Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does my add-on PCI card not fit in the PCI slot?

A: As with memory with differing voltages, PCI cards and slots that have specific voltage requirements are keyed differently. Until the end of 2001, most cards were 5 volts (V). With the industry acceptance of the PCI 2.2 specification however, 3.3-V cards are becoming more common. Currently, there are three types of PCI cards in regard to voltage: 5-V, 3.3-V, and universal. A universal PCI card works in either a 5-V or 3.3-V, so the PCI slot does not matter. Also, a PCI card that is 5 V only works in a 5-V slot, and a 3.3-V PCI card only works in a 3.3-V slot. The following illustration clarifies this.