There are 7 major slot/card types. Here is a short outline
of this section, which displays to you the 7 types.
Expansion Slot/Card Types
8-bit
ISA
MCA
EISA
VL-Bus
PCI
PC Card
8-Bit
The "first born" expansion slot, which existed when the first PC was
developed along with the Intel 8088. It was characterized by its 8-bit
data line connection to the CPU. It is also named the IBM PC bus and XT
bus. In today's computers it is rightfully obsolete. It is identifiable
by its’ one large connector with 62 channels.
ISA
This is an ISA expansion slot.
The Industry Standard Architecture bus or also known as the "AT bus"
was developed for the 16-bit processor. The ISA slot has begun to approach
its final days as computer developers are beginning to avoid the use of
ISA slots. This is not due to any grudges or ill feelings, but mainly due
to performance issues. The ISA slot is one of the slowest slots available,
which means it communicates with the CPU at extraordinary slow rate. It
is distinguishable by its long double connector, which is a small bus connector
placed behind the original 8-bit connector.
Note: The ISA is one of the few slots that
is backward compatible.
Here is an ISA expansion card.
Continue the tutorial with the next section on MCA
slots.
