companies and ISPs to end users and
often built into a small network router.
Cache – A small amount of very
high-speed memory that’s used to keep
frequently accessed data handy for the
CPU. A properly managed and sized
cache has an outsized effect on
system performance.
Case – An enclosure that houses all
the parts of a PC.
CD-R – Recordable Compact Disc.
Chipset – The series of integrated
circuits that manages the functions
of a motherboard.
Clock speed – The rate at which a
computer performs calculation, usually
measured in megahertz (MHz) or
gigahertz (GHz).
Codec – Short for coder-decoder. A
codec is software or hardware that
encodes and decodes data streams.
Core – The computational center of a
processor, usually one of a group of up
to six in a modern desktop CPU.
Corsair – Premium computer
peripheral supplier based in Fremont,
California and known for quality DRAM
products, keyboards, water-cooling
systems, and high-fashion tower cases.
CPU – Central Processing Unit. The
computation center of a computer,
comprised of one or more cores.
Crossover Ethernet Cable – A
length of RJ-45 networking cable with a
special wiring configuration that enables
routers to be daisy chained together via
a specially labelled or autosensing
Ethernet port.D
Das Keyboard – A boutique Austin,
Texas-based hardware company that
produces a range of well-received
high-quality mechanical keyboards.
DHCP – Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol. An automatic IP addressing
system used on modern TCP/IPnetworks and the internet that provides
each computer with an IP address
without requiring a manually entered or
fixed-number identification scheme.
Widely used by internet access
hardware such as network routers.
DDR – Double Data Rate memory.
Available in many speeds and sizes.
DisplayPort – DisplayPort is a
high-performance digital video
connector designed for speedy refresh
rates and high resolutions.
DMA – Direct Memory Access. Refers
to devices that can directly utilize
system memory without draining
processor resources.
DPI – Dots Per Inch. Used to determine
printing and screen resolution.
Drive bay – A place inside a computer
case provided to install a hard drive.
Comes in 5.25-inch and 3.5-inch sizes.
DRAM – Dynamic RAM. DRAM
refreshes constantly to hold data. It’s
slower than static RAM, but cheaper.
Driver – The specialized software that
controls the low-level functions of
hardware components, usually provided
by the component manufacturer or
occasionally by the OS vendor.E
E-ATX – Extended ATX. Extra-large
ATX size used for deluxe motherboards
and computer cases.F
FAT – File Allocation Table. A family of
robust but simple filing systems used by
many OS implementations, such as
MS-DOS, as well as standalone
hardware such as printers or IP
cameras. FAT files often have limitations
on naming conventions and size.
Firewall – A software or hardware
network barrier that protects users
from outside attacks and surveillance.
Firmware – Low-level software built
into a device’s non-volatile memory
(memory which retains data even if the
power is switched off). It communicates
with OS drivers and other hardware.
FLOPS – Floating Point Operations Per
Second. A measure of computational
performance that leans on complex
floating-point operations. GPUs are
particularly robust at performing these,
outperforming even high-end CPUs by
several orders of magnitude.
FreeSync – An AMD-created, but
otherwise free and open, monitor
variable sync standard, compatible with
VESA’s Adaptive Sync protocol.
Essentially, rather than the monitor
refreshing at a steady rate, its refreshCaseCPUs