Buying Guide - PCI Expansion Cards
Up to this point, pretty much every component we covered is a necessity for every computer. This page covers the plethora of expansion cards you can plug in to make your computer perform extra functions or support additional connections. These expansion cards are broken down into two different categories: Adapters (functionality) and Controllers (expandability). Adapters let you connect additional cables to your motherboard. Firewire and USB adapters are probably the most common. These cards provide extra ports to plug in devices if your motherboard runs out. If you have a mouse, keyboard, printer, and scanner all on USB interface, there's probably not much room for your external hard drive, digital camera, or mp3 player. Adding a 4-port USB adapter card can solve this problem. It gives you the space to connect 4 more devices. 56K Modem Cards, Ethernet Cards, Sound Cards, TV Tuner Cards, and Wireless Networking Cards are all part of this functionality family. Controller cards are used to handle extra drives (mainly optical or hard drives). You would need these cards if you don't have enough available connections (headers) on your motherboard or if there is an additional interface you'd like to use that your motherboard doesn't support. For example, let's say for your birthday you wanted a hard drive, specifically on an IDE interface because your motherboard doesn't support SerialATA. Murphy's law takes it's toll and your aunt Victoria gives you a SerialATA hard drive she bought on eBay. It's brand new but not returnable, so you have 3 options: sell it and buy what you wanted, let it sit on a shelf until you get a new motherboard that supports it (note to self: don't ask aunt Victoria for new motherboard), or spend $20 on a SerialATA controller card. It's your call, but in some situations, it's the best option. You could also be the type that collects friends' old hard drives. They upgrade, but don't have room for their old 40gb IDE drive, so you are happy to take it off their hands. You might need an IDE controller card if the ports on your motherboard are already full.
Find your Expansion Cards
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