In this picture, there are three different types of expansion slots: PCI Express, PCI, and AGP. How many expansion slots does my computer have? Every computer motherboard is different, to determine how many expansion slots are on your computer motherboard identify the manufacturer and model of the motherboard.
Many types of expansion cards can be installed in a computer, including sound, video, modem, network, interface card, and others. In many cases, these expansion cards will fit in a slot in the computer called a PCI slot. However, in the case of video cards and a few others, they may fit into other types of slots, like an AGP slot or a PCI Express slot. Before purchasing and installing an expansion card, make sure you know which slots your computer has available on the motherboard. In the picture below, is an example of a motherboard with six expansion slots: two PCI Express slots, three PCI slots, and one AGP slot.
WarningWhile working in your computer and with an expansion card, make sure you're aware of ESD and its potential dangers. We recommend using a grounding strap while working on the inside of the computer.
To install an expansion card, turn off your computer, unplug the power cord from the back of the computer, and remove the side panel from the computer case. You should be able to see the motherboard in the computer case. The expansion card slots are usually located on the bottom half of the motherboard (see example above).
Find the expansion slot that is of the same type as the expansion card. Remove the metal bracket slot cover on the computer case that corresponds to the expansion or if you're upgrading an older expansion card unscrew and remove the expansion card. If you're replacing an expansion card, remove the old expansion card first.
Handle with careWhen handling an expansion card, don't touch the gold plated connectors. Any grease or dirt on these connectors can cause corrosion. It is best to handle expansion cards by the metal back plate.
Gently insert the expansion card into the slot at a 90-degree vertical angle, making sure the external connectors on the end of the card are sticking out through the computer case. Apply a gentle pressure to push the card into the slot completely.
Make sure the expansion card is properly seated and secure the card in place by using the locking mechanism on the computer case (screw, plastic or metal locking brackets, etc.).
Plug the power cord into the computer and turn on the computer. Once the computer has loaded into the operating system, install any necessary hardware drivers and software needed for the expansion card to function properly.
Additional information
- See our expansion card, expansion slot, motherboard definitions for further information and related links.
Two Basic Function Of An Expansion Slot Machines
You can expand your PC internally by adding additional circuitry boards. Those boards, or expansion cards, plug directly into expansion slots on the motherboard (as shown in this figure). So, you can expand your computer system by adding options not included with the basic PC. Here are the types of expansion slots your PC may have:
Two Basic Function Of An Expansion Sloth
PCI Express: The best type of expansion slot to have in your PC is the PCI Express, also written as PCIe. Without boring you, the PCI Express type of expansion slot communicates with the motherboard, and therefore with the microprocessor, both quickly and efficiently.
PCI: The PCI slot is the most common form of internal expansion for a PC.
Some PCs have a mixture of PCI and PCI Express slots. If so, go with PCI Express when you have that option.
AGP: This type of expansion slot was specifically designed to deal with graphics adapters. In fact, AGP stands for Accelerated Graphics Port. Older PCs may sport this expansion slot, but the best video cards use PCI Express.
ISA: The most ancient type of expansion slot is the ISA, which stands for (get this) Industry Standard Architecture. That’s because it never really had a name until another, better type of expansion slot came along. ISA slots hang around to be compatible with older expansion cards.