USB Alternative
PCIe
PCI Express is a high-performance interconnect used for internal expansion hardware in computers and embedded systems.
Related: Thunderbolt · eSATA · FireWire
Characteristics
| 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 |
