| Definition | Explanation |
| 3D-kaart | Lookup graphics card |
| BIOS | The BIOS is boot firmware, designed to be the first code run by a PC when powered on. The initial function of the BIOS is to identify, test, and initialize system devices such as the video display card, hard disk, floppy disk and other hardware. The BIOS prepares the machine for a known state, so that software stored on compatible media can be loaded, executed, and given control of the PC. |
| Clock rate | The clock rate is the fundamental rate in cycles per second (measured in hertz) for the frequency of the clock in any synchronous circuit. Example 100 Mhz means 100 million cycles per second. 3 GHz means 3 billion cycles per second. |
| Crossfire | The technology allows up to two graphics cards to be used in a single computer to improve graphics performance. Only for the AMD Ati brand. |
| CrossfireX | The technology allows up to four graphics cards to be used in a single computer to improve graphics performance. Only for the AMD Ati brand. |
| Cuda | CUDA (an acronym for Compute Unified Device Architecture) is a parallel computing architecture developed by NVIDIA. CUDA is the computing engine in NVIDIA graphics processing units or GPUs, it allows the graphics card to perform other functions then just 3d calculations (such as physics). |
| Driver | Software that “learns” the Operating System how to control the hardware. |
| dual channel | Dual-channel architecture describes a technology that theoretically doubles data throughput from the memory to the memory controller |
| Floppy | Old method for storing data, still used for a BIOS flash and some RAID drivers. |
| Front side bus | Connection (speed) for all components connected to the Northbridge (RAM, CPU) (Only Intel, pre-LGA1366 socket) |
| Graphics Card | A graphics card, or gpu (video adapter, graphics-accelerator card, display adapter) is an expansion card whose function is to generate and output images to a display. Many video cards offer added functions, such as accelerated rendering of 3D scenes, video capture, TV-tuner adapter, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 decoding, FireWire, light pen, TV output, or the ability to connect multiple monitors, while other modern high performance cards are used for more graphically demanding purposes such as PC games. |
| Latency | Delay. Used to indicate the time between operation X and Y. Harddrives are reported in milliseconds, memory is reported in nanoseconds. |
| MegaHertz | Measure for the so called clock rate. Each cycle allows a calculation. |
| memory | Memory allows the computer to store data for future usage. Article on memory. |
| Memory bandwith | Amount of throughput regarding the memory. Think of it as a highway between two cities. An increase in capacity will not increase the overall speed, but when lacking it will have a negative effect on the speed. |
| Memory Controller | Onderdeel van een chip (CPU of NB) die voor de aansturing van het geheugen dient. |
| Memory Divider | A Memory divider is a ratio which is used to determine the operating clock frequency of computer memory in accordance with Front Side Bus frequency, if memory system is dependent on FSB clock speed. Along with memory latency timings, memory dividers are extensively used in overclocking memory sub-system to find stable, working memory states at higher FSB frequencies. Memory Divider is also commonly referred as "DRAM:FSB Ratio". |
| Modding | Modding is a slang expression that is derived from the verb "modify". Modding refers to the act of modifying a piece of hardware or software or anything else for that matter, to perform a function not originally conceived or intended by the designer. The term modding is often used within the computer game community, particularly in regard to creating new or altered content and sharing that via the web. It may also be applied to the overclocking of computers in order to increase the frequency at the which the CPU operates. Case modding is also a popular activity amongst many computer enthusiasts which involves the customization of a computer chassis or the installation of water cooling technology |
| Modular | Modular power supply; Allows the user to remove unused cables from the units (improves airflow). |
| Motherboard | A motherboard is the Printed Circuit Board which holds the principal components in a computer and through which peripheral devices can be attached by the means of an adapter. The motherboard is sometimes alternatively known as the main board, system board, or casually shortened to mobo. |
| North bridge | Motherboard chip that provides communication between CPU, RAM, and PCI-E (or AGP) slots/chips. |
| Overclocking | Overclocking is the process of running a computer component at a higher clock rate (more clock cycles per second) than it was designed for or was specified by the manufacturer |
| PCI-E Lanes | Aantal beschikbare banen voor het doorgeven van data voor een PCI-e slo (types 1x, 4x, 8x en 16x) |
| Power Supply | Component that provides a stable source of electricity to your pc at the correct voltages. Power supply is a reference to a source of electrical power. A device or system that supplies electrical or other types of energy to an output load or group of loads is called a power supply unit or PSU. |
| Processor | The Central Processing Unit (CPU) or processor is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, and is the primary element carrying out the computer's functions. Article on processor. |
| Raid | Alternative method to store data on multiple harddrives. Types: RAID0, 1, 5, 10, JOBD |
| Resolution | The display resolution of a digital television or display device typically refers to the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. A higher resolution provides more usable space on your desktop (since windows, etc stay the same size if you do not resize them). |
| SLI | The technology allows two or more graphics cards to be used in a single computer to improve graphics performance. Only for the Nvidia brand. |
| Solid State Drive | New type of harddive. A solid-state drive (SSD) is a data storage device that uses solid-state memory to store persistent data |
| Soundcard | Specialized card for sound calculations. Benefits are reduced load on the cpu and increased sound quality. |
| South bridge | Motherboard chip that provides communication between component such as SATA (harddrives) and USB (external dives) and sometimes RAID (harddrive setup chip). |
| TDP | The thermal design power (TDP), sometimes called thermal design point, represents the maximum amount of power the cooling system in a computer is required to dissipate. For example, a laptop's CPU cooling system may be designed for a 20 watt TDP, which means that it can dissipate up to 20 watts of heat without exceeding the maximum junction temperature for the computer chip. Higher means more power usage. |
| Triple Channel | Triple-channel architecture describes a technology that theoretically triples data throughput from the memory to the memory controller |
| USB | USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a way of setting up communication between a computer and peripheral devices (such as mouse, keyboard, webcam, etc) |
| Videocard | Lookup graphics card |
| X-fi | Soundchip on soundcards from manufacturer create (X Fi series), aimed at pc gaming. |
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