PIO
Updated: 04/26/2017 by Computer Hope
PIO, or programmed input/output, is a method of transferring data from a device to another device, utilizing the computer processor and not the memory or DMA (direct memory access). Because PIO modes utilize the computer processor, using PIO is slower than DMA.
| PIO Mode | Max Transfer Rate | ATA Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Mode 0 | 3.3 MB | ATA |
| Mode 1 | 5.2 MB | ATA |
| Mode 2 | 8.3 MB | ATA |
| Mode 3 | 11.1 MB | ATA-2 |
| Mode 4 | 16.6 MB | ATA-2 |
Note
There are no plans for a PIO Mode 5 (or anything beyond PIO Mode 4). However, some manufacturers have advertised computer or hardware with acceptance to PIO Mode 5.
ATA, Bus mastering, Computer acronyms, DMA, Hard drive terms, IDE