Interconnect Plug
PCI Express – What's Happening & Why Do I Care?
It's pretty clear to me that given the number of PCI Express plug-in cards available on the market today that PCI Express has won the high-bandwidth, serial interconnect wars of a few years ago. No doubt, there are specific application niches were InfiniBand, RapidIO or HyperTransport work the best. However, given the ever-expanding volume and types of PCI Express COTS boards available, you have to admit that PCI Express is the clear victor. Maybe you disagree, but next time you're searching on-line or in your local Fry's for a plug-in board let me know how many non-PCI Express high-bandwidth, serial interconnect boards you manage to find. I'm guessing that the number will be very small.
That brings us to a discussion on all the flavors of PCI Express that are now popping up. Does it matter that the interface is PCI Express version 1.1, 2.0, 2.1 or even the latest and greatest 3.0? From the strictly, "Will the cards work?" standpoint the answer is "Yes", because the basic interconnect functionality is not affected by the PCIe version. The PCI-SIG (Peripheral Component Interconnect Special Interest Group) did a smart thing when PCI Express 1.1 was first developed because they built the basic PCIe interconnect in such a manner as to ensure both scalability and backwards compatibility. This critical specification feature enables the computer hardware to operate fine with just about any PCI Express card regardless of the board's interface version. So, if that's the case why do I care about the various types of PCI Express interfaces?
Increased system performance is the primary reason you care about the specific PCI Express interface. A PCI Express 2.0 COTS board installed in an industrial computer will send its data over to the system host board (SHB) twice as fast as older PCI Express 1.1 boards. Of course, this assumes that the systems' SHB has PCIe 2.0 interfaces. The same scenario plays out in an embedded motherboard. If the motherboard is equipped with PCIe 2.0 card slots then any PCIe 2.0 card placed into one of these slots will send it's data to the board's CPUs twice as fast as in a PCIe 1.1 system. This speed advantage is cumulative and can be critical in high-performance computing applications.
PCIe 2.1 uses many of the interface architecture improvements developed for PCIe 3.0, but communicates at the same interface speeds used in PCIe 2.0. PCIe 3.0 achieves twice the communication speeds of PCIe 2.0 through various architecture and protocol management improvements. PCIe 3.0 silicon will start becoming readily available in 2011.
Further information can be found at Trenton Technology or the Trenton Blog.
About the Author
Jim Renehan is the Director of Marketing for Trenton Technology. Jim has held various marketing and application engineering positions in the embedded computing, industrial automation, and automatic identification industries. Jim holds a BS in Industrial Technology from Iowa State University of Science and Technology in Ames, Iowa. For further information, please visit Trenton Technology.
Tyco Electronics / POWER CONNECTOR / CROWN CLIP Junior
 |
 8pcs Audio Grade Silver RCA Interconnect Plug Connector $18.99 Time Remaining: 16d 1h 45m Buy It Now for only: $18.99 Buy It Now |
 Pair Kimber Kable Timbre PS Audio Plug Interconnects 15 meter $78.00 (13 Bids) Time Remaining: 20h 50m |
 4 x Audio Grade Silver RCA Interconnect Plug Connector $12.99 Time Remaining: 18d 18h 41m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now |
 COOPER 5000114 8 3 WIRE SENSOR INTERCONNECT FEMALE STRAIGHT PLUG TO CUT END $17.99 Time Remaining: 11d 4h 31m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 Buy It Now |
 Neotech NA 12162 999997 Pure Silver Interconnect Cables with UPOCC plugs $70.00 (27 Bids) Time Remaining: 4h 17m |
 2pcsHi Power Interconnect Locking Audio Banana Plug42 $8.99 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 26m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 Buy It Now |
 Alpine Amplifier Speaker Plug Connector for PDX 1600M PDX 2150 $19.99 Time Remaining: 12d 6h 38m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now |
 Master Plug Performance Series 1m Gold Plated RCA Phono Connector Interconnects $6.24 Time Remaining: 3d 8h Buy It Now for only: $6.24 Buy It Now |
 Audio Note 42 strand High Purity Copper Litz Interconnect silver plated RCA plug $81.00 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d |
 RCA Interconnect Male Locking Solder Audio Plug New 4PC $9.99 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 9m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now |
 4Gold RCA Audio Interconnect Cable Plug Connector 400 $11.99 Time Remaining: 13d 21m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 INTERCONNECT CABLE 20 PIN PLUG UNKNOWN BRAND NEW CONDITION $0.99 Time Remaining: 3d 9h 23m |
 Alpine Amplifier Speaker Plug PDX 11000 PDX 1600 $19.99 Time Remaining: 27d 7h 31m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now |
 BLACK RHODIUM RCA Phono Plugs for Stereo Interconnects 4pk 2 Red + 2 Black $25.59 Time Remaining: 2d 4h 16m Buy It Now for only: $25.59 Buy It Now |
 Alpine Genuine Amplifier Speaker Plug for PDX 4100M PDX 4150 $19.98 Time Remaining: 27d 7h 59m Buy It Now for only: $19.98 Buy It Now |
 4PCS NEW Audio Grade Silver RCA Interconnect Plug Connector FOR CD PLAYER OUTPUT $0.90 Time Remaining: 2d 18h 52m Buy It Now for only: $3.84 Buy It Now |
 Alpine Genuine Amplifier Speaker Plug PDX M6 PDX M12 PDXM6 PDXM12 $19.95 Time Remaining: 25d 7h 3m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 Buy It Now |
 JVC PLUG HARNESS S5050 KD G700 KD G800 KD G400 KD G300 KD G230 KD G210 $7.89 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 56m Buy It Now for only: $7.89 Buy It Now |
 4 x Audio Grade Silver RCA Interconnect Plug Connector $12.99 Time Remaining: 7d 21h 22m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now |
 2 meter RCA interconnect Rattlesnake handmade Belden LC 1 cable w locking plugs $350.00 Time Remaining: 3d 3h 17m |
 JENSEN RADIO WIRE HARNESS POWER PLUG VM9312HD VM9412 VM9512 JE16 01 US SELLER $18.95 Time Remaining: 13d 20h 44m Buy It Now for only: $18.95 Buy It Now |
 Silver Solder 4 Lead Free 30cms Audio Banana RCA Speaker Interconnect Plugs $1.56 Time Remaining: 17d 5h 13m Buy It Now for only: $1.56 Buy It Now |
 2pcs Interconnect Audio Stereo Precision RCA LOCKING Adapter CONNECTOR PLUG65 $0.95 Time Remaining: 23h 56m |
 Noise Filter Loop Isolator with 35mm EARPHONE PLUG $9.99 Time Remaining: 4d 18h 32m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now |
 8pcs Audio Grade Silver RCA Interconnect Plug Connector $18.99 Time Remaining: 12d 18h 20m Buy It Now for only: $18.99 Buy It Now |
 Memphis Audio 2 Ch Twisted Pair Audio Interconnect Cable Wire 17 w RCA Plugs $14.99 Time Remaining: 6d 11h 45m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now |
 Pair Audio Interconnect Cable 10m withy XLO plugs in good condition $0.11 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 40m |
 2p Gold Rca Audio Interconnect Cable Plug Connector 400 $6.95 Time Remaining: 29d 22h 20m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 Buy It Now |
 2p Interconnect Precision RCA LOCKING CONNECTOR PLUG65 $7.98 Time Remaining: 16d 22h 26m Buy It Now for only: $7.98 Buy It Now |
 4Interconnect Gold RCA LOCKING Lock CONNECTOR PLUG $9.99 Time Remaining: 3d 16h 12m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now |
 2pcs Interconnect Audio Stereo Precision RCA LOCKING Adapter CONNECTOR PLUG65 $0.95 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 23m |
 ALPINE PDX CONNECTOR PLUG QUICK CONNECT SINGLE $19.95 Time Remaining: 15d 6h 31m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 Buy It Now |
 Altinex PoP N Plug TableTop PNP300 Interconnect Box $679.15 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 43m Buy It Now for only: $679.15 Buy It Now |
 1 PairCD Player Audio Interconnect Cable RCA Gold Plated Connector Plug400 $0.90 Time Remaining: 22h 12m Buy It Now for only: $1.84 Buy It Now |
 2pc New RCA CD Interconnects Cable Plug ConnectorRG005 $4.50 Time Remaining: 21h 37m Buy It Now for only: $4.50 Buy It Now |
 2pcs Interconnect Audio Stereo Precision RCA LOCKING Adapter CONNECTOR PLUG65 $7.88 Time Remaining: 7d 21h 6m Buy It Now for only: $7.88 Buy It Now |
 4Interconnect Gold RCA LOCKING Lock CONNECTOR PLUG73 $9.99 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 32m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now |
 2pcsHi Power Interconnect Locking Audio Banana Plug42 m $0.90 Time Remaining: 6d 21h 8m Buy It Now for only: $2.84 Buy It Now |
 JVC PLUG HARNESS KD S590 KD S890 KD S640 KD S670 KD 5680 KS FX100 KD S5055 $5.89 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 56m Buy It Now for only: $5.89 Buy It Now |
 Amphenol 31 212 RFX BNC Clamp Solder Plug for RG 59 62 Connect Interconnect $6.00 Time Remaining: 22d 6h 59m Buy It Now for only: $6.00 Buy It Now |
 2 PairAudio Interconnect Cable RCA Connector Plug400 $9.84 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 31m Buy It Now for only: $9.84 Buy It Now |
 2pcs Interconnect Audio Stereo Precision RCA LOCKING Adapter CONNECTOR PLUG65 $0.95 Time Remaining: 2d 23h 12m |
 4 PC ALPINE PDX SPEAKER PLUG AMP PDX 4150 PDX 4100 PDX5 AMPLIFIER CONNECTORS $89.99 Time Remaining: 18d 14h 8m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 Buy It Now |
 4Interconnect Gold RCA LOCKING Lock CONNECTOR PLUG73 $9.99 Time Remaining: 17d 16h 26m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now |
 2x Interconnect RCA SOLDER FREE Car Home AUDIO CD PLAYER Cable Connector PLUG44 $0.90 Time Remaining: 4d 3h 55m Buy It Now for only: $1.88 Buy It Now |
 RCA Audio Cables Y with Gold Ends 5pcs 1 Male plug 2 female plugs $9.75 Time Remaining: 15d 10h 25m Buy It Now for only: $9.75 Buy It Now |
 100Interconnect Gold RCA LOCKING Lock CONNECTOR PLUG $268.00 Time Remaining: 23d 34m Buy It Now for only: $268.00 Buy It Now |
 50Audio Interconnect Cable RCA Lock Connector Plug65A $138.00 Time Remaining: 19d 19h 51m Buy It Now for only: $138.00 Buy It Now |
 2x Interconnect RCA SOLDER FREE Car Home AUDIO CD PLAYER CABLE CONNECTOR PLUG44 $0.90 Time Remaining: 4d 16h 48m Buy It Now for only: $1.88 Buy It Now |
 8pcs Audio Grade Silver RCA Interconnect Plug Connector $18.99 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 23m Buy It Now for only: $18.99 Buy It Now |
 4Gold RCA Audio Interconnect Cable Plug Connector 400 $11.99 Time Remaining: 29d 21h 46m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 Acoustic Research AP031 6-Foot Stereo Analog Interconnect, with Gold RCA Plug Molded Connectors List Price: Sale Price: $6.96 You save: $10.03 (59%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionFeaturing gold-plated connectors and oxygen-free copper wire for optimal conductivity, this stereo RCA cable delivers the best possible sound from your home stereo system. Line noise is minimized by its directional-balanced line construction, and is further reduced by protective 100 percent-overlapped Mylar foil shielding...  |
 PAC iSimple Dash Mount 3.5mm(F) to 3.5mm(M) Stereo Audio Interconnect IS335 List Price: Sale Price: $12.99 You save: $7.00 (35%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionAAMP IS335 Audio Cable Mini-phone Male Stereo Audio - Mini-phone Female Stereo Audio |
 Quoizel UCIC2201W Counter Effect - Interconnect Plug Kitchen Cabinet Light in White Lustre List Price: See Reviews For This Product DescriptionKitchen Cabinet Light in White Lustre from the Counter Effect - Interconnect Plug Collection by Quoizel. Dimensions: 1.5 H 1.5 W 1.5 E |
 Monster Standard THX-Certified Fiber Optic Digital Interconnect Cable - 4 ft. Digital Fiber Optic Cable List Price: Sale Price: $16.85 You save: $3.10 (16%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionMonster Standard THX-Certified Fiber Optic Digital Interconnect Cable - 4 ft. Digital Fiber Optic Cable |
 18straight Cable - Quick Disconnect To 2.5 Mm Plug Sale Price: $12.52 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionPlantronics Telephone Cable 43038-01 Cables |
 Xbox 360 HDMI Cable List Price: Sale Price: $33.07 You save: $16.92 (34%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionHandling up to 1080p resolution in a single wire, the Xbox 360® HDMI cable brings you HD entertainment in all its eye-popping glory. High-def movies and TV from Xbox LIVE and Netflix, plus all your favorite HD games, come through in picture perfect clarity... |
 All-in-One Travel Power Plug Adapter for US, UK, EU, AU List Price: Sale Price: $3.23 You save: $16.76 (84%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionOne adapter fits most countries. You may use only one plug at a time with this product. Do not connect more than one plug at a time. Please note that this adapter *does not* convert voltage, it modifies outlets to fit different plugs... |
 AudioQuest Alpha-Snake audio cable - RCA plugs 1m (3.28') stereo pair List Price: Sale Price: $24.75 You save: $0.25 (1%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionAudioQuest Alpha-Snake audio cable - RCA plugs 1m (3.28') stereo pair |
 SignaMax 5-Port 10/100 Unmanaged Desktop Mini Switch List Price: Sale Price: $25.53 You save: $1.83 (7%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionSignamax Connectivity Systems' Desktop Switches makes it easy to increase user capacity and let 10 and 100 Mbps devices directly communicate with each other. Full duplex mode multiplies total network capacity by providing up to 200 Mbps bandwidth per port rather than sharing 100 Mbps bandwidth between hub users, and segments networks for improved performance by forwarding traffic only to the users to whom the message was sent... |
![AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters)[Supports 3D + Audio Return Channel][OLD MODEL]](http://www.verticalmusictv.com/media/images/i/41HvrDRBhDL._SL75_.jpg)
![AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters) [Supports 3D + Audio Return Channel]](http://www.verticalmusictv.com/media/images/i/41nAsytjSsL._SL75_.jpg)
![AmazonBasics High Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 Feet / 2.0 Meters) - Supports Ethernet, 3D, and Audio Return [NEW MODEL]](http://www.verticalmusictv.com/media/images/i/417qWBWXqYL._SL75_.jpg)