Computer Buses

The parallel port is still an obsolete way to connect a printer to a PC. Learn how parallel ports operate and how they came about.

By Jeff Tyson

PCI Express is a serial connection that operates more like a network than a bus. Take a look at these PCI Express pictures to learn more.

Both FireWire and USB are technologies used to quickly transfer data. Learn about the main difference between FireWire and USB in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

FireWire, or IEEE 1394, is a technology used to transfer data quickly. Learn more about FireWire in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Computers and peripherals haven't always communicated with one another the way they do now. But there's an even faster standard on the horizon, called Light Peak. What makes this new technology so speedy?

By Jonathan Strickland

PCI slots are an integral part of a computer's architecture, but they have some shortcomings. Fortunately, PCI Express (known as PCIe) provides more bandwidth and is compatible with existing operating systems. Find out how PCIe works!

By Tracy V. Wilson

Movies play, pop-ups pop, and video games fill the screen, immersing you in a world of 3-D graphics. Today, every aspect of computing uses lots of graphics. The Accelerated Graphics Port enhances the performance and speed of graphics hardware. Find o

By Jeff Tyson & Robert Valdes

A computer is full of buses -- highways that take information and power from one place to another. While USB is good when utilizing small electronic devices, sometimes you need something bigger. That's where SCSI comes in.

By Jeff Tyson & Tracy V. Wilson

Essentially, a bus is a channel or path between the components in a computer. And having a high-speed bus is as important as having a good transmission in a car.

By Jeff Tyson & Ed Grabianowski

Want an all-encompassing software suite that combines the basic tools developers need to write and test software? Then you need an integrated development environment (IDE). But what is an IDE, exactly, and how does it work? Read on to find out!

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

The serial port was an integral part of most computers for more than 20 years, but new computers usually have USB connections instead. Serial ports are still used for most modems, as well as a few other electronic devices.

By Jeff Tyson

Computers send data through parallel ports, serial ports, or network connections. How does a computer's parallel port work? And how can I design things to attach to a parallel port?

Running out of USB ports is annoying, but it doesn't have to stop you from adding components to your computer. Check out this list of USB accessories and learn how to get them connected.

You can find Universal Serial Bus connectors on just about every PC made today. But when it was introduced, USB was leaps and bounds ahead of the technologies it replaced. What makes this standard so useful?

By Marshall Brain