ITN 107 - Ports and Power Supply Connectors

VGA (Video Graphics Array)

15-pin analog video port used for connecting displays to computers. Also called DB-15, DB15 port, DE15 port, or HD15 port.

DVI (Digital Video Interface) port

Transmits digital or analog video signals and supports high-definition resolutions. It is commonly used for connecting monitors and projectors.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port

Transmits digital video and audio (not analog transmissions) and is often used to connect to home theater equipment

Display port

Transmits digital video AND audio (not analog transmissions) and is slowly replacing VGA and DVI ports on personal computers

Thunderbolt 3 port

Transmits video, data, and power on the same port and cable. Popular with Apple computers.

Audio ports (also called sound ports)

Connects audio devices such as speakers and microphones, allowing for sound input and output on desktops and laptops.

SPDIF (Sony-Philips Digital Interface) sound port

Connects to an external home theater audio system, providing digital audio output and the best signal quality. ____ posts always carry digital audio and can work with electrical or optical cable.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) port

Multipurpose bus and connector standards used for internal and external ports for a variety of devices.

external Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (eSATA) port

A port for external drives based on the Serial Advanced Technology Attachment interface, allowing for high-speed data transfer between the computer and external storage devices.

PS/2 port

Also called a mini-DIN port, is a round 6-pin port used by a keyboard or mouse. The purple port is for the keyboard and the green port is for the mouse.

Serial port

Sometimes called a DB9 port, is a 9-pin male port used on older computers. Data travels serially, one bit at a time, through the port.

Modem port

Also called an RJ-11 port, used to connect a modem to a telephone line for dial-up internet access.

Network port

Also called an Ethernet port or an RJ-45 port, used by a network cable to connect to the wired network.

Loopback plug

Used to test a network port in a computer or other device to make sure the port is working

20-pin P1 connector

Main motherboard connector used in the early ATX systems

24-pin P1 connector

The main motherboard power connector used today.

20+4 pin P1 connector

This connector has 4 pins removed so the connector can fit into a 20-pin P1 motherboard connector

4-pin 12 V connector

An auxiliary motherboard connector, which is used for extra 12 V power to the processor

8-pin 12 V connector

An auxiliary motherboard connector, which is used for an extra 12 V power to the processor, providing more power than the older 4-pin auxiliary connector

4-pin Molex connector

Used for older IDE drives and some newer SATA drives, and to provide extra power to video cards. It can provide +5 V and +12 V to the device

15-pin SATA power connector

Used for SATA (Serial ATA) drives. It can provide +3.3 V, +5 V, and +12 V, although +3.3 V is seldom used

Peripheral Component Interconnect express (PCIe) 6-pin connector

Provides an extra +12 V for high-end video cards using PCI Express.

Peripheral Component Interconnect express (PCIe) 8-pin connector

Provides an extra +12 V for high-end video cards using PCI Express

Peripheral Component Interconnect express (PCIe) 6/8-pin connector

Used by high-end video cards with PCIe x16 slots to provide extra voltage to the card; The connector can accommodate six or eight hole ports

FireWire Connector

A high-speed data transfer interface used for connecting devices like digital cameras and external hard drives.