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Conventional PCI 3.0
Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

Q: What is the difference between version 2.3 and version 3.0 of the Conventional PCI™ specification? 

Q: How do ECNs affect the base specification? What ECNs were incorporated into the Conventional PCI 3.0 specification?

Q: What is a Universal Card? Does version 3.0 support Universal Cards?

Q: Do other PCI specifications rely on the Conventional PCI 3.0 specification?

Q: When will the next compliance workshop be held to test for PCI 3.0 compliance? 

Q: How does a customer know whether or not a product is compliant with the current specification? 

Q: Where can I get version 3.0 of the Conventional PCI specification? 

Q: How do I get technical support for the PCI 3.0 specification? 

Answers

Q: What is the difference between version 2.3 and version 3.0 of the Conventional PCI™ specification?
A: Version 3.0 is an evolutionary release of the PCI specification that includes edits to provide better readability and incorporate Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) that have been developed since the release of version 2.3. The Conventional PCI 3.0 specification also completes the migration to 3.3V-only slots by removing support for 5.0V-only keyed add-in cards. Version 3.0 is the current standard for Conventional PCI, to which vendors should be developing products

Q: How do ECNs affect the base specification? What ECNs were incorporated into the Conventional PCI 3.0 specification?
A: ECNs (Engineering Change Notifications) are improvements to the specification that are officially approved, but don’t demand a full-scale revision to the specification. The list of ECNs that were incorporated into version 3.0 of the specification is included within the specification.

Q: What is a Universal Card? Does version 3.0 support Universal Cards?
A: Universal Cards are cards that have two keys, which provide a means for vendors to design one card that supports both 3.3V and 5.0V slots. Version 3.0 of the PCI specification removes support for 5.0V-only adapter slots. However, both the Universal Cards and 3.3V Cards continue to be supported by the Conventional PCI 3.0 specification.

Q: Do other PCI specifications rely on the Conventional PCI 3.0 specification?
A: PCI Version 3.0 continues to provide the backbone technology for multiple bus specifications: PCI-X™, PCI Hot-Plug™, Low Profile PCI, and Mini PCI™.

Q: When will the next compliance workshop be held to test for PCI 3.0 compliance?
A: See the latest schedule of compliance workshops and their locations on the PCI-SIG website.

Q: How does a customer know whether or not a product is compliant with the current specification?
A: Developers of PCI products are bound by an honor code to ensure that their products are compliant to the most current version of the PCI specification. A list of products that have passed Compliance and Interoperability testing at previous Compliance Workshops, known as The Integrator’s List, is available to members on the PCI-SIG website.

Q: Where can I get version 3.0 of the Conventional PCI specification?
A: All specifications are available online to PCI-SIG members. They can also be ordered from the PCI-SIG by calling +1 503-291-2569.

Q: How do I get technical support for the PCI 3.0 specification?
A: Technical support is one of the many benefits of membership. Send your questions to Technical Support.


 

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