access to system provides direct access to system memory for connected devices, but memory for connected devices, but uses a bridge to connect to the uses a bridge to connect to the frontside bus and therefore to the frontside bus and therefore to the CPU. CPU.

Basically, this means that it is Basically, this means that it is capable of even higher capable of even higher performance than VL-Bus while performance than VL-Bus while eliminating the potential for eliminating the potential for interference with the CPU.interference with the CPU.

It has been a stable platform sinceIt has been a stable platform since

it was introduced in the 1990’s.it was introduced in the 1990’s. Windows 95 and the PnP (Plug and Windows 95 and the PnP (Plug and

Play ~Play ~praypray) feature helped to ) feature helped to increase the use of the PCI increase the use of the PCI components.components.

When it worked it was easier then When it worked it was easier then using ISA. (Less configuring)using ISA. (Less configuring)

PCI became the popular expansion PCI became the popular expansion slot on the motherboard.slot on the motherboard.

You could add:You could add: VideoVideo SoundSound modems etc.modems etc. They all worked at a faster speedThey all worked at a faster speed

PCI Starts edging out the competition

The installation was the same as The installation was the same as the ISA cards.the ISA cards.

Pop them into the slots and screw Pop them into the slots and screw the rear shield plate to the case.the rear shield plate to the case.

Troubleshooting when the plug Troubleshooting when the plug and play did not work was the and play did not work was the same as well.same as well.

This is where the cards did not differ.

Troubleshooting the problem: First try to reseat the card and make

sure the connection is completely seated.

You would have to make sure there was not an IRQ or an IO conflict.

This is also true with the PCI Express.

Let the Fun BeginLet the Fun Begin

But as with all things we want But as with all things we want bigger and betterbigger and better

PCI has some shortcomingsPCI has some shortcomings

PCI ExpressPCI Express is a is a two-waytwo-way, serial, serial connection that carries data in connection that carries data in

packets along two pairs of point-to-packets along two pairs of point-to-point data lanes. point data lanes.

Instead of one bus it handles Instead of one bus it handles multiple data from multiple sources.multiple data from multiple sources.

As processors, video cards, sound As processors, video cards, sound cards and networks have become cards and networks have become faster and more powerful.faster and more powerful.

The newer, 64-bit PCI-X bus The newer, 64-bit PCI-X bus provides more bandwidth, but its provides more bandwidth, but its greater width compounds some of greater width compounds some of PCI's other issues. PCI's other issues.

PCI ExpressPCI Express (PCIe) eliminates a (PCIe) eliminates a lot of these shortcomings from lot of these shortcomings from the PCI’s limitations.the PCI’s limitations.

PCI Express makes a computer PCI Express makes a computer faster, can potentially add faster, can potentially add graphics performance, and can graphics performance, and can replace the AGP slot. replace the AGP slot.

Since PCI and PCI Express are Since PCI and PCI Express are compatible, they can coexist compatible, they can coexist indefinitely. So far, video cards indefinitely. So far, video cards have made the fastest transition have made the fastest transition to the PCIe format . to the PCIe format .

It is likely that it will eventually It is likely that it will eventually replace PCI as a PC standard. replace PCI as a PC standard. Gradually, PCI-based cards will Gradually, PCI-based cards will become obsolete. become obsolete.

PCIe is compatible with current PCIe is compatible with current operating systems and can operating systems and can provide faster speeds provide faster speeds

Websites used for information:Websites used for information: www.webopedia.comwww.webopedia.com www.howstuffworks.comwww.howstuffworks.com www.pcstats.comwww.pcstats.com