| A | B |
|---|
| address bus | Wires leading from the CPU to the memory controller chip (usually the Northbridge) that enable the CPU to address RAM. |
| arithmetic logic unit (ALU) | Our friend, man in the box. |
| backside bus | Set of wires that connect to the CPU to Level 2 Cache. |
| binary | Number system with a base of 2, unlike the number systems most of us use that have bases of 10 (decimal numbers), 12 (measurement in feet and inches), and 60 (time). |
| bit | Single binary digit. Also, any device that can be in and on or off state. |
| byte | Unit of eight bits; fundamental data unit of personal computers. |
| cache | Special area of RAM that stores the data most frequently accessed from the hard drive. Cache memory can optimize the use of your systems. |
| (CPU) central processing unit | The big chip inside your computer that many people often describe as the brain of the system. |
| Centrino | Marketing name for an Intel laptop solution including the mobile processor, support chips and wireless networking. |
| clock cycle | Single charge to the clock wire of a CPU. |
| clock-multiplying CPU | CPU that takes the incoming clock signal and multiplies it inside the CPU to let the internal circuitry of the CPU run faster. |
| clock speed | Speed at which a CPU executes instructions, measure in MHz or GHz. In modern CPUs, the internal speed is a multiple of the external speed. |
| clock wire | Charge on the CLK wire to tell the CPU that another piece of information is waiting to be processed. |
| dual core | These types of CPUs have two execution units on the same physical chip but share caches and RAM. |
| dynamic RAM (DRAM) | Uses both a constant electrical charge and a periodic refresh of the circuits; otherwise, it loses data - that's what makes it dynamic rather than static in content. |
| external data bus (EDB) | Primary data highway of all computers. |
| floating poing unit (FPU) | The integer unit that works at any execution stage. |
| frontside bus | Wires that connect the CPU to the main system RAM. Generally running at speeds of 66-133 MHz. |
| heat dope (thermal compound) | Paste-like material with very high heat-transfer properties. Applied between the CPU and the cooling device, it ensures the best possible dispersal of heat from the CPU. |
| instruction set | All of the machine-language commands that a particular CPU is designed to understand. |
| machine language | Binary instruction code that is understood by the CPU. |
| memory | Device or medium for temporary storage of programs and data during program execution. |
| memory controller chip (MMC) | Chip that handles memory requests from the CPU. Although once a special chip, it has been integrated into the chipset on all PCs today. |
| microprocessor | "Brain" of a computer. Primary computer chip that determines relative speed and capabilities of the computer. |
| multimedia extensions (MMX) | Specific CPU instructions that enable a CPU to handle many multimedia functions, such as digital signal processing. |
| overclocking | To run a CPU or video processor faster than its rated speed. |
| parallel processing | When a multicore CPU processes more than one thread. |
| pipeline | Processing methodology where multiple calculations take place simultaneously by being broken into a series of steps. |
| program | Series of binary electronic commands sent to a CPU to get work done. |
| random access memory (RAM) | Memory that can be accessed at random; that is, which you can write to or read from without touching the preceding address. A computer's main memory. |
| registers | Storage area inside the CPU used by the onboard logic to perform calculations. |
| single-edge cartridge (SEC) | CPU package where the CPU was contained in a cartridge that snapped into a special slot on the motherboard called Slot 1. |
| single-edge processor (SEP) | The Celerons that included a protective covering. |
| static RAM (SRAM) | RAM that uses a flip-flop circuit rather than the typical transistor/capacitor of DRAM to hold a bit of information. |
| system crystal | Crystal that provides the speed signals for the CPU and the rest of the system. |
| System Management Mode (SMM) | Provided CPUs the ability to turn off high-power devices (monitors, hard drives, etc.). |
| throttling | Power reduction/thermal control capability allowing CPUs to slow down during low activity or high heat build-up situations. |
| voltage regulator module (VRM) | Small card supplied with some CPUs to ensure that the CPU gets correct voltage. |
| wait state | Occurs when the CPU has to wait for RAM to provide code. Also known as pipeline stalls. |
| zero insertion force (ZIF) socket | Socket for CPUs that enables insertion of a chip without the need to apply pressure. |
