Jargon Buster
HARDWARE
enables multiple computers to be
attached to a single keyboard, monitor,
and mouse or other input device.L
LAN/WLAN – Local Area Network /
Wireless Local Area Network. A private
local network of computers usually
connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Logitech – A highly successful Swiss
computer peripherals company
specializing in mice, headsets,
keyboards and computer speakers.M
MAC address – A code built into
every network-capable port that
uniquely identifies each device
connection. Usually takes the form of
six pairs of hexadecimal digits
separated by a comma or dash.
Mechanical keyboard – A type of
keyboard that uses microswitches
instead of the default rubber domes for
actuation. They tend to provide a formof tactile and audio feedback that
certain users find satisfying.
Megahertz – 1000KHz. A unit of
computing speed. Specifies speeds on
memory as well as on older processors.
MLC – Multi Level Cell. Normally refers
to a NAND memory implementation.
Cheaper but less durable than SLC.
MSI – Micro-Star International, a
Taiwanese corporation that makes just
about any kind of computing hardware
you can imagine.
Motherboard – The centerpiece of a
PC system and the place where all the
other components are installed.N
NAND flash memory – The type
of memory used in SSDs.
NZXT – An American hardware
company known for cases and
components, such as liquid coolers.
Nvidia GTX – In Nvidia’s current
nomenclature, GTX refers to consumer
graphics cards based on its last-
generation Pascal and previous Maxwellarchitectures. The Nvidia GTX 1080 and
big brother 1080 Ti were the first Nvidia
cards able to provide 4K gaming at
good framerates, while the 1070 covers
gaming needs at 1080 and 1440
resolutions and high detail.
Nvidia RTX – Featuring the new
Turing architecture, Nvidia’s RTX series
of graphics cards, including the RTX
2080 and higher-performance
RTX 2080 Ti, are the current top shelf
when it comes to performance in
consumer graphics cards, both in
real-world and potential numbers. With
Turing, 50% higher efficiency per
core, faster memory, and dedicated ray
tracing and AI hardware, as well as
jumps of over 20 frames per second,
are possible in many games.O
OLED – Organic Light Emitting Diode.
An advanced screen technology that
offers low power, high performance and
amazing image quality. Increasingly
found on smartphones, such as the
iPhone XS and Samsung Galaxy S9, as
well as on large screen TVs.
Overclocking – Pushing a component
beyond its rated specifications to
improve its performance.P
PCB – Printed Circuit Board. The
backboard on which components suchMechanical keyboardSSDMotherboard