The two basic buses that are found on the motherboard are the
Local bus (system bus), and the
Expansion bus (external data bus).
The
Local Bus is a 32-bit internal path that connects the CPU directly to memory, video, and disk controllers. The local bus allows data transfer to and from the CPU to memory and peripherals at CPU speeds.
Prior to local-bus architecture, the microprocessor speeds outpaced the internal bus speeds, which created a narrow data stream in and out of the CPU and slowed the computer. Local bus architecture significantly improves data transfer rates and greatly reduces the I/O bottleneck because peripheral devices are bound only by the clock speed of the CPU.
Local bus architecture is utilized by PCI, VESA and PCMCIA buses.
The Expansion Bus is the external Data Bus that is connected to the PC expansion slots. The Expansion Bus has its own crystal which allows it to run at a different clock speed than the system bus. Expansion slots are used to add adapter cards for new devices to the PC.
8 Bit ISA (Industry standard architecture) has an 8 bit data path with a speed of 4.77 MHz, with 62 pins.
16 Bit ISA (Industry standard architecture) has a 16 bit data path with a speed of 8.33 MHz, with 98 pins.
When comparing a 16 bit ISA and a 32 bit EISA expansion slot you will find that it is virtually impossible to tell the difference between them cosmetically.
The difference is internally. The 16 bit slots are shallower than the 32 bit EISA slot. A 16 bit ISA card will work in a 32 bit EISA slot.
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