Slots - what is it?

Computer components (RAM, sound card, video card, etc.) are connected via special interfaces – slots. This connectors to extend the capabilities of the PC. They can also be called cards or adapters.

It's the RAM slots?

As you know, we are talking about the connectors that connects the RAM of the PC. Usually a motherboard has at least two such slots. This is a mandatory item on any Board, which is responsible for the operation of the system as a whole.

Depending on the year of issue on the motherboard, it may use a different connector, designed for different types of RAM. Given the fact that iron is improving every year, the motherboard manufacturers have to adapt and slots. It is normal practice, therefore, the choice of RAM must accommodate the connectors, for which it is intended.

Also important is the number of slots. In cheap motherboards there are only 2 connection interface, but there are 4. Than their will be greater, the easier it will be to the user to increase the amount of RAM. But even if we take all of the modules, the capacity can be produced by replacing the slots with 4GB capacity, for example, 8 GB.

Types of slots

The first of the interfaces on your motherboard were primitive. They were of memory type is 30 pin SIPP. But every year out of its new standard, and under it aligned interfaces on the Board. So there were connectors:

• 72 pin SIMM;
• 168 pin DIMM;
• 184 pin CRIMM Spacer;
• 64bit RDIMM;
• XDR;
• 184 pin DDR;
• 240 pin DDR2;
• 240 pin DDR3;
• DDR4.

The modern standard, which is used in the motherboards – connectors for DDR4 RAM. As yet there is no RAM DDR5, but her appearance – a matter of time. Then, by the way, there will be new motherboards with sockets for the chips.

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What is this – expansion slots for video cards?

Let's not touch the old interfaces to connect the graphics card. Modern graphic chips can be connected via either of the two existing types – AGP and PCI Express. The difference between these interfaces lies in their bandwidth and capabilities of the supply. There are other less significant differences.

It is believed that it is always better to higher throughput. In practice, however, the higher throughput performance of the chip itself is not affected very much.

A Limited number of motherboard has no AGP or PCI Express slots. They are equipped with only PCI adapters for connecting the graphics card. However, graphics cards for them are very few, and for the home computer they did not fit.

But not only video card and RAM are connected through these connectors. Sound, network cards, and even processors in some sense are connected through them.

Memory Slots

Memory Slot – are interfaces for connecting memory cards Compact Flash, etc. Often in laptops common interfaces for connecting Compact Flash cards. Today it is one of the most common standards and it support many cameras. Memory card Compact Flash are the cheapest.

Memory Stick – a card slot, specially developed by Sony, and today it is the most expensive format of digital media. And this standard is one of a kind. Is a kind of Pro Duo.

SmartMedia – this is the memory slot for SmartMedia cards that have a very thin shell, although their width and length slightly larger than the size of the Memory Stick. These cards are now used only rarely and leave the market. Therefore, the connectors for them too rare.

A slot xD-Picture – it's a little plug for a very small memory card developed by Olympus, Fujifilm and Toshiba. This standard is very popular today, because it has low power consumption, high speed writing and reading, as well as reliability and compactness.

Now you know what is slots for memory cards and what they are. Referred to here as the standards evolve, become obsolete and disappear, and instead appear new.

Interfaces of processors

The Processors are also connected via the slots. For Intel and AMD use completely different interfaces for processors, one or another company.

So, Intel in 1997, has developed a Slot 1 for Pentium 2 with a cache memory of the second level and the so-called foolproof, thanks to which processor it was impossible to plug in wrong connector. Of course, this interface is old and no longer apply today, but in 1998 the company moved to Slot 2 to Pentium 3.

AMD is also not much behind, but their slots for processors were different and it was called Slot A. Today they are extremely rare and were only on older computers. At the moment, the processors connect to the motherboard through a socket (Socket) – female connector. As is the case with slots, certain sockets are suitable for certain processors.

Other free slots

If the judge, the body of the laptop generally consists of some slots. It is possible even to find a place to connect the cable that securely attaches the device and is not to steal it from store shelves. Sometimes such ropes used for fall protection devices, although it is highly questionable.

Also, the laptops include slots for connecting modems, SCSI boards, etc. So it is not necessary to climb inside to find some of them.

In the modern sense of the word “slot” the bar usually means RAM, not a connector for its connection. So when they say ‘memory slots" often mean the bar RAM. It is also worth considering, because many people can misunderstand. Although in reality it is a connector, and its purpose can be connected to any device.