USB Alternative

PCIe

PCI Express is a high-performance interconnect used for internal expansion hardware in computers and embedded systems.

PCIe characteristics

Compare its expansion role, lane architecture, USB overlap, and common uses.

Primary purpose	High-performance system expansion and I/O
Typical location	Internal system buses, expansion slots, and modules
Lane architecture	Scalable multi-lane serial interconnect
External peripheral use	Usually indirect rather than a general external connector
USB relationship	USB devices often provide external alternatives to PCIe expansion cards
Typical devices	Graphics cards, storage controllers, network adapters, capture cards, and SSDs
Current status	Current high-performance system interconnect