Input and Output Ports (P1, P2)

Input and output ports are found on the back of any computer. These ports are part of the motherboard and have a variety of uses and a variety of ports. The picture below depicts the location and look of many of the ports.

Labeled rear side of a computer

·         The power input is a three pronged plug that is often referred to as the “kettle plug” and connects directly into the PSU. It carries 12V and supplies power to the computer.

·         The PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports are used by the mouse and keyboard to relay what they are doing to the motherboard for the computer to interpret.

·         USB ports are the most widely used form of connection by external devices as it is quick, powered and universal so it can be used in any USB port.

·         The Integrated Serial Port is an old fashioned connection used to dial-up a connection through the modem.

·         The audio ports are the three connections used to connect a speaker or 5.1 surround sound speaker system to the motherboard which will allow music played on the computer to be played through the speakers.

·         S-Video ports are used to produce graphics on a monitor; however it does not produce very good graphics as this connection does not allow high resolution images.

·         DVI ports are a modern video connection used to generate images on a screen and it can produce the highest resolution graphics so it is one of the best connectors around.

·         The Ethernet port on the PCI modem card is used to connect the modem card to the internet and the modem card allows the Ethernet port to connect.

·         PCI USB card is simply a PCI card that allows you to connect more USB devices to your computer than simply the ones on the back of the motherboard.

·         PCI sound card allows you to connect a better specification of speakers to your PC via a faster transfer rate.

·         The VGA port allows the computer to connect to a monitor but as it only sends an analogue signal it is not able to perform as well as the DVI port.

·         Parallel ports allow you to connect external devices, such as printers, to your computer and use them through your PC.