click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Hardware terms
Hardware Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Central Processing Unit(CPU) | The chip located inside the system unit of a computer |
| GHz-(gigahertz) | speed of a processor counted by billions of ticks per seconds. |
| MHz-(megahertz)- | speed of a processor counted by millions of ticks per second |
| System Unit | The container that hold the motherboard to which all computer systems connect. |
| Motherboard | The main circuit of a computer system components connect. |
| BIOS | Basic Input/Output System Lowest level software in the computer that acts as an interface between the hardware of the operating system |
| ROM | Read Only Memory Contain permanently written data called firmware that loads the operating system when first powered on |
| Cache | small, high speed memory between the processor and system memory. Faster than RAM |
| Hard Disk Drive | A storage system consisting of one or more metal magnetic disks permanently sealed with an access mechanism inside its drive |
| MB,Megabyte | Storage measurement in millions of bytes |
| GB,Gigabyte | Storage measurement in billions of bytes |
| TB,Terabyte | Storage measurement in trillions of bytes |
| Random Access Memory | provides a high speed, temporary location for the computer to hold data and program instructions |
| Bit | The smallest unit of computing, consists of either a 0 or 1 |
| Byte | 8 bits makes 1 byte |
| Video Graphic Adapter | Enables the connection of a monitor and may provide additional graphics capabilities |
| Network Interface Card | Enables a PC to connect to a network |
| Optical Drive | Adds read and write capabilities to your computer for portability |
| Monitor | A display device that projects images onto a display screen |
| Keyboard | A panel of keys that operate a computer or typewriter |
| Mouse | A mouse is a hand-held pointing device that detects two-dimensional motion relative to a surface. |
| Power supply | A power supply is a component that supplies power to at least one electric load. |