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What's the Definition of a Data Bus?
A bus is the wires that send information around inside of a computer
By Tom Nelson Tom Nelson Writer Tom Nelson is an engineer, programmer, network manager, and computer network and systems designer who has written for Other World Computing,and others. Tom is also president of Coyote Moon, Inc., a Macintosh and Windows consulting firm. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 4, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apple Macs iPad In computer parlance, a data bus—also called a processor bus, front side bus, frontside bus or backside bus—is a group of electrical wires that sends information (data) between two or more components. The Intel processor in the current line of Macs, for example, uses a 64-bit data bus to connect the processor to its memory. Bus Width
Catalin Lungu / EyeEm. A data bus has many different defining characteristics, but one of the most important is its width. The width of a data bus refers to the number of bits (electrical wires) that make up the bus. Common data bus widths include 1-, 4-, 8-, 16-, 32-, and 64-bit. When manufacturers refer to the number of bits a processor uses, such as “This computer uses a 64-bit processor,” they are referring to the width of the front side data bus, the bus that connects the processor to its main memory. Other types of data buses used in computers include the backside bus, which connects the processor to the dedicated cache memory. A data bus is typically governed by a bus controller that regulates the speed of information between components. Generally, everything needs to travel at the same speed within a computer and nothing can travel faster than the CPU. Bus controllers keep things moving at the same speed. Early Macs used a 16-bit data bus; the original Macintosh used a Motorola 68000 processor. Newer Macs use 64-bit buses. Types of Buses
A data bus can operate as a serial or a parallel bus. Serial buses—like USB and FireWire connections—use a single wire to both send and receive information between components. Parallel buses—like SCSI connections—use many wires to communicate between components. Those buses may be internal to the processor or external, relative to a given component being connected. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire HWiNFO v7.30 Review (A Free System Information Program) What's the Difference Between 32-Bit and 64-Bit? Can I Upgrade or Downgrade to Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6)? What Is SCSI? (Small Computer System Interface) Speccy v1.32.803 Review (A Free SysInfo Tool) What Is a Registry Value? What Is a CPU? (Central Processing Unit) What Is Overclocking? Should You Ever Overclock Your Computer? Task Manager (What It Is & How to Use It) Windows 7: Editions, Service Packs, Licenses, and More Windows 8: Editions, Updates, Licenses, & More What Is Seek Time? (Definition of an HDD's Seek Time) What Is Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)? How to Check Computer Specs CMOS: What It Is and What It's For What Are Expansion Slots? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies