2.1.3 Peripheral Devices - Quick Notes
I/O Ports
I/O ports connect devices to the PC through cables. These ports can be on the motherboard or on an expansion card, and they may be located on the front or rear of the case.
Common ports include HDMI, DVI, SATA, USB, RJ-45, and audio.
| Port | Type | Use |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI | Video + Audio | Monitor/display output |
| DVI | Video only | Monitor/display output |
| SATA | Storage interface | Hard drives, SSDs, optical drives |
| USB | Universal serial | Keyboards, mice, drives, and most peripherals |
| RJ-45 | Network | Ethernet/wired network connection |
| Audio Ports | Analog audio | Speakers, mic, line-in (color-coded) |
Interfaces, Ports, and Connectors
- Port: the external connection point on the PC.
- Connector: the end of the cable that plugs into the port.
- Most modern connectors are asymmetric, keyed, or reversible to prevent incorrect insertion.
Binary Units
Know the difference between bits and bytes:
- bit (b): a single 0 or 1.
- byte (B): 8 bits.
- Lowercase b means bit, and uppercase B means byte. This matters when comparing transfer rates.
Transfer Rate Units
- Kb/s or KB/s: kilobits or kilobytes per second.
- Mb/s or MB/s: megabits or megabytes per second.
- Gb/s or GB/s: gigabits or gigabytes per second.