A backward compatible connector assembly that facilitates electrical communication between computer subsystems includes a receptacle, a receiver assembly and a conductor array. The receptacle includes a plurality of first connectors having a first connector length, and a plurality of interspersed second connectors having a second connector length that differs from the first connector length. The first connectors include data pins and the second connectors can include ground pins for single-ended signaling. Alternatively, the second connectors can include a plurality of data pins to form differential pairs of connectors for low voltage differential signaling. The receiver assembly includes first connector receivers that receive the first connectors, and second connector receivers that receive the second connectors. The conductor array can include approximately 40 signal-bearing conductors that have interspersed ground lines or signal-bearing lines. The first connector receivers have a first receiver depth that is different than a second receiver depth of the second connector receivers. The connector assembly can include 40 first connectors and first connector receivers, and 38 second connectors and second connector receivers.