Vocabulary Flashcards
CPU
The Central Processing Unit. The brain of the computer, it does all of the calculations and data processing.
RAM
Random Access Memory. The computers short term memory.
Hard Drive
It is a long term memory component that holds all of our data, which can include music, pictures, applications
Address Bus
Connects the CPU to the MCC and sends over the location of the data, but not the data itself
ATA
The most common interface that hard drives use to connect to our system
ATX
(Advanced Technology eXtended)
The most common form factor for motherboards
Backward Compatible
It means older hardware works with newer hardware
BIOS
(Basic Input Output Services): The BIOS is software that helps initialize the hardware in our computer and gets our operating system up and running
BYOD
(Bring Your Own Device): Refers to the practice of allowing people to use their own personal devices for work
Cache
The assigned stored location for recently or frequently accessed data; on a mobile app it is where anything that was changed or created with that app is stored
Charge Cycle
One full charge and discharge of a battery
Chipset
It decides how components talk to each other on our machine
Clock cycle
When you send a voltage to the clock wire
Clock Speed
The maximum number of clock cycles that it can handle in a set in a certain time period
Clock Wire
When you send or receive data, it sends a voltage to that clock wire to let the CPU know it can start doing calculations
CPU Sockets
A CPU socket is a series of pins that connect a CPU’s processor to the PC’s motherboard
Data Sizes
Metrics that refer to data sizes including bit, byte, kilobyte, kibibyte, and megabyte
DDR SDRAM
(Double Data Rate SDRAM): A type of RAM that is faster, takes up less power, and has a larger capacity than earlier SDRAM versions
Desktop
The main screen where we can navigate our files, folders, and applications
DIMM
Dual Inline Memory Module
Display Port
Port which also outputs audio and video
DRAM
Dynamic Random Access Memory
Drivers
The drivers contain the instructions our CPU needs to understand external devices like keyboards, webcams, printers
DVI
DVI cables generally just output video
Electrostatic Discharge
Electrostatic discharge is a sudden and momentary flow of electric current between two electrically charged objects caused by contact, an electrical short or dielectric breakdown
EDB
External Data Bus (EDB): It’s a row of wires that interconnect the parts of our computer
Factory Reset
Factory reset: Resetting a device to the settings it came with from the factory
Form Factor
Form factor: A mathematical way to compensate for irregularities in the shape of an object by using a ratio between its volume and height
Hard Drive
Hard drive: It is a long term memory component that holds all of our data, which can include music, pictures, applications
Hardware
Hardware: External or internal devices and equipment that help you perform major functions
HDD
HDD (Hard disk drive): Hard disk drives, or HDDs, use a spinning platter and a mechanical arm to read and write information
HHD
Hybrid Hard Drives
HDMI
HDMI: A type of cable that outputs both video and audio
Heatsink
Heatsink: It is used to dissipate heat from our CPU
Instruction Set
Instruction set: A list of instructions that our CPU is able to run
ITX
ITX (Information Technology eXtended): A form factor for motherboards that is much smaller than ATX boards
LGA
Land Grid Array (LGA): It is a type of CPU socket that stick out of the motherboard
Lightning Adaptor
Lightning adaptor: One of the standard power, data and display connector types used in mobile devices
Mb/s
Mb/s: megabit per second, which is a unit of data transfer rate
MCC
Memory controller chip (MCC): A bridge between the CPU and the RAM
Micro Display Port
Micro display port: One of the standard power, data and display connector types used in mobile devices
Micro HDMI
Micro HDMI: One of the standard power, data and display connector types used in mobile devices
Micro USB
Micro USB: One of the standard power, data and display connector types used in mobile devices
Mini HDMI
Mini HDMI: One of the standard power, data and display connector types used in mobile devices
Mini USB
Mini USB: One of the standard power, data and display connector types used in mobile devices
Motherboard
Motherboard: The body or circulatory system of the computer that connects all the pieces together
Northbridge
Northbridge: interconnects stuff like RAM and video cards
NVMe
NVMe (NVM Express): interface standard which allows greater throughput of data and increased efficiency
Overclocking
Overclocking: it increases the rate of your CPU clock cycles in order to perform more tasks
PCI Express
PCI Express: Peripheral Component Interconnect Express
Peripherals
Peripherals: the external devices which we connect to our computer that add functionality, like: a mouse, a keyboard, and a monitor
PGA
Pin Grid Array (PGA): CPU socket where the pins are located on the processor itself
Ports
Ports: Connection points that we can connect devices to that extend the functionality of our computer
POST
POST (Power On Self Test): It figures out what hardware is on the computer
Power Supply
Power supply: Converts electricity from our wall outlet onto a format that our computer can use
Programs
Programs: Basic instructions that tell the computer what to do
Registers
Registers: An accessible location for storing the data that our CPU works with
Reimaging
Reimaging: The process of reimaging involves wiping and reinstalling an operating system using a disk image which is a copy of an operating system
RMA
Return merchandise authorization (RMA): The process of receiving returned merchandise and authorizing a refund
ROM
ROM chip (Read Only Memory): A read-only memory chip where the BIOS is stored
RPM
RPM: Revolutions per minute
Safe Operating Temperature
Safe operating temperature: The temperature range in which rechargeable batteries must be kept in order to avoid demanage
SATA
SATA: The most popular serial ATA drive, which uses one cable for data transfers
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment
SDRAM
SDRAM: It stands for Synchronous DRAM, this type of RAM is synchronized to our systems’ clock speed allowing quicker processing of data
SOC
SOC (System On a Chip): Packs the CPU, Ram, and sometimes even the storage onto a single chip
Southbridge
Southbridge: It maintains our IO or input/output controllers, like hard drives and USB devices that input and output data
SSD
SSD: Solid State Drive
Standoffs
Standoffs: Used to raise and attach your motherboard to the case
Thermal Paste
Thermal paste: A substance used to better connect our CPU and heat sink, so the heat transfers from to the other better
Type-C Connector
Type-C connector: A type of USB connector meant to replace many peripheral connections
UEFI
UEFI: United Extensible Firmware Interface
USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus): A connection standard for connecting peripherals to devices such as computers
USB-C Adapter
USB-C adapter: One of the standard power, data and display connector types used in mobile devices
