Computer board and card edge connectors are used inside personal computers (PCs) to connect hard drives, compact disc (CD) drives, and serial and parallel ports to a computer motherboard. Card edge connectors are edge-on printed circuit board (PCB) connectors for single or double-sided PC boards. These computer board connectors are sometimes called header connectors, board-to-board connectors, card-to-board connectors, PC edge connectors, or PC board connectors. Regardless of which name is used, computer board and card edge connectors are designed to provide an electrical connection to a computer or related electronic device.

There are many different types of computer board and card edge connectors. Dual edge SMT connectors incorporate surface mount technology (SMT) and can be used to transmit differential signals at data rates of up to 2.5 Gbit/s. These PC connectors are suitable for mezzanine card connections, board-to-board connections, and board-to-cable connections in a variety of automation, telecommunication, and data communication (datacom) applications. Header connectors differ in terms of gender and placement. A header connector can be male or female, and placed on either the top or the bottom of a printed circuit board (PCB). PC edge connectors require only a single electrical connector. Specialized edge connectors are designed for use with PC boards that consist of a plastic "box" that is open on one side. Pins on either side of the longer edges push into the middle of the open center. Other types of computer board and card edge connectors are also available.

Selecting computer board and card edge connectors requires an analysis of performance specifications such as operating temperature, maximum voltage, power pin placements and power requirements. It is also important to consider application requirements when selecting a card edge connector, PC edge connector, PC board connector, computer board connector, header connector, board-to-board connector, card-to-board connector, dual edge SMT connector, or PC connector. Manufacturers of computer board and card edge connectors are located across the United States and around the world, adhere to a variety of quality standards, and often use may use distributors to sell their products.