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Computer Organization and Architecture
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Microprocessor
An integrated circuit that contains all the functions of a central processing unit (CPU) on a single chip or a few chips.
Solid-State Drive (SSD)
A storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data persistently, typically using flash memory.
Bluetooth
A wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, and building personal area networks (PANs).
Register
A small amount of storage available on the CPU whose contents can be quickly accessed. Registers are used for storing temporary data and control information.
MMU (Memory Management Unit)
A hardware component that handles virtual to physical address translations and controls the flow of data between the CPU and RAM.
Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)
The part of the computer architecture that is viewable by a programmer. It consists of the programming model and the instruction set.
Power Supply Unit (PSU)
Converts main AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of a computer.
Virtualization
The process of creating a software-based, or virtual, representation of something, such as virtual hardware platforms, storage devices, and computer network resources.
SATA (Serial ATA)
A computer bus interface that connects host bus adapters to mass storage devices such as hard disk drives, optical drives, and solid-state drives.
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks)
A data storage virtualization technology that combines multiple physical disk drive components into one or more logical units for the purposes of data redundancy, performance improvement, or both.
Multiprocessing
The use of two or more CPUs within a single computer system. The CPUs can be on a single chip or on multiple chips.
Northbridge
A chip in the core logic chipset architecture responsible for communicating with the CPU and handling high-speed tasks such as RAM and graphics communication.
Motherboard
The main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer that holds many of the crucial electronic components of the system, and provides connectors for other peripherals.
Heat sink
A passive heat exchanger that transfers the heat generated by an electronic or a mechanical device to a fluid medium, often air or a liquid coolant, where it is dissipated away from the device.
Optical Drive
A disc drive that uses laser light or electromagnetic waves within or near the visible light spectrum as part of the process of reading or writing data to or from optical discs.
DVI (Digital Visual Interface)
A video display interface designed to maximize the quality of flat panel LCD monitors and modern video graphics cards. It was widespread for its support for a wider range of resolutions.
Control Unit
The part of the CPU that directs its operation. It interprets instructions from memory and executes them, controlling the flow of data to and from the ALU.
ROM (Read-Only Memory)
Non-volatile memory used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be dynamically modified or (in many cases) written to.
Southbridge
A chip that manages the slower capabilities of the motherboard in a core logic chipset, such as USB, SATA, and PCI communications.
Ethernet
A family of computer networking technologies commonly used in local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN) and wide area networks (WAN).
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
A specialized processor designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display device.
L1 Cache
The fastest cache memory that is usually built onto the processor chip and directly accessed by the CPU.
VGA (Video Graphics Array)
A video display controller and its associated standard designed to display 256 different colors and a resolution of 640x480.
Thunderbolt
A hardware interface developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple that combines data, video, audio, and power in a single connection.
ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
Performs arithmetic and logical operations on the operands in computer instruction words.
Virtual Memory
An abstraction that provides an 'as if' behavior of a larger memory by using disk storage to extend the computer's main memory.
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
A proprietary audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed video data and compressed or uncompressed digital audio data from an HDMI-compliant source device.
Multithreading
The ability of a central processing unit (CPU), or a single core in a multi-core processor, to execute multiple processes or threads concurrently.
Computer Bus
A communication system that transfers data between components inside a computer, or between computers. This expression covers all related hardware components (wire, optical fiber, etc.) and software, including communication protocols.
Flash Memory
An electronic non-volatile computer memory storage medium that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed.
Machine Code
A computer programming language consisting of binary or hexadecimal instructions which a computer can respond to directly.
SRAM (Static Random-Access Memory)
A type of volatile memory that uses bistable latching circuitry to store a bit. It is a faster and more reliable form of RAM that does not require refreshing.
DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access Memory)
A type of volatile memory that stores each bit of data in a separate capacitor. It is widely used because of its simple structure and low cost.
Overclocking
The process of increasing the clock rate of a computer to exceed that certified by the manufacturer. This can result in improved performance.
Cache Memory
A small, fast type of volatile computer memory that provides high-speed data access to a processor and stores frequently used computer programs, applications, and data.
Wi-Fi
A technology for wireless local area networking with devices based on the IEEE 802.11 standards.
PSU (Power Supply Unit)
Provides the necessary electrical power to run the computer, converting the AC power from the wall outlet into DC power for the computer components.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
A data storage device that uses magnetic storage to store and retrieve digital information using one or more rigid rapidly rotating disks coated with magnetic material.
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)
Firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process and to provide runtime services for operating systems and programs.
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
An industry standard for cables, connectors, and protocols for connection, communication, and power supply between computers and devices.
PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express)
A high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard designed to replace older bus standards like PCI, PCI-X, and AGP.
DisplayPort
A digital display interface developed by a consortium of PC and chip manufacturers and standardized by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA).
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The primary component of a computer that performs most of the processing inside a computer. It interprets and executes instructions from hardware and software.
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