Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) is a computer bus standard that allows various peripheral devices to connect to a computer's motherboard. It is a widely used and versatile interface that enables expansion cards, such as sound cards, network cards, and graphics cards, to be connected to the computer system.
PCI provides a high-speed data transfer pathway between the CPU and the peripheral devices, allowing for efficient communication and data exchange. It operates on a synchronous bus architecture, meaning that data is transmitted in a fixed, synchronized manner. It supports multiple data transfer modes, such as 32-bit and 64-bit, and various bus speeds depending on the particular PCI version.
The PCI standard specifies a set of electrical, mechanical, and signaling interfaces, ensuring compatibility between devices from different manufacturers. It enables hot-swapping, which means that components can be plugged in or removed while the system is still running, without the need for restarting. PCI also supports bus mastering, allowing devices to take control of the bus and independently initiate data transfers.
In recent years, PCI has been largely superseded by its successors, PCI Express (PCIe) and Thunderbolt interfaces, which offer higher data transfer speeds and greater flexibility. However, PCI remains widely used, especially for connecting legacy devices or in industries where the cost of upgrading to newer standards is prohibitive.
