expansion slots
Component addition ports
Expansion slots are connectors on a computer's motherboard that accept additional circuit boards, allowing users to add or upgrade capabilities like graphics, sound, or network connectivity.
The term reflects the modular design philosophy of personal computers: The motherboard has three expansion slots for future upgrades.
Also called expansion bays or card slots.
Computer's primary circuit platform
- graphics cardVisual processing hardware
- sound cardComputer audio interface board
- network cardHardware enabling connectivity
- RAMTemporary data storage hardware
DIMM · AGP · PCI · video card · capture card · backplane · bracket
Serial disk interface
Trade in replacement parts
- compatibilityMutual suitability between things
- form factorPhysical size and shape
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
- future-proofingPreparing for anticipated changes
scalability · modularity · hot-swap · plug-and-play · backward compatible · installation
motherboard
Computer's primary circuit platform
- graphics cardVisual processing hardware
- sound cardComputer audio interface board
- network cardHardware enabling connectivity
RAM · DIMM · AGP · PCI · video card · capture card · backplane · bracket
SATA
Serial disk interface
aftermarket
Trade in replacement parts
- compatibilityMutual suitability between things
- form factorPhysical size and shape
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
future-proofing · scalability · modularity · hot-swap · plug-and-play · backward compatible · installation
- Computer PartsRAM, GPU, CPU, motherboard, processor
- Tech SpecsRAM, bandwidth, CPU, storage, GPU
- Motherboardsmotherboard, PCB, chipset, BIOS, CPU socket
- add-onsadd-on, add-ons, add-ins, extras, upgrade
- open standardsopen standards, interoperability, open architecture, open data, TCP/IP
- PC casesmid-tower, full tower, mini tower, steel case, test bench
expansion slotssealed system
Enclosure preventing external exchange
expand, expansion, expanse, expanded, expanding, slots, expands, expandable, exponential