TestOut LabSim A+ Certification Practice Exam

Which expansion buses are most commonly used for video cards in modern computer systems?

1. ISA; PCI

2. PCI Express; AGP

3. PCI; PCI-X

4. USB; Thunderbolt

The correct answer is: PCI Express; AGP

The most common expansion buses used for video cards in modern computer systems are PCI Express and AGP. PCI Express, in particular, has become the dominant interface due to its high bandwidth and ability to support multiple lanes. This allows for faster data transfer rates, which are essential for the performance of modern graphics cards, especially in gaming and intensive graphical applications. AGP, or Accelerated Graphics Port, was once a popular interface specifically designed for graphics cards. Although it has largely been replaced by PCI Express, it is historically significant in the evolution of video card connections, as it provided a direct connection from the graphics card to the motherboard, improving performance compared to older standards like PCI. The other options listed reflect expansion buses that are either outdated or not primarily used for video cards. ISA and PCI are earlier standards that have been largely eclipsed by PCI Express. USB and Thunderbolt, while capable of connecting peripherals, are not traditional expansion buses for video cards. USB is primarily used for input/output devices, and Thunderbolt is more commonly associated with high-speed data transfer for external devices rather than for direct graphics card connections.