Word for the Day Archive

PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)

A high-performance (by current standards) computer expansion slot designed by Intel. PCI allows for 32- or 64-bit bus specification. PCI is described as high-bandwidth and processor-independent data path between the CPU and high-speed peripherals. The PCI spec allows for the capability to transfer up to 132 megabytes per second at a bus clock speed of 33 MHz (although the current rates being claimed by manufacturers are more commonly in the 30 Mb/sec range). This speed makes it especially suitable for high data rate applications like digital audio and video. PCI slots are found in the current generations of both PC and Macintosh personal computers.